Finance and Financial Management Services at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's finance program places graduates in the upper half of Missouri programs while keeping debt manageable—a solid combination for a school with an 81% admission rate. First-year earnings of $60,055 land near the national 75th percentile and comfortably above Missouri's median of $49,785. Among the state's 21 finance programs, only Washington University (at $102k) and Columbia College significantly outperform it, suggesting SLU strikes a reasonable balance between prestige and practical outcomes.

The debt picture reinforces this value story. At $21,268, graduates carry slightly less than both state and national medians, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35—meaning roughly four months of gross salary covers the typical loan balance. That's manageable by any standard, especially for finance majors who can expect meaningful salary growth as they build experience. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers represent real outcomes, not statistical noise.

For families weighing SLU against cheaper in-state options like Missouri State or UCM, the earnings premium is substantial—about $10,000 more in year one—without proportionally higher debt. If you're already considering a private Jesuit university for the campus experience, this finance program delivers competitive career results without the financial strain that often accompanies private education.