What can you do with a Finance degree from Auburn University?

First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Auburn 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 27 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Finance graduates from Auburn University have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 60%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 11% 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:

View a random Finance graduate from Auburn University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 65%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Finance. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Management Trainee
Murphy-Hoffman Company (MHC Kenworth)
Aug 2018 - Apr 2019
The Management Trainee position does not utilize specific finance skills or knowledge, focusing instead on general business operations without substantial application of finance principles.

Assistant Parts Manager
Murphy-Hoffman Company (MHC Kenworth)
Apr 2019 - Mar 2020
As an Assistant Parts Manager, the role may involve some financial aspects such as budgeting or inventory cost management, but it is not primarily finance-focused and lacks core finance qualifications.

Parts Manager
Murphy-Hoffman Company (MHC Kenworth)
Mar 2020 - Apr 2022
The Parts Manager position may require some financial oversight related to inventory management and budgeting, but it is not directly aligned with core finance skills and knowledge developed in a finance degree.

Assistant Vice President, Transition Services
Dynasty Financial Partners
May 2022 - Present
As Assistant Vice President, Transition Services, the position involves significant financial analysis and advisory duties, leveraging skills from the finance degree on a daily basis.

Vice President, Transition Services
Dynasty Financial Partners
Mar 2024 - Present
The Vice President role in Transition Services requires in-depth financial knowledge and strategic decision-making, directly utilizing the expertise gained through the finance degree.

ABOUT

I am a graduate of Auburn Universitys Harbert College of Business with a Bachelors Degree in Finance. My college internship was with MHC Kenworth and I was offered a post-graduate job opportunity in their Management Trainee program. I was fortunate enough to receive several promotions and spent close to 5 years improving sales, restructuring departments and empowering individuals to build strong team cultures. The last two years with MHC I was a department head with a team of 15 wonderful employees. I currently work for Dynasty Financial Services as an AVP of Transition Services. Colleagues know me as a problem solver who will always get the job done. I am a driven individual always striving to achieve my next goal.

What jobs can you get with a Finance degree from Auburn University?

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 Auburn University's finance program, a mix of positions emerges, ranging from roles in traditional finance sectors to those that only tangentially relate to financial principles. Many graduates secured positions like Financial Analysts or roles within companies specializing in investment and acquisition, which utilize critical finance skills they honed during their studies. Positions like Financial Controller, Portfolio Management Analyst, or even Investment Banking Analyst directly align with the finance knowledge acquired from their degree and showcase a strong relevance to the field. However, a significant number of graduates also landed roles that are not strictly finance-related. For instance, jobs in retail management, administrative support, and customer service emerged as common paths for some alumni, indicating that many may not be leveraging their finance degrees as directly as one might expect. While there are roles like Business Analyst or Account Manager that allow for some connection to financial principles, others, such as managerial positions in retail, seem to focus more on general business or organizational skills and therefore have limited relevance. Overall, it shows that while many finance graduates manage to secure roles closely tied to their degree, others venture into areas where finance isn't the main focus, highlighting a diverse range of career outcomes.

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 Auburn University):

What kind of career trajectories do Finance graduates from Auburn University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates with a degree in Finance from Auburn University seem to have carved out some solid career paths for themselves. For many, their first job after graduation typically lands in the finance or business sector, like positions in analysis, banking, or operations. You can see some of them starting as analysts or similar roles, then gradually moving up to more senior positions or specialized roles within the finance industry. Over the first five to ten years, many graduates appear to transition into higher-level positions, such as financial analysts, managers, or even executive roles, particularly in companies they’ve been with for a while. The career trajectory looks promising for those who stay within finance, as evidenced by roles at firms like Truist, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, and even leadership positions in corporate finance.

However, it’s interesting to note that some graduates veer off the traditional finance path, taking jobs in unrelated fields or in operations and management rather than finance-centric roles. While there are certainly examples of success and growth in finance-related careers, not all graduates have followed that track, with some ending up in retail management or administrative roles. Overall, though, the majority of Auburn finance graduates seem to find their footing in relevant, growth-oriented positions within the financial world, especially by the five to ten-year mark. This suggests that a finance degree from Auburn offers a strong foundation and ample opportunity for career advancement in a range of fields, particularly for those who actively pursue positions related to their studies.

How hard is a Finance degree from Auburn University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, whether at Auburn University or elsewhere, can be a bit challenging, but it's definitely manageable if you stay on top of your studies. You’ll dive into subjects like accounting, financial analysis, and economics, which can get pretty intense, especially during midterms and finals. Some people find the math-heavy courses a bit tougher, but if you put in the effort and seek help when you need it, you can definitely tackle it. Overall, it's a solid mix of coursework that requires some dedication, but it’s not the hardest degree out there. If you’re organized and motivated, you can definitely handle it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.

Do Finance graduates from Auburn University tend to make good money?

