Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Sacred Heart University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$56,081

60th percentile

Median Debt

$27,000

16% above national median

Analysis

Sacred Heart's finance graduates start near the middle of the pack but show impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 34% to nearly $75,000 by year four. That $56,000 starting salary matches Connecticut's median for finance programs, though it trails UConn's $67,000 by a noticeable margin. Still, the strong earnings trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing quickly in Connecticut's competitive financial services market.

The debt picture is notably favorable—$27,000 sits below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 that makes the degree manageable from day one. Ranking in the 5th percentile nationally for debt means 95% of finance programs saddle students with more loans. Given Connecticut's high cost of living, keeping debt this controlled matters.

The core question is whether you're comfortable with a middle-tier starting point in exchange for reasonable debt and solid growth potential. Sacred Heart isn't competing with UConn's immediate earning power, but the combination of controlled borrowing and steady salary progression makes this a practical choice for students who need to enter the workforce without overwhelming debt. If your child is targeting investment banking or top-tier finance roles, the higher-earning Connecticut programs might justify their likely higher costs—but for mainstream finance careers, Sacred Heart delivers value through its debt management.

Where Sacred Heart University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Sacred Heart 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
Sacred Heart University	$56,081	$74,953	+34%
Fairfield University	$62,952	$98,540	+57%
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus	$67,009	$87,592	+31%
University of Connecticut	$67,009	$87,592	+31%
University of Connecticut-Avery Point	$67,009	$87,592	+31%

Compare to Similar Programs in Connecticut

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Connecticut (16 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield	$48,460	$56,081	$74,953	$27,000	0.48
University of Connecticut-StamfordStamford	$17,472	$67,009	$87,592	$20,399	0.30
University of Connecticut-Avery PointGroton	$17,462	$67,009	$87,592	$20,399	0.30
University of ConnecticutStorrs	$20,366	$67,009	$87,592	$20,399	0.30
University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusWaterbury	$17,462	$67,009	$87,592	$20,399	0.30
University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusHartford	$17,452	$67,009	$87,592	$20,399	0.30
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 Sacred Heart University, approximately 15% 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 88 graduates with reported earnings and 108 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.