Finance and Financial Management Services at University of San Francisco

University of San Francisco's finance program launches graduates into strong six-figure earnings by year four, with median salaries jumping from $65,000 to $99,000—a 52% increase that outpaces typical career growth. While the first-year earnings of $65K place this program in the 88th percentile nationally, it's worth noting that among California's 25 finance programs, USF sits at the 60th percentile. That's respectable but not elite in a state where top programs like Santa Clara ($80K) and Loyola Marymount ($71K) deliver notably higher starting salaries.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,347, translating to a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should manage comfortably, especially given the strong earnings trajectory. However, this debt load is 55% higher than California's median for finance programs ($15,663), suggesting you're paying a San Francisco premium—literally. The moderate sample size means these figures should be reliable for decision-making.

The bottom line: If your child can commit to staying in finance, this program delivers genuine career acceleration into solid mid-career earnings. The higher-than-typical California debt is offset by that impressive four-year salary bump. But if starting salary matters most—perhaps for loan repayment or immediate post-grad expenses—spending less at a UC or CSU might make more financial sense than paying for USF's mid-tier position among California's private finance programs.