Analysis
Ohio's finance programs show a stark divide, and Marietta College appears to land somewhere in the middle based on what comparable programs suggest. The state's top finance programs—Miami University, Case Western, and Ohio State—place graduates into $65,000-$71,000 first-year roles, while peer programs at similar institutions suggest Marietta's graduates might earn closer to $58,790. That's roughly $7,000-$13,000 less annually than the state's leaders, though it still exceeds the national median for finance bachelor's programs.
The estimated $27,000 debt load produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first year's salary. This sits above both the state and national median debt levels for finance programs, though the gap isn't dramatic. The real question is whether that debt premium buys meaningful career advantage—and based on the earnings estimates drawn from similar Ohio programs, that's less clear. Parents should recognize they're looking at projection data here because Marietta's graduate cohort in finance is too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes.
The practical calculus: if your child can access one of Ohio's flagship finance programs, the earnings data suggests a material advantage. But if Marietta offers substantially better financial aid or your child thrives in smaller settings (which may explain the limited cohort size), the estimated debt-to-earnings picture isn't alarming—it's just not exceptional either.
Where Marietta College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (43 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,974 | $58,790* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $17,809 | $71,203* | $88,554 | $22,000* | 0.31 | |
| $64,671 | $65,784* | $77,380 | $26,048* | 0.40 | |
| $12,859 | $65,181* | $82,036 | $20,500* | 0.31 | |
| $47,600 | $64,371* | $73,975 | $22,750* | 0.35 | |
| $9,577 | $61,645* | $57,012 | $33,949* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $53,590* | — | $23,332* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Personal Financial Advisors
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Insurance Underwriters
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 Marietta College, approximately 27% 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 26 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.