Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Central Michigan University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$60,023

75th percentile

60th percentile in Michigan

Median Debt

$26,672

14% above national median

Analysis

Central Michigan University's finance program delivers strong returns that challenge its accessibility-focused reputation. With first-year earnings of $60,023, graduates outpace the national median by nearly $6,500 and land in the 75th percentile nationally. That's impressive for a school with a 91% acceptance rate and average SAT scores around 1100.

The real story emerges in the debt comparison. At $26,672 in median borrowing, CMU sits below both national and state averages—landing in just the 12th percentile nationally for debt burden. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning graduates earn more than double their debt in their first year alone. While CMU ranks 60th percentile among Michigan finance programs (trailing powerhouses like Michigan State's $68,103), the combination of solid earnings and moderate debt tilts the value equation favorably.

Four-year earnings growth of 9% isn't spectacular but shows steady progression, and the program's robust sample size eliminates concerns about data reliability. For families prioritizing financial stability over prestige, CMU offers a straightforward path: accessible admission requirements, manageable debt, and earnings that compete effectively across Michigan's finance landscape. The roughly $7,000 earning gap compared to Michigan State matters less when you consider students aren't shouldering crushing debt loads to get there.

Where Central Michigan University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Central Michigan 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
Central Michigan University	$60,023	$65,653	+9%
Michigan State University	$68,103	$79,866	+17%
Oakland University	$61,804	$78,839	+28%
University of Michigan-Dearborn	$58,438	$71,075	+22%
Saginaw Valley State University	$46,284	$70,100	+51%

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
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant	$14,190	$60,023	$65,653	$26,672	0.44
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing	$15,988	$68,103	$79,866	$23,250	0.34
Oakland UniversityRochester Hills	$14,694	$61,804	$78,839	$23,944	0.39
Albion CollegeAlbion	$55,746	$59,926	—	$24,979	0.42
Walsh CollegeTroy	—	$58,735	$60,192	$14,012	0.24
University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn	$14,944	$58,438	$71,075	$22,150	0.38
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 Central Michigan University, approximately 31% 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 160 graduates with reported earnings and 147 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.