Finance Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of money management, investing, lending, and financial markets.
Starting Salary
$70K
median
Mid-Career
$110K
salary
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.8%
rate
Finance Overview
Study of money management, investing, lending, and financial markets.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
72%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
15%
Lifetime Premium
$950K
Female Graduates
38%
Finance Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$931,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($950,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Finance Salary Progression
Common Finance Careers
Financial Analyst
Investment Banker
Portfolio Manager
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Finance
#1
Wharton
#2
NYU Stern
#3
MIT Sloan
#4
University of Chicago
#5
Columbia
Related Majors
Finance Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Finance Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for finance programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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