Alright, so looking at these Auburn graduates, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well in their careers, especially those who graduated a bit earlier. For instance, the ones who landed roles like senior financial analyst or VP at banks are likely pulling in a decent salary, likely six figures. Some other grads started in more basic roles but have worked their way up to better positions over time, like managers and even directors. On the flip side, a couple of graduates are still kind of starting out in entry-level roles, so they might not be making as much yet. Overall, it looks like most are making good money as they progress in their careers, especially in finance, which usually has solid earning potential!

What buzzwords do Finance graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Auburn University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Finance?

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:

College Score Count
University of Dayton 94 18
Central Michigan University 90 10
Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst 90 14
Loyola University Maryland 88 13
University of Connecticut 87 10
Seton Hall University 87 11
University of Florida - Warrington College of Business 87 14
Indiana University Bloomington 86 27
California State University-Long Beach 85 10
University of San Diego 85 11
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business 85 36
University of Wisconsin-Madison 84 13
Brigham Young University 84 19
Northeastern University 84 10
The University of Texas at Dallas 84 26
University of Illinois at Chicago 84 13
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 83 17
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 83 17
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business 83 23
Xavier University 83 11
University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business 82 14
Texas A&M University 81 64
San Diego State University 81 22
Bentley University 81 27
Rutgers Business School 81 22
Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business 81 12
University of Arizona 80 11
Miami University 80 39
North Dakota State University 80 16
University of Colorado Colorado Springs 80 11
Wake Forest University 80 10
Fordham Gabelli School of Business 80 12
University of Florida 79 43
University of Delaware 79 28
Western Michigan University 79 11
Saint Joseph's University 79 11
Quinnipiac University - School of Business 79 11
Illinois State University 78 25
Towson University 78 13
Northern Arizona University 78 10
Kansas State University 78 18
University of Notre Dame 78 20
The University of Texas at El Paso 78 10
Florida International University - College of Business 78 18
Temple University - Fox School of Business and Management 78 11
The University of Texas at Austin - Red McCombs School of Business 78 16
Colorado State University 77 13
California State University, Fullerton 77 16
Georgia Southern University 77 14
Northern Kentucky University 77 11
The College of New Jersey 77 15
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business 77 24
University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management 77 12
Penn State University 76 62
Texas Tech University 76 13
University of Missouri-Columbia 76 22
James Madison University 75 22
Georgia State University 75 18
University of Arkansas 75 21
Baruch College 75 50
The Ohio State University 74 27
The University of Texas at Austin 74 14
Temple University 74 21
DePaul University 74 29
Wichita State University 74 15
Michigan State University 73 28
University of North Texas 73 32
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 73 15
University of Pittsburgh 73 14
West Virginia University 73 17
The University of Alabama 73 22
University of Maryland 73 10
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 73 10
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 73 11
Louisiana Tech University 73 10
Marist College 73 11
Southern New Hampshire University 72 18
George Mason University 72 11
Oakland University 72 18
University of Minnesota Duluth 72 10
Ohio University 71 10
The University of Texas at San Antonio 71 26
Oklahoma State University 71 23
University of Oklahoma 71 13
Florida Gulf Coast University 71 13
Villanova University 71 13
University of Missouri-Kansas City 71 10
University of Phoenix 70 25
The University of Georgia 70 20
University of Iowa 70 19
Kennesaw State University 70 13
Cleveland State University 70 14
Arizona State University 69 25
Louisiana State University 69 26
Rowan University 69 14
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 69 14
Ramapo College of New Jersey 69 10
Fairfield University 69 11
The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business 69 16
Kent State University 68 14
California State University, Northridge 68 11
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 68 25
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 68 13
University of Central Florida 67 56
Florida State University 67 58
University of Washington 67 13
The University of Texas at Arlington 67 30
California State University-Northridge 67 13
Monmouth University 67 10
Arkansas State University 67 10
University of Houston 66 23
Texas State University 66 27
Arizona State University - W. P. Carey School of Business 66 12
Bryant University 66 23
The Ohio State University - The Max M. Fisher College of Business 66 10
Washington State University 65 16
Providence College 65 14
Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business 65 13
University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business 65 12
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 64 18
San Diego State University-California State University 64 15
University of Houston-Downtown 64 27
University of Illinois Chicago 64 10
Liberty University 63 17
Grand Valley State University 63 25
University of Cincinnati 63 11
University of South Florida 62 44
North Carolina State University 62 11
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 62 13
University of Kentucky 62 12
Virginia Tech 62 12
San Francisco State University 61 12
Auburn University 60 27
Metropolitan State University of Denver 60 13
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 60 11
Florida International University 59 39
Oregon State University 59 22
University of Maryland University College 59 13
Iowa State University 58 10
University of St. Thomas 58 10
San Jose State University 57 19
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 57 23
Florida Atlantic University 56 30
California State University, Long Beach 55 11
University of Louisville 55 11
California State University-Sacramento 54 10
University of Tampa 52 13
California State University, Chico 49 10
California State University-Fullerton 46 20