Finance and Financial Management Services at Buena Vista University

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.