Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at High Point University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$51,628

Est. from NC median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,000

Est. from NC median (4 programs)

Analysis

A $21,000 debt load for a finance degree positions High Point's estimated outcomes favorably against both state and national benchmarks. Based on comparable finance programs in North Carolina, graduates entering the workforce at around $51,600 would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41—well below the cautionary threshold of 1.0 and manageable enough to pay down quickly with disciplined budgeting. The estimated debt sits below both the state median ($22,500) and national median ($23,332) for finance bachelor's programs.

The earnings picture requires more context. While $51,600 aligns with NC's median for finance programs, it trails significantly behind the state's top performers—Wake Forest graduates start at $86,000, and even mid-tier programs like Campbell post $60,000. High Point's 77% admission rate and limited Pell enrollment (11%) suggest a different student profile than these competitors, but the question remains whether the program delivers sufficient career preparation and industry connections to justify the investment at a private institution.

The relatively modest debt makes this less risky than many finance programs, but parents should recognize they're looking at peer program estimates rather than High Point's specific track record. The real value proposition depends on factors these numbers can't capture: internship pipelines, alumni networks in Charlotte's banking sector, and whether the program connects students to wealth management, corporate finance, or other specializations that command higher starting salaries.

Where High Point University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (19 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
High Point UniversityHigh Point	$44,208	$51,628*	—	$21,000*	—
Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem	$64,758	$85,944*	$113,398	$19,500*	0.23
Elon UniversityElon	$44,536	$66,614*	$87,590	$19,500*	0.29
Campbell UniversityBuies Creek	$40,410	$60,445*	$67,345	$25,000*	0.41
Appalachian State UniversityBoone	$7,541	$52,004*	$69,084	$21,267*	0.41
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte	$7,214	$51,628*	$65,028	$22,400*	0.43
National Median	—	$53,590*	—	$23,332*	0.44

* Estimated from similar programs

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 High Point University, approximately 11% 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 9 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.