Finance and Financial Management Services at Christian Brothers University

Finance graduates from Christian Brothers University face a debt load that's heavier than most of their Tennessee peers, with estimated figures suggesting $25,812 in loans—about $5,300 above the state median for this major. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 means graduates would dedicate more than half of their first year's salary just to cover what they owe, assuming they land near the estimated $45,325 starting salary that similar Tennessee programs produce.

The earnings picture itself isn't alarming—comparable programs across Tennessee cluster right around this $45,000 mark—but it trails the national finance median by roughly $8,000. Given CBU's 88% admission rate and relatively modest test scores, this isn't a selective business program commanding premium salaries. Combined with above-average debt, the economics lean unfavorable compared to in-state alternatives like UT-Knoxville, where finance majors report starting salaries near $54,000.

For parents weighing this investment, the core question is whether CBU's smaller, faith-based environment justifies taking on extra debt for returns that peer Tennessee programs achieve at lower cost. That additional $5,000+ in loans matters when your child's starting salary may not differ meaningfully from what state universities produce. If the campus culture is essential to your family, budget accordingly—but financially, this isn't the strongest value proposition among Tennessee's finance programs.