Finance and Financial Management Services at University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota's finance program lands graduates right at the state median for earnings but trails the national benchmark by about $4,000 in starting salary. At $49,785 initially, graduates here earn less than peers at North Dakota State, though the gap narrows to about $3,000 by year four as earnings grow to $56,582. Within North Dakota's small finance market, this program sits comfortably above the bottom tier, ranking at the 60th percentile statewide—but that same performance places it in just the 29th percentile nationally, underscoring how North Dakota's finance sector overall lags behind coastal markets.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $24,093, borrowing is close to the national median and actually below the state average. That translates to a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first year's salary. The 14% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests steady career progression, though the moderate sample size means individual outcomes may vary more than these medians suggest.

For families planning to stay in North Dakota, this program delivers middle-of-the-pack results without excessive debt. But if your student has ambitions for high-finance roles in major metros, they'll be starting behind peers from programs with stronger national placement. The value here depends heavily on geographic goals and career expectations.