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

Median Earnings (1yr)

$41,176

5th percentile

40th percentile in Tennessee

Median Debt

$16,087

31% below national median

Analysis

Tennessee Tech's finance program delivers something rare: genuinely affordable debt paired with earnings that need honest scrutiny. At just $16,087 in median debt—dramatically below both the national median of $23,332 and Tennessee's $20,500—graduates walk away with minimal financial burden. That 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means students could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross salary.

The challenge is where those salaries land. Starting at $41,176, earnings trail the state median by about $4,000 and fall well short of what UT-Knoxville grads earn ($53,826). That 40th percentile ranking among Tennessee programs means this sits squarely in the middle of state options—not concerning, but not competitive with flagship alternatives. The trajectory improves: by year four, graduates reach $49,735, a solid 21% jump that closes some of the gap with peers. This isn't the finance program for students chasing investment banking salaries, but it won't bury them in debt either.

For families prioritizing financial safety over top-tier earning potential, this works. The low debt burden creates flexibility early in a graduate's career—they can take lower-paying opportunities to build experience without drowning in loan payments. Just understand you're trading lower immediate earnings for that security, especially compared to UT-Knoxville or even Middle Tennessee State, which both deliver stronger salary outcomes at graduation.

Where Tennessee Technological University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Tennessee Technological 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
Tennessee Technological University	$41,176	$49,735	+21%
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	$53,826	$68,331	+27%
University of Memphis	$44,395	$60,358	+36%
East Tennessee State University	$39,936	$54,144	+36%
Middle Tennessee State University	$46,505	$51,478	+11%

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

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

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville	$10,084	$41,176	$49,735	$16,087	0.39
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville	$13,484	$53,826	$68,331	$23,250	0.43
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville	$8,675	$48,264	—	$17,500	0.36
Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro	$9,506	$46,505	$51,478	$22,700	0.49
The University of Tennessee-MartinMartin	$10,208	$45,325	$49,162	$20,500	0.45
University of MemphisMemphis	$10,344	$44,395	$60,358	$27,000	0.61
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 Tennessee Technological University, approximately 31% 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 39 graduates with reported earnings and 36 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.