Finance and Financial Management Services at Hofstra University

Hofstra's finance program stands out for its strong earnings trajectory rather than its starting salary. While first-year graduates earn $55,143—just slightly above the state median—incomes jump 40% by year four to reach $76,953. That's impressive growth, placing this program in the 60th percentile among New York's 47 finance programs, where many students compete for the same Wall Street and corporate finance roles.

The debt picture reinforces this as a reasonable investment: $24,875 is roughly in line with both national and state norms for finance programs, translating to a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. Within four years, graduates are earning triple their debt load, which provides breathing room for aggressive loan repayment or saving. However, Hofstra still lags significantly behind elite programs like Fordham ($83,789 median earnings) and Binghamton ($73,598), suggesting that brand and network matter considerably in New York's competitive finance market.

The takeaway: This program offers solid upward mobility for students who may not access top-tier schools, with debt levels that won't hamstring early-career financial decisions. The four-year earnings suggest graduates are successfully transitioning into better-paying analyst and associate roles, though they're starting from a lower base than competitors at more selective institutions.