Finance and Financial Management Services at Old Dominion University

Old Dominion's finance graduates earn significantly less than their peers—both nationally and especially within Virginia. Starting at $48,125, these graduates fall in just the 25th percentile among Virginia's nine finance programs, trailing the state median by nearly $15,000. That gap is stark when you consider that nearby competitors like Virginia Tech and James Madison produce graduates earning $66,000-$68,000 right out of the gate. Even nationally, ODU finance grads land in the bottom quarter of earners.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $25,000, borrowing is manageable and only slightly above both state and national medians. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe about half their first-year salary—workable but not impressive given the modest starting point. The 21% earnings growth to $58,030 by year four helps, though that still leaves graduates well behind where many Virginia finance majors start their careers.

For Virginia families, this is a tough sell. ODU's high admission rate (91%) and accessible SAT requirements make it an attainable option, but the earnings data suggests significant opportunity cost. If your child can gain admission to Virginia Tech, George Mason, or James Madison—all public universities with comparable in-state tuition—those programs deliver substantially better financial outcomes. ODU finance makes sense primarily if these stronger programs aren't accessible, or if staying in Hampton Roads for family or job connections outweighs the $10,000-$20,000 annual earnings difference.