Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,156
42nd percentile
60th percentile in Oregon
Median Debt
$22,041
6% below national median

Analysis

Oregon State's Cascades campus delivers a finance degree that performs solidly within Oregon, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—slightly ahead of both Portland State and the main OSU campus. With just seven programs in the state, this middle-of-the-pack performance means graduates are competitive with peers from Oregon's public flagships while carrying manageable debt of about $22,000.

The numbers tell a straightforward story: starting salaries of $52,000 grow to $63,000 by year four, a 21% increase that suggests steady career progression. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, well within comfortable repayment territory. Nationally, this program sits slightly below the median, but that gap ($1,400) is minimal enough that regional job market conditions and networking opportunities may matter more than the ranking suggests.

What stands out is the value consistency—this campus charges similar tuition to Oregon State's main campus and delivers comparable outcomes. For families seeking an OSU credential with the smaller campus feel of Bend, this represents fair value. The 68% admission rate makes this accessible to solid students, and the robust sample size confirms these aren't anomalous results. For students committed to finance careers in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest, this program provides a dependable path without the debt burden that sometimes accompanies private alternatives.

Where Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus$52,156$63,162+21%
University of Pennsylvania$122,698$206,646+68%
Linfield University$47,517$76,117+60%
Portland State University$52,859$65,045+23%
Oregon State University$52,156$63,162+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBend$12,594$52,156$63,162$22,0410.42
Portland State UniversityPortland$11,238$52,859$65,045$20,5700.39
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis$13,494$52,156$63,162$22,0410.42
Linfield UniversityMcMinnville$49,530$47,517$76,117$27,0000.57
National Median$53,590$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, approximately 28% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 112 graduates with reported earnings and 101 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.