Finance and Financial Management Services at Lincoln Memorial University

Finance degrees in Tennessee typically launch graduates into the low-to-mid $40,000s, and Lincoln Memorial appears positioned right in that range. Based on comparable programs across the state, first-year earnings around $45,300 suggest this program delivers outcomes similar to UT-Martin and slightly ahead of Memphis, though it trails the flagship campus in Knoxville by about $8,500. The estimated $25,800 in debt falls slightly above both state and national medians for finance programs, though the resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 remains manageable.

The gap between Tennessee outcomes and the national median of $53,600 is worth noting—finance graduates from peer programs in this state earn roughly $8,000 less than their counterparts nationwide in that first year. Whether that reflects Tennessee's cost of living advantage or genuinely weaker career placement depends partly on where your student plans to work after graduation. If they're targeting financial centers outside the region, the lower starting point becomes more concerning.

For families comfortable with $26,000 in debt and realistic about Tennessee-market salaries, this appears workable. The real question is whether Lincoln Memorial's finance program—which serves a small enough cohort that the DOE can't publish individual outcomes—offers networking and placement support that justifies choosing it over larger state programs with established track records. The numbers suggest it's in the game, but you'll want concrete answers about career services and employer relationships.