Finance and Financial Management Services at Quincy University

A $25,500 debt load for a finance degree may seem manageable—and by national standards, it's slightly above the median for this field—but comparable programs in Illinois typically place graduates at around $53,900 in first-year earnings, which means you'd be looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5. That's a reasonable starting point. However, the challenge becomes clearer when you see what other Illinois schools achieve: the top finance programs in the state produce first-year earnings ranging from $61,000 to over $75,000, creating a significant earnings gap that compounds over time.

The reality is that finance is a field where institutional reputation and alumni networks matter enormously for landing those higher-paying analyst and corporate finance roles. While Quincy's 50% admission rate suggests accessibility, the estimated outcomes here cluster right at the state median rather than above it. That's not necessarily a problem if your child values the smaller school environment and graduates with minimal debt, but it does mean they'd likely need to be more strategic about internships, certifications like the CFA, or relocating to financial hubs to compete with graduates from Illinois's flagship programs.

If Quincy offers a strong scholarship that brings actual borrowing well below the $25,500 estimate, this becomes more defensible. Without that discount, you're paying private school prices for middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a credential-conscious field.