Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,785
Est. from ND median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,812
Est. from national median (159 programs)

Analysis

A finance degree from University of Mary appears to track closely with what similar programs produce across North Dakotaβ€”estimated first-year earnings around $49,785β€”but falls about $4,000 short of the national median for finance bachelor's degrees. With estimated debt of $25,812, graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary, a manageable ratio that suggests they could reasonably handle repayment if they land typical finance roles.

The challenge is the ceiling. North Dakota State's finance graduates reportedly earn $53,163 in their first year, demonstrating that stronger outcomes exist within the state. Meanwhile, the national 75th percentile sits at $60,032, showing that top-performing finance programs elsewhere deliver substantially more earning power. For a field where career advancement often depends on your employer's resources and your professional network, starting in North Dakota's smaller market could limit long-term trajectory compared to finance hubs.

The bottom line: this program looks financially sound for a student planning to work in North Dakota's banking or corporate finance sector, where the debt load won't overwhelm early earnings. But if your child has ambitions for investment banking, wealth management, or corporate finance in larger markets, comparing this estimated outcome to programs with reported data in those regions would be essential before committing.

Where University of Mary Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Dakota

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Dakota (7 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of MaryBismarck$21,468$49,785*β€”$25,812*β€”
North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo$10,857$53,163*$62,889$25,542*0.48
University of North DakotaGrand Forks$10,951$49,785*$56,582$24,093*0.48
Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo$12,715$47,744*$63,775$31,000*0.65
National Medianβ€”$53,590*β€”$23,332*0.44
* Estimated from similar programs

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 University of Mary, approximately 18% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in ND. Actual outcomes may vary.