Median Earnings (1yr)
$58,451
69th percentile (60th in MN)
Median Debt
$27,000
16% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.46
Manageable
Sample Size
20
Limited data

Analysis

Saint Mary's finance graduates start at $58,451—nearly $5,000 above the national median and $6,000 more than Minnesota's typical finance program. Among the state's 21 finance programs, this places them in the 60th percentile, trailing only the Twin Cities powerhouses (University of Minnesota at $69K, St. Thomas at $66K) and a few select schools. For a university with an 89% admission rate in a small Minnesota town, these outcomes punch above their weight class.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $27,000, graduates owe just slightly more than average but face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46—meaning they'd need less than six months of gross income to cover their loans. That's significantly better than most finance programs nationally (5th percentile for debt burden). The combination of above-average earnings and manageable debt creates a realistic path to financial stability right out of college.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs. Still, if your child wants a finance career without the pressure of elite school admissions or crushing debt, Saint Mary's delivers competitive results at a fraction of the financial risk you'd face at comparable programs.

Where Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Stands

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

Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaOther finance and financial management services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates compare to all programs nationally

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn $58k, placing them in the 69th percentile of all finance and financial management services bachelors programs nationally.

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (21 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota$58,451$27,0000.46
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$69,094$87,799$21,5000.31
University of St Thomas$66,006$81,390$26,2500.40
Augsburg University$63,598$64,401$27,0000.42
Concordia College at Moorhead$59,104
The College of Saint Scholastica$52,677$23,0000.44
National Median$53,590$23,3320.44

Other Finance and Financial Management Services Programs in Minnesota

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis
$16,488$69,094$21,500
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul
$52,284$66,006$26,250
Augsburg University
Minneapolis
$43,942$63,598$27,000
Concordia College at Moorhead
Moorhead
$30,020$59,104
The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth
$40,454$52,677$23,000

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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, approximately 22% 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 20 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.