Finance and Financial Management Services at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

Rasmussen's finance program sits in the middle of the pack in North Dakota but trails the national field, with graduates earning about $6,000 less than the typical finance major nationwide in their first year. Within the state's limited options, it ranks right at the median—40th percentile—placing it behind both North Dakota State ($53,163) and UND ($49,785). That said, the debt load here is notably lighter than competitors, with graduates owing about $31,000 compared to the state median of $25,542 and national median of $23,332.

The 34% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates gain traction as they establish themselves, reaching nearly $64,000 by mid-career. This growth trajectory helps offset the modest starting salary. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 is manageable—you're looking at debt equal to about eight months of first-year salary, which isn't alarming for a bachelor's degree. The school serves a significant number of Pell Grant recipients (46%), indicating accessibility for students from lower-income backgrounds.

For families prioritizing affordability and geographic convenience in North Dakota, this program offers a workable path into finance with reasonable debt. However, if your child can gain admission to NDSU or UND, those options provide stronger earning potential right out of the gate. The tradeoff here is accessibility versus immediate earning power.