What can you do with a Finance degree from Florida Gulf Coast University?

First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Florida Gulf Coast 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Finance graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) 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 23% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Finance degree from Florida Gulf Coast University?
• What do Finance graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Finance degree from Florida Gulf Coast University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Finance degree from Florida Gulf Coast University?
• What are the best colleges for Finance?

View a random Finance graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2017 from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Lead SCc02 Plant Operator Saw Palmetto Florida, LLC May 2018 - Present As a Lead Plant Operator, some knowledge of finance may help in operational cost management, but the core qualifications and daily work primarily focus on plant operations and not finance. Plant Manager Saw Palmetto Florida, LLC Apr 2021 - Present The role of Plant Manager may involve some financial oversight and budgeting responsibilities, but the key skills and knowledge utilized daily pertain more to plant operations than directly to finance. ABOUT My career objective is to make the most of my potential and discover new horizons in the workforce. I wish to grow in a progressive organization where my skills and education can help achieve the goals of the company.

What jobs can you get with a Finance degree from Florida Gulf Coast University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Food Server
• Host
• Lead SCc02 Plant Operator
• Plant Manager
• Regional Sales Manager
• Member
• Managing Director
• Intern/Equity Research Analyst
• Market Area Manager
• Financial Representative

When looking at the job paths of Finance graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University, it's clear that many of them have found positions that directly relate to their degree, with roles like Financial Analyst, Financial Representative, and Trader leading the way. These positions usually require a solid grasp of financial concepts and the analytical skills they developed during their studies. Graduates have also ventured into some unexpected areas within sales and management, with titles like Market Area Manager and Regional Sales Manager cropping up. While these jobs sometimes utilize finance knowledge for tasks like budgeting, they often focus more on management and business development rather than pure finance functions.

On the flip side, there are instances where graduates have pursued careers that don't really tap into their finance knowledge at all, like food service jobs or administrative positions. For many, the relevance of their degree to their career can vary significantly, with some using their skills daily and others drifting away from finance-related tasks. Overall, while a good number of Finance graduates land jobs that make full use of their education, there are also quite a few who find themselves in roles where finance isn't the main focus, showcasing the diverse paths a finance degree can open up.

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 Florida Gulf Coast University):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Finance, it appears that many have managed to land decent, finance-related positions after graduation. Typically, graduates seem to start their careers in roles like interns or entry-level analysts. The 2011 graduate, for instance, began as an intern and eventually moved into a management role. Similarly, those who graduated in 2016 and 2017 found entry-level positions like financial representative or analyst, which are relevant to their field of study. This trend suggests that most graduates are making a solid start in their careers that align with their education.

Fast forward five to ten years later, we see a mix of continued growth in finance-related roles and some that have veered off into different industries. For example, a 2016 graduate transitioned from banking to owning a landscaping business, which indicates that some individuals may pursue unconventional paths or diversify their careers. Others, like a 2017 graduate, have secured significant positions like Senior Financial Analyst, showcasing a clear upward trajectory in the finance sector. Overall, while some graduates have ventured into unrelated fields, the predominant trend for those from FGCU seems to be obtaining successful roles within finance or management over time, reflecting well on the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for professional opportunities.

How hard is a Finance degree from Florida Gulf Coast University?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University—or really anywhere—can be a mixed bag. It’s not the easiest path you can take, but it’s not the most brutal one either. You’ll definitely have your fair share of number-crunching, macroeconomics, and financial modeling, which can get tricky, especially if math isn’t your strong suit. FGCU tends to have a relaxed vibe, so while the material can be challenging at times, most students find the professors approachable, and they’re usually willing to help. If you stay organized, keep up with your assignments, and don’t let the tough stuff hang over your head, you can definitely make it through without losing your mind!

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 Florida Gulf Coast University tend to make good money?

So, looking at these graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University, it seems like they've had some pretty decent job opportunities, mostly in finance and business-related roles, which usually pay well. The one who graduated in 2011 is likely doing pretty well as a Market Area Manager, especially since that role typically has a good salary and could also come with bonuses. A couple of the 2016 grads have shifted from banking to entrepreneurship, which can vary in income but has the potential to pay off big time. Those who graduated more recently, like the ones from 2020 and 2021, seem to be starting off in solid positions, especially at companies like Fidelity and SouthState Bank. Overall, it looks like most of these folks are on a decent path to making good money, especially as they gain more experience and possibly move into higher-paying roles down the line.

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 Florida Gulf Coast 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