Finance and Financial Management Services at Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State's finance program sits squarely in the middle of Minnesota's offerings, with graduates earning $51,544 initially and $57,869 by year four—landing at the 40th percentile statewide. While that's about 8% below what the typical Minnesota finance graduate earns, it's paired with student debt that's among the lowest in the country at just $31,000. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, most graduates should manage their loans comfortably, especially as earnings grow steadily over the first four years.

The real consideration here is opportunity cost. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates start at $69,094—a $17,000 premium over Metropolitan State—though likely with higher debt and tougher admissions. For students who can't access those selective programs, Metropolitan State offers a reasonable path into finance careers without crushing debt. The school's 96% admission rate and substantial Pell grant population (44%) suggest it serves students who might not have other four-year options.

This program works best for students who need an accessible entry point to finance and value keeping debt manageable over maximizing starting salary. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers, though they won't match what Minnesota's top finance programs deliver.