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

Median Earnings (1yr)

$72,819

95th percentile

80th percentile in New York

Median Debt

$27,000

16% above national median

Analysis

Syracuse's Whitman School of Business delivers exceptional results for finance majors, with first-year earnings of $72,819 placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among New York programs—well above the state median of $51,244. That $21,000 premium over typical New York finance graduates represents real market differentiation, likely reflecting Syracuse's extensive alumni network and strong Wall Street recruiting pipelines. The 25% earnings growth to $91,086 by year four shows graduates aren't just landing good first jobs—they're building careers with momentum.

The $27,000 debt load is notably reasonable for a private university program, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37—meaning graduates earn back their full debt in just over four months of work. This positions Syracuse as a surprisingly efficient investment despite private school tuition, especially when compared to other New York finance programs where students often pay more for significantly weaker outcomes. Only Fordham and Binghamton produce higher earnings among state competitors.

For families who can manage the upfront cost of Syracuse's tuition (or secure adequate financial aid), this program offers clear value: top-tier earnings, manageable debt, and trajectory into competitive finance roles. The combination of strong starting salaries and healthy growth suggests graduates are accessing quality opportunities, not just any finance job.

Where Syracuse University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Syracuse 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
Syracuse University	$72,819	$91,086	+25%
Fordham University	$83,789	$112,777	+35%
Binghamton University	$73,598	$94,174	+28%
Rochester Institute of Technology	$56,513	$86,145	+52%
Manhattan University	$55,972	$82,252	+47%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (47 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse	$63,061	$72,819	$91,086	$27,000	0.37
Fordham UniversityBronx	$61,992	$83,789	$112,777	$26,850	0.32
Binghamton UniversityVestal	$10,363	$73,598	$94,174	$15,000	0.20
Pace UniversityNew York	$51,424	$61,246	$81,127	$26,000	0.42
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester	$57,016	$56,513	$86,145	$23,250	0.41
Manhattan UniversityRiverdale	$50,850	$55,972	$82,252	$26,323	0.47
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 Syracuse University, approximately 16% 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 208 graduates with reported earnings and 175 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.