Finance and Financial Management Services at University of South Alabama

Finance graduates from the University of South Alabama earn significantly less than their peers—both in Alabama and nationally. At $41,657 in the first year, earnings trail the state median by nearly $10,000 and fall well below what graduates from Auburn, Alabama, and UAB command. Among Alabama's 16 finance programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state deliver better outcomes. The debt load of $28,500 is also notably higher than both state and national medians, creating an unfavorable 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The 30% earnings growth to $54,038 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but even at that level, graduates are still earning less than the typical starting salary at top Alabama programs. This matters particularly if your child has in-state options: Auburn and Alabama grads start where South Alabama grads end up after four years in the workforce. The moderate sample size suggests these figures are reasonably reliable, not based on a handful of outliers.

For families prioritizing return on investment, this program struggles to compete with other Alabama alternatives. If South Alabama is the choice for non-academic reasons—location, campus culture, or family ties to Mobile—understanding that finance graduates here start behind their state peers is essential. Consider whether those $10,000 annual earnings differences over early career years justify any premium in attendance costs or lost opportunities elsewhere.