Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Roger Williams University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$60,042

75th percentile

60th percentile in Rhode Island

Median Debt

$26,500

14% above national median

Analysis

Roger Williams University's finance program costs slightly less than the Rhode Island average ($26,500 vs. $26,976) while delivering first-year earnings that beat the national median by $6,500. More importantly, graduates see meaningful income growth—31% over four years—reaching nearly $79,000 by year four. That earnings trajectory matters more than the first-year number, especially when debt remains manageable at less than half of starting salary.

The program ranks in the 75th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile within Rhode Island, which reveals the state's unusually strong finance outcomes overall. Among eight in-state options, Roger Williams sits comfortably in the middle tier—behind Bryant and Providence College but ahead of Johnson & Wales. For families choosing based on in-state tuition, this positioning is reasonable given the relatively accessible admissions (88% acceptance rate) compared to more selective competitors.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is genuinely impressive—in the 15th percentile nationally, meaning 85% of finance programs leave students with worse debt burdens. For a private university in New England, graduating with under $27,000 in debt while earning $60,000 immediately represents solid financial positioning. Parents should feel confident this program won't leave their child overleveraged, even if it's not the highest-earning option in Rhode Island.

Where Roger Williams University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Roger Williams University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Roger Williams University	$60,042	$78,674	+31%
Providence College	$64,427	$83,063	+29%
Bryant University	$61,993	$81,995	+32%
University of Rhode Island	$50,529	$73,616	+46%
Johnson & Wales University-Providence	$53,555	$66,440	+24%

Compare to Similar Programs in Rhode Island

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Rhode Island (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Roger Williams UniversityBristol	$42,666	$60,042	$78,674	$26,500	0.44
Salve Regina UniversityNewport	$47,930	$66,034	—	$27,000	0.41
Providence CollegeProvidence	$60,848	$64,427	$83,063	$27,000	0.42
Bryant UniversitySmithfield	$51,169	$61,993	$81,995	$26,953	0.43
Johnson & Wales University-OnlineProvidence	$13,365	$53,555	$66,440	$27,000	0.50
Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence	$40,408	$53,555	$66,440	$27,000	0.50
National Median	—	$53,590	—	$23,332	0.44

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 Roger Williams University, approximately 16% 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 69 graduates with reported earnings and 75 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.