Finance and Financial Management Services at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State's finance program shows concerning performance even by Alabama standards. The $39,457 starting salary trails the state median by over $11,000 and ranks in just the 25th percentile among Alabama's finance programs—meaning three-quarters of finance students at other Alabama schools earn more. Compare this to nearby Auburn ($55,875) or University of Alabama ($55,580), where finance graduates earn roughly $16,000 more right out of the gate. While the program keeps debt manageable at $14,875, that silver lining doesn't offset earning 26% below the state median for the same degree.

The earnings do grow 18% to $46,653 by year four, but graduates still lag significantly behind peers who started at higher-paying programs. At the national level, this program ranks in just the 5th percentile—meaning 95% of finance programs nationwide produce better-earning graduates. For a field like finance where starting salary often determines your career trajectory, this gap matters considerably.

The data comes from a small sample, so individual outcomes could vary. However, unless your child has compelling reasons to attend JSU specifically—scholarships, family circumstances, or a particular faculty connection—the numbers suggest looking at Alabama's stronger finance programs first. The manageable debt is genuinely positive, but earning $11,000 less annually than Alabama peers compounds quickly over a career.