Analysis
Calvin's finance program sits right at Michigan's median for first-year earnings—around $56,800 based on comparable programs statewide—but trails the state's heavyweight finance schools by $10,000 or more. Michigan State leads at $68,103, while Oakland and Central Michigan both place graduates above $60,000. That gap matters when you're looking at similar debt loads across these programs.
The estimated $26,000 in debt translates to a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is manageable but not exceptional. Similar programs in Michigan typically saddle graduates with $24,000 in debt, so Calvin appears roughly in line with state norms. Monthly loan payments would run about $290 on a standard repayment plan—tolerable on a $57,000 salary, but tight enough that early career financial choices will matter.
What's harder to assess here is Calvin's specific value proposition. The school's low Pell percentage (14%) and solid SAT scores (1205) suggest a more affluent student body, which often correlates with better networking opportunities and internship access. But without actual outcomes data for Calvin's finance graduates specifically, you're essentially betting on the general strength of Michigan finance programs rather than proven results from this particular school. If you can, talk directly to recent Calvin finance alumni about their job placement outcomes before committing.
Where Calvin University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (30 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,670 | $56,804* | — | $25,990* | — | |
| $15,988 | $68,103* | $79,866 | $23,250* | 0.34 | |
| $14,694 | $61,804* | $78,839 | $23,944* | 0.39 | |
| $14,190 | $60,023* | $65,653 | $26,672* | 0.44 | |
| $55,746 | $59,926* | — | $24,979* | 0.42 | |
| — | $58,735* | $60,192 | $14,012* | 0.24 | |
| National Median | — | $53,590* | — | $23,332* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Personal Financial Advisors
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Insurance Underwriters
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 Calvin University, approximately 14% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 17 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.