First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from California State University-Sacramento 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? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Finance graduates from California State University-Sacramento have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to 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 10% 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: 0%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from California State University-Sacramento with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInventory ClerkAmerisourceBergen Oct 2021 - Present ABOUTI've been in the retail industry for four years as a sales associate, however I feel that I've outgrown it and learned the majority of what it offered me. I've become really well at connecting with customers and tailoring my skills to suit their needs. I am now aiming for a course that is more inline with my degree, as well as an occupation that I consider more professional. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the job profiles of graduates from California State University-Sacramento who studied Finance, it looks like there's a mix of finance-related positions and some that stray pretty far from the field. A common trend is that many of the earlier jobs, especially those in fund accounting, are highly relevant to finance and make good use of the financial concepts learned during their degree. Roles like Fund Accountant, Senior Analyst, and Financial Consultant definitely keep the finance focus strong, emphasizing analytical skills and financial principles. However, as you move down the list, you start to see positions like Customer Relations Representative or Administrative Assistant, which seem to lean more on general skills rather than specialized finance knowledge. The variety suggests that while some graduates jump straight into finance-heavy roles, others take positions that might not directly apply their degree as much.
Overall, it appears the earlier jobs taken by graduates maintain a strong connection to finance, but many recent positions present a more mixed picture. Some folks are still using their degrees effectively in finance-related roles, like Accounting Technician or Financial Consultant. On the other hand, there are quite a few who end up in roles that are only tangentially related to finance or not related at all, like IT support or customer service. It highlights a reality for finance graduates: while there are awesome finance opportunities out there, the job market can lead you down paths that may or may not connect back to the skills you learned in school.
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 California State University-Sacramento):
From analyzing the career paths of graduates from California State University-Sacramento who pursued a degree in Finance, it seems like there's a pretty mixed bag outcome-wise. Many graduates tend to find their first jobs in roles that are directly related to finance, such as fund accounting, analyst positions, or similar entry-level financial roles. For example, a grad from 2012 climbed the ladder at State Street, moving from a fund accountant associate to assistant vice president within just over eight years, which shows that hard work and a focus on finance can lead to solid career advancement within the same company. This suggests that if you start off in a finance-related role, there might be potential for good growth in your career if you play your cards right.
On the flip side, some recent grads, especially those from 2019 and 2021, have taken on roles that aren’t strictly related to finance, like customer service or administrative positions. This might indicate that while some people are successfully landing finance-focused careers, others might end up in roles that are more tangential or unrelated to their degree. It’s also important to note that not all paths lead to upward trajectories, as some individuals have transitioned through several different job types quickly - like moving from a producer at an insurance firm to a paraplanner, and then to a tax associate, which may reflect some uncertainty or a need to find a niche. Overall, it looks like there are opportunities in finance for those willing to stick it out, but not everyone is finding that clear cut success right away. The journey can be a bit winding for some of these grads!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at California State University-Sacramento can be a bit of a mixed bag, but generally, it's about average in terms of difficulty. You'll dive into topics like financial analysis, investment strategies, and economic principles, which can definitely be challenging, especially if you’re not super into math or analytical thinking. However, if you stay organized, keep up with your coursework, and really engage with the material, it’s totally manageable. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, but with some effort and a good study routine, you can handle it just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at these Finance grads from California State University-Sacramento, it seems like the ones who were able to get into more specialized finance roles, like the first graduate who climbed the ranks at State Street, probably made some decent money, especially as they moved into higher positions like Senior Analyst and Assistant Vice President. Those higher-level roles in finance typically pay pretty well, often six figures after a few years. However, others who went into more basic roles or have been stuck in entry-level jobs, like the computer technician or seasonal clerk, might not be raking in the same kind of cash. So overall, there's definitely a mixed bag here—some are likely doing well, while others are still finding their footing 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 California State University-Sacramento). 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: