Finance and Financial Management Services at University of Dayton

University of Dayton's finance program delivers strong absolute outcomes—graduates earn $64,371 in their first year, nearly $11,000 above the national median for finance majors. That 86th percentile national ranking signals genuine quality. However, within Ohio's competitive finance landscape, the picture is more nuanced. At the 60th percentile statewide, Dayton sits comfortably in the middle of Ohio programs but trails flagship competitors like Ohio State and Miami by $6,000-$7,000 in starting salary.

The financial fundamentals are solid. With $22,750 in median debt—below both state and national medians—graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35. First-year earnings could cover the entire debt load in about five months, and the 15% earnings growth to nearly $74,000 by year four shows healthy career progression. The robust sample size gives these numbers real credibility.

For an Ohio family, this comes down to cost and fit. If your child receives merit aid that narrows the price gap with Ohio State or Miami, Dayton offers comparable value with its strong Catholic business network. But if you're paying full freight at a selective admission university (62% acceptance rate, 1313 SAT), make sure the total cost aligns with that middle-of-the-pack Ohio performance. The outcomes are reliably good, just not exceptional for the state.