Finance and Financial Management Services at Central Washington University

Based on comparable finance programs in Washington, Central Washington's estimated $17,074 in debt stands out as notably lower than both the state median of $18,418 and especially the national median of $23,332. That lighter debt load paired with estimated first-year earnings of $56,385 creates a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly three months' salary, a manageable starting point for a finance career.

The earnings estimate aligns with Washington's median for finance programs, though it trails the University of Washington campuses by about $7,000. Still, at nearly $3,000 above the national median for finance degrees, these figures suggest Washington's job market generally rewards finance graduates well. For a school with a 90% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, Central Washington appears positioned in the practical middle of the state's finance education landscape—not commanding top-tier salaries, but delivering competitive outcomes without loading students with excessive debt.

The key limitation here is that these are estimates based on peer programs, not tracked outcomes from Central Washington itself. For a family evaluating this program, the reasonable debt burden is the clearest advantage, while the earnings potential will depend heavily on where your child lands their first job and how aggressively they pursue opportunities in Seattle or other financial centers versus staying in Central Washington.