Finance and Financial Management Services at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State's finance program produces earnings that lag significantly behind other Ohio options. At $49,425 one year out, graduates earn about $9,400 less than the Ohio median for finance majors—ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide. That gap is particularly striking given that Ohio State, Case Western, and even mid-tier programs like University of Dayton all launch graduates at $64,000+. The program does show decent earnings growth to $58,100 by year four, but even at that point, graduates are still earning less than their peers made fresh out of college at stronger programs.

The debt load is reasonable at $24,365, creating a manageable first-year ratio of 0.49. However, reasonable debt doesn't offset below-average earnings. With a 95% admission rate and average SAT scores around 980, Cleveland State serves many students who might not have access to more selective programs. For those students, this represents a path to a finance career, albeit one that starts at a lower salary tier. The 39% Pell Grant rate suggests the school serves economically disadvantaged students who may be balancing cost against opportunity.

For families with options, stronger Ohio programs deliver substantially better outcomes. But for students who need the accessibility Cleveland State provides—whether due to academics, finances, or location—this program offers a viable entry point to finance careers, even if earnings won't match graduates from more competitive schools.