Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Walsh College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$58,735

70th percentile

60th percentile in Michigan

Median Debt

$14,012

40% below national median

Analysis

Walsh College's finance program offers a compelling combination that's rare in higher education: above-average starting earnings paired with remarkably low debt. Graduates leave with just $14,012 in loans—about 40% less than the typical Michigan finance student—while earning $58,735 their first year. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio means students could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross income, making this one of the most financially accessible finance degrees in the state.

The earnings themselves are solid, landing in the 60th percentile among Michigan programs and 70th percentile nationally. Yes, top Michigan schools like MSU ($68,103) and Oakland ($61,804) edge ahead, but they also typically come with significantly higher debt loads. Walsh's graduates start just $4,000 below Oakland's while carrying a fraction of the financial burden. The modest 3% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates hit their stride quickly rather than climbing dramatically—but when you're starting with manageable debt, steady earnings matter more than spectacular growth.

For families prioritizing financial stability and a quick return to positive net worth, Walsh's finance program delivers. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates immediate financial flexibility that more prestigious programs often can't match.

Where Walsh College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Walsh College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Walsh College	$58,735	$60,192	+2%
Michigan State University	$68,103	$79,866	+17%
Oakland University	$61,804	$78,839	+28%
University of Michigan-Dearborn	$58,438	$71,075	+22%
Saginaw Valley State University	$46,284	$70,100	+51%

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (30 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Walsh CollegeTroy	—	$58,735	$60,192	$14,012	0.24
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing	$15,988	$68,103	$79,866	$23,250	0.34
Oakland UniversityRochester Hills	$14,694	$61,804	$78,839	$23,944	0.39
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant	$14,190	$60,023	$65,653	$26,672	0.44
Albion CollegeAlbion	$55,746	$59,926	—	$24,979	0.42
University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn	$14,944	$58,438	$71,075	$22,150	0.38
National Median	—	$53,590	—	$23,332	0.44

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 Walsh College, approximately 31% 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 54 graduates with reported earnings and 50 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.