Finance and Financial Management Services at Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State's finance program lands solidly in the middle of Minnesota's competitive finance landscape—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—while keeping debt manageable at $22,900. Starting salaries of $47,734 trail state and national medians by about $5,000, but students aren't paying a premium for this regional option. The 22% earnings growth to $58,124 by year four suggests graduates find their footing in the job market, though they still lag behind peers from the state's top programs by $10,000 or more.

The debt picture deserves attention: while the absolute amount is reasonable, the real concern is that first-year salaries barely cover twice the debt load. For context, Minnesota's median finance graduate starts at $52,188—meaning Southwest Minnesota State graduates face a tougher financial position right out of the gate. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly in either direction.

For families choosing between Southwest Minnesota State and pricier Twin Cities options, this comes down to total cost. If the net price after scholarships makes this substantially cheaper than alternatives, the slower career start might be worth it. But if costs are comparable, the state's stronger programs offer materially better earning potential from day one.