Median Earnings (1yr)
$56,485
61st percentile
40th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Debt
$25,500
9% above national median

Analysis

La Salle's finance program puts graduates on a solid upward trajectory, with earnings jumping 27% from $56,485 to nearly $72,000 over four years. That steady climb matters more than the initial salary, which falls slightly below Pennsylvania's median for finance programs. The $25,500 debt load is manageable—graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, and that ratio improves significantly as earnings grow. This represents better value than 70% of finance programs nationally when it comes to debt burden.

The story gets more nuanced when looking at Pennsylvania's competitive landscape. While La Salle outperforms the national benchmark, it sits in the 40th percentile among in-state options, with schools like Villanova and Lehigh commanding substantially higher starting salaries. However, those elite programs likely come with steeper tuition and selectivity hurdles. For families prioritizing reasonable debt over prestige—especially given La Salle's 86% admission rate—this program offers accessible entry into finance careers with clear earning potential.

The four-year earnings data suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into better-paying roles, which is exactly what you want to see in finance. If your child can get into one of Pennsylvania's top-tier finance programs, that may offer more immediate earning power. But La Salle provides a viable path to a solid finance career without crushing debt, particularly valuable for the third of students here receiving Pell grants.

Where La Salle University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How La Salle University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
La Salle University$56,485$71,973+27%
University of Pennsylvania$122,698$206,646+68%
Villanova University$82,008$110,166+34%
Lehigh University$76,720$107,260+40%
Muhlenberg College$61,304$91,304+49%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (49 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia$35,570$56,485$71,973$25,5000.45
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia$66,104$122,698$206,646$12,8650.10
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$82,008$110,166$26,1970.32
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem$62,180$76,720$107,260$23,2500.30
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia$51,340$66,072$85,648$25,0000.38
Widener UniversityChester$53,638$62,672$26,9800.43
National Median$53,590$23,3320.44

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 La Salle University, approximately 33% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 56 graduates with reported earnings and 60 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.