First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Arkansas State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Finance graduates from Arkansas State University have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 30% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Finance graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBusiness Development OfficerFirst Community Bank Apr 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the jobs held by graduates from Arkansas State University with a degree in Finance, it seems like there's a mix of roles directly related to finance and others that are a bit of a stretch. Many grads have landed in positions like Branch Managers at banks and roles like Financial Analysts and Loan Officers, which definitely lean on the skills they gained from their finance studies. These positions typically involve managing financial operations, analyzing data, and understanding lending processes, making them highly relevant to their academic background.
However, there are also a fair number of graduates who ended up in roles that aren’t so clearly connected to finance, such as Marketing Analysts, Digital Marketing Managers, and even Operations Supervisors. In these jobs, while some financial skills might come in handy, they mainly focus on areas like marketing and operations. So, if you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you can see that while some of these graduates are right in the heart of finance, others have strayed into related fields where their finance degree has only minor relevance. It’s a mixed bag, but there's definitely a good chunk who are doing great things in finance-related careers!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Finance graduates (this is across all Finance graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Arkansas State University):
From my analysis of LinkedIn profiles of Arkansas State University graduates with finance degrees, it seems that many of them initially start their careers in roles that are somewhat related to finance, banking, or operations. For example, graduates from 2010 to 2014 took on positions like Marketing Analyst, Branch Manager, and Operations Officer shortly after finishing their studies. These first jobs often serve as a stepping stone; while they're not always directly in finance, they're still within the broader financial services industry, which is a good sign. As they progress in their careers, many of these individuals have moved into roles that gradually align more closely with finance, such as Loan Officers, Bank Examiners, or Financial Analysts.
Fast-forward about five to ten years after graduation, and the trajectories begin to diverge a bit. Some graduates find steady advancement within the banking sector and finance-related roles, which is great. However, there are also graduates who veered off into areas that might not directly utilize their finance degree. For instance, roles in marketing, sales, and operations management are common for some, suggesting that while they’re successful, they may not be leveraging their full finance education. Overall, it looks like most Arkansas State finance grads do manage to establish careers that are at least tangentially connected to their field, though some may not be following the most traditional paths in finance. So it’s a mixed bag—some are right on track, while others might be sailing a bit off course!
So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Arkansas State University is pretty manageable, but it definitely has its challenges. Generally speaking, Finance degrees can require a mix of strong math skills and critical thinking, so if you're comfortable with numbers and enjoy analyzing data, you’ll probably find it easier. Some courses might feel a bit intense, especially when you dive into topics like financial markets or investments, but lots of students get through it with decent effort. Overall, it’s pretty standard in terms of difficulty compared to other majors—just be ready to put in some study time and stay organized, and you should be fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at these finance grads from Arkansas State University, it seems like they've had a mixed bag when it comes to their earning potential. Those who graduated a little earlier, like in 2010 and 2014, have landed pretty decent managerial roles that likely pay well, especially considering positions at banks and in marketing. The 2017 grads, on the other hand, have also moved into solid roles, but their paths seem a bit more varied, with some taking on positions in sales and the military, which might not always stack up in terms of salary compared to banking roles. The younger grads, like those from 2020 and 2022, are just starting out in banking and finance, so it’s hard to tell how well they'll do in the long run. Overall, it looks like most are on decent paths, but some are definitely earning better than others at this point in their careers!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Finance (this is across all Finance graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Arkansas State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Finance (ordered by the average relevance score of their Finance graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: