Finance and Financial Management Services at Menlo College

Menlo College's finance program launches graduates at nearly $70,000—$16,000 above the national median and placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That's impressive until you look closer: among California's 25 finance programs, this lands at just the 60th percentile, and graduates here carry $24,500 in debt versus a state median of $15,663. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, making this more of a snapshot than a reliable pattern.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 is manageable—graduates earn roughly three times their debt in that first year. But the real question is whether this represents good value when nearby Santa Clara and University of San Francisco place graduates $10,000-$15,000 higher with similar or better debt profiles. Menlo's 68% admission rate suggests less selectivity than top-tier competitors, yet the outcomes land solidly in the middle of California's finance landscape.

For families prioritizing immediate earning power over national prestige, this works—$70,000 beats most states' finance programs. But if you're already paying California tuition rates and taking on above-state-average debt, understand that several accessible California programs deliver stronger outcomes. The small cohort size also means less networking power and more volatility in results. This is a defensible choice for a student who thrives in smaller settings, not a financial slam dunk.