Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at University of West Alabama

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$50,939

Est. from AL median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,500

Est. from AL median (7 programs)

Analysis

Alabama's finance programs cluster tightly around $51,000 in first-year earnings, and West Alabama's estimated outcomes place it right in that pack—though the state's top programs at Auburn, Alabama, and UAB do push $5,000 to $6,000 higher. With estimated debt of $22,500, the ratio of 0.44 is manageable, suggesting graduates would dedicate less than half their first-year salary to debt if they followed standard repayment schedules. That's reasonable for a finance degree, though the real question is whether this program can match the state median it's benchmarked against.

The data here reflects outcomes from similar Alabama programs rather than West Alabama's specific track record, which matters when 54% of students rely on Pell grants and need programs that consistently deliver on earnings promises. Finance degrees usually offer clear career paths—corporate finance roles, banking positions, financial planning—but the actual placement success depends heavily on internship networks and recruiting relationships that smaller regional programs sometimes struggle to build compared to flagship universities.

For families weighing this option: the estimated debt load won't crush you, but verify that West Alabama specifically can connect students to the finance jobs that justify even moderate borrowing. Talk to current students about where seniors are landing positions and whether Birmingham or Atlanta recruiters actively visit campus. The numbers suggest viability if outcomes match peer schools, but you're betting on an estimate rather than a proven track record.

Where University of West Alabama Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (16 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of West AlabamaLivingston	$10,990	$50,939*	—	$22,500*	—
University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville	$11,770	$56,584*	—	—*	—
Auburn UniversityAuburn	$12,536	$55,875*	$71,821	$20,500*	0.37
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa	$11,900	$55,580*	$72,138	$25,000*	0.45
Samford UniversityBirmingham	$38,144	$53,059*	$70,946	$19,000*	0.36
University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham	$8,832	$50,939*	$62,664	$22,500*	0.44
National Median	—	$53,590*	—	$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 West Alabama, approximately 54% 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 9 similar programs in AL. Actual outcomes may vary.