Median Earnings (1yr)
$69,094
95th percentile
80th percentile in Minnesota
Median Debt
$21,500
8% below national median

Analysis

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities runs one of the most lucrative finance programs in the countryβ€”graduates earn $69,094 in their first year, crushing both the national median ($53,590) and Minnesota's average ($52,188) by nearly $17,000. Among Minnesota's 21 finance programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, outearning even private universities like Augsburg and Concordia. Nationally, it's in the 95th percentile. The $21,500 median debt sits comfortably below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31β€”low enough that most graduates should manage repayment without stress.

The trajectory looks equally solid: earnings jump 27% to nearly $88,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are landing finance roles with genuine advancement potential rather than back-office positions that plateau early. Given the university's 77% admission rate, this represents an accessible path to top-tier finance outcomes without the Ivy League price tag or admissions lottery.

For families weighing Minnesota's finance options, this is the clear standout. You're getting elite-level career results at a public university price point, with debt levels that won't derail other financial goals. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these aren't outlier resultsβ€”this is the program's actual track record.

Where University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$69,094$87,799+27%
University of St Thomas$66,006$81,390+23%
University of Minnesota-Duluth$51,953$71,475+38%
Winona State University$52,188$70,992+36%
Minnesota State University-Mankato$51,248$68,997+35%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

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

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis$16,488$69,094$87,799$21,5000.31
University of St ThomasSaint Paul$52,284$66,006$81,390$26,2500.40
Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis$43,942$63,598$64,401$27,0000.42
Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead$30,020$59,104β€”β€”β€”
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona$43,160$58,451β€”$27,0000.46
The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth$40,454$52,677β€”$23,0000.44
National Medianβ€”$53,590β€”$23,3320.44

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 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, approximately 17% 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 285 graduates with reported earnings and 270 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.