Finance and Financial Management Services at National University

In California's competitive finance education market, where top programs like Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount report first-year earnings near $70,000-$80,000, this program's estimated $60,000 starting point—based on comparable California finance bachelor's programs—suggests solid but not exceptional outcomes. That figure aligns with both the state and national medians for finance degrees, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack rather than among California's standout programs.

The estimated $23,500 in debt tells a more reassuring story. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover their loans—a manageable burden that should allow for reasonable repayment timelines. This debt level sits close to the national median for finance programs and, importantly, well above the lower California state median of $15,663, though it's still within workable territory for a finance salary.

The real uncertainty here is whether National University's specific program delivers outcomes closer to the state median or to the lower end of the spectrum. Without actual graduate data, you're making an educated guess based on peer programs. If your child is drawn to National University's flexibility or approach, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but they should seriously explore those higher-performing California alternatives—especially if career outcomes and alumni networks matter significantly in their post-graduation plans.