Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Buena Vista University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$52,226

43rd percentile

40th percentile in Iowa

Median Debt

$27,000

16% above national median

Analysis

Buena Vista's finance program starts graduates at slightly below-average earnings ($52,226 versus the Iowa median of $52,759), but manages debt exceptionally well. At $27,000, students graduate with 10% more debt than the Iowa median, yet the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 remains comfortably manageable—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in just over six months of gross earnings.

What's more compelling is the trajectory: earnings jump 26% to $65,642 by year four, pushing past the state median and closing the gap with Iowa's stronger programs like Drake and Iowa State. This suggests the program equips graduates with skills that pay off as they gain experience, even if the immediate post-graduation placement isn't stellar. For context, this program ranks around the 40th percentile among Iowa finance programs—middle of the pack in a state with some genuinely strong options.

The moderate sample size means these numbers should be fairly reliable, and for families prioritizing low debt loads, Buena Vista delivers. However, if your child has the credentials for Drake or Iowa (and can manage the likely higher costs), those programs show meaningfully stronger starting salaries. For students who fit Buena Vista's profile—the school serves a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients—this represents a solid path into finance careers without crushing debt.

Where Buena Vista University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Buena Vista University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Buena Vista University	$52,226	$65,642	+26%
Drake University	$62,049	$81,311	+31%
University of Iowa	$59,965	$76,298	+27%
Iowa State University	$56,974	$64,793	+14%
Loras College	$59,434	$63,016	+6%

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (12 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake	$40,190	$52,226	$65,642	$27,000	0.52
Drake UniversityDes Moines	$49,944	$62,049	$81,311	$25,000	0.40
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$59,965	$76,298	$23,165	0.39
Loras CollegeDubuque	$38,298	$59,434	$63,016	$24,077	0.41
Iowa State UniversityAmes	$10,497	$56,974	$64,793	$21,750	0.38
Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport	$35,598	$56,275	$61,730	—	—
National Median	—	$53,590	—	$23,332	0.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Buena Vista University, approximately 43% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 51 graduates with reported earnings and 56 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.