Finance and Financial Management Services at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara's Finance program delivers exactly what selective private universities promise but often fail to provide: exceptional early earnings without crushing debt. Graduates start at nearly $80,000—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in California—while carrying just $16,201 in median debt. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their entire debt burden in under three months of gross earnings.

The comparison to California peers is telling. While Santa Clara trails University of Phoenix and Loyola Marymount in starting salaries, it achieves similar outcomes to these top programs while maintaining remarkably low debt loads. By year four, Santa Clara graduates reach $106,444, outpacing the state median by over 75%. This trajectory matters: the 33% earnings growth suggests graduates are landing roles with genuine advancement potential, not just high-paying entry-level positions that plateau quickly.

The small catch is Santa Clara's selectivity and cost structure—with only 11% of students on Pell grants, this opportunity skews toward families who can afford significant upfront costs. But for those who can access it, the program offers a rare combination: elite-level outcomes in both earnings and manageable debt, positioning graduates for strong financial returns from day one.