First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Finance graduates from Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business have a much higher likelihood (+14%) 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 16% 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: 32%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONNew Business SpecialistSammons Financial Group Member Companies Jun 2015 - Oct 2017 Sales Support Consultant Sammons Financial Group Member Companies Oct 2015 - Oct 2017 Regional Sales Consultant North American Company for Life and Health Insurance Oct 2017 - Oct 2019 Regional Onboarding Manager Midland National Life Insurance Company Sep 2019 - Feb 2024 Manager - Internal Sales North American Company for Life and Health Insurance Feb 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 career paths for folks who graduated with a Finance degree from Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business, it’s clear that many of them landed in fairly finance-centric roles. A lot of individuals, especially those who graduated earlier, like in 2010 and 2015, have taken on positions as financial analysts, managers, and directors across various companies, particularly in large firms like Ecolab and UnitedHealthcare. These roles generally require a solid understanding of financial principles and analytics, making them very relevant to what they studied in school. In fact, most of these jobs involve strategic decision-making, financial oversight, and advanced financial analysis—skills right out of a Finance curriculum.
On the flip side, some graduates who went into roles such as sales support or business consulting found themselves in positions that don’t necessarily need a Finance background. While roles in sales and management might touch on financial concepts, they often focus more on operations, customer service, or sales strategy rather than hardcore finance. Overall, though, there’s a strong trend showing that a majority of these graduates tend to stick closely to finance-related careers, especially those who graduated more recently and are moving into even more specialized roles like credit analysts and wealth management analysts. So if you're thinking about a Finance degree, these examples are a pretty good indication that it can lead to solid, relevant job opportunities in the finance world!
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 Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from the Finance program at Iowa State University's Ivy College of Business, it's clear that many have found their footing in solid, finance-related roles right after graduation. For example, many first jobs often start as financial analysts or in similar entry-level positions that allow graduates to build their skills. Over time, these alumni tend to rise through the ranks within their respective companies, moving from analyst roles to managerial and director positions after a few years. It’s impressive to see a consistent pattern where graduates land roles in reputable firms, often progressing into senior management and specialized finance roles. Companies like Ecolab, American Airlines, and IBM, which featured prominently in these profiles, suggest that graduates are entering industries that are stable and provide career growth opportunities.
Fast forward five to ten years after graduation, and it’s even more encouraging. Many alumni have transitioned into higher managerial roles or specialized positions, such as finance directors or senior consultants. It's not just about the entry-level jobs; their careers evolve into significant positions that hold considerable responsibility, indicating a strong retention of talent in the finance sector. While there are a few outliers with more varied paths, the overall trajectory shows that graduates from this program are building successful careers that are closely tied to their finance education. So, if you're thinking about studying finance at Iowa State, it looks like you'll be setting yourself up for a promising future in the field!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, like the one at Iowa State's Ivy College of Business, can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. The coursework often involves a good bit of math, data analysis, and understanding complex financial concepts, which can be tough if those aren't your strong suits. That said, if you enjoy problem-solving and are good with numbers, you might find it easier than average. Overall, it’s not cakewalk, but with the right mindset and dedication, you can definitely manage it and even find the material interesting!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Alright, let’s break this down! From the data on these Iowa State finance grads, it looks like they’ve landed some pretty solid jobs over the years, especially the older ones. The 2010 grad has climbed the ladder at Ecolab, reaching a finance director role, which is generally a well-paying gig, and now they’re at UnitedHealthcare, likely bringing in some serious bucks. The 2015 grad has been steadily moving up the ranks in sales consulting, which can pay well, too, especially with commissions. The 2016 grad has had a nice ride with American Airlines, and jobs there can be quite lucrative, especially in a management role. The younger grads, like the ones from 2018 and 2020, are still at the beginning of their careers, but they have good roles lined up that could lead to higher salaries down the line. Overall, it looks like most of these folks are on a decent path to making good money 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 Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business). 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: