Finance Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Finance degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$79K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$124K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Finance in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Finance students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Finance enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Financial Modeling and Valuation. The adjusted starting salary in Tempe is approximately $79,100, growing to $124,300 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Finance Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Finance salary: $70,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Finance ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Finance degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,550
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$945,424
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,073,500) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Finance in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Finance
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Finance in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Finance graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Finance Job Titles
Finance in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$106K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$81K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$77K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$87K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$83K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$74K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$88K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$73K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Business Majors in Tempe
Business Analytics
$88K starting · 2 yr ROI
Economics
$73K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$57K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$57K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$70K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$57K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$66K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Finance degree outcomes in Tempe, AZ: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Finance programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Arizona.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Tempe using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Finance graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Finance career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Finance grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Tempe Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Arizona students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Arizona programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "arizona higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Finance Degree in Tempe — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Finance ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Tempe.