Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree) at Washington & Jefferson College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$57,855

Est. from PA median (23 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,980

Est. from PA median (17 programs)

Analysis

Peer finance programs in Pennsylvania typically see graduates earning around $58,000 in their first year—a figure that falls solidly above the national median but remains worlds away from Pennsylvania's elite programs. Washington & Jefferson's estimated outcomes align with this state average, suggesting competitive but not exceptional positioning among the state's 49 finance programs.

The estimated $27,000 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, which is manageable by any reasonable standard. Finance graduates at comparable Pennsylvania schools can typically cover their debt burden in roughly six months of first-year earnings, assuming they enter the field directly. This compares favorably to many bachelor's programs where debt can equal or exceed annual starting pay.

The real question is whether this trajectory meets your family's expectations given the tuition investment at a private college. Similar programs at Pennsylvania's top-tier schools produce dramatically different outcomes—Penn graduates earn double, Villanova grads earn 40% more. If your child has strong credentials and career ambitions in high finance, the ceiling may be higher elsewhere. But if they're seeking solid entry to corporate finance or banking with reasonable debt, these estimates suggest Washington & Jefferson delivers a workable foundation. Just recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into this specific program's actual graduate outcomes.

Where Washington & Jefferson College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (49 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington	$28,185	$57,855*	—	$26,980*	—
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia	$66,104	$122,698*	$206,646	$12,865*	0.10
Villanova UniversityVillanova	$64,701	$82,008*	$110,166	$26,197*	0.32
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem	$62,180	$76,720*	$107,260	$23,250*	0.30
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia	$51,340	$66,072*	$85,648	$25,000*	0.38
Widener UniversityChester	$53,638	$62,672*	—	$26,980*	0.43
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 Washington & Jefferson College, approximately 29% 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 23 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.