First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Oakland 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Finance graduates from Oakland University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) 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 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRelationship BankerJPMorgan Chase & Co. Apr 2023 - Present ABOUTHi! Im a Relationship Banker at Chase Bank and a recent grad from Oakland University. At 22, Im full of energy and ready to dive deeper into the world of finance. Im on a path to become a Financial Advisor and Im excited to learn and grow every step of the way. Lets connect! |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through all these job profiles, it’s clear that graduates from Oakland University with a degree in Finance have landed in a variety of roles, but the relevance of these positions to their finance education is pretty mixed. Many have entered fields such as logistics and sales, where some finance knowledge is helpful but isn’t the main focus. For example, roles like "Driver Productivity Coordinator" at Central Transport or "Regional Business Analyst" at Volkswagen Financial Services involve operational tasks that may touch on finance lightly, but don't dive deep into the core financial analysis or strategical decision-making that finance graduates are trained for.
On the flip side, there are positions that closely align with finance skills, like "Mortgage Underwriter," "Financial Analyst," or "Corporate Finance Analyst." These jobs leverage the financial acumen graduates developed during their studies, really putting their education to use in analyzing data, managing finances, or evaluating risk. It seems like while some graduates are finding fulfilling work directly tied to their finance degree, others are veering off into areas where their education isn’t fully utilized. Overall, it's a mix, and it shows that while a finance degree can open many doors, not every job will make the most of it!
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 Oakland University):
When you look at the LinkedIn profiles of Oakland University finance graduates, a pretty clear picture of their career paths starts to emerge. Most of these folks seem to land finance-related jobs relatively quickly after graduation. Common first roles include positions like analysts, underwriters, and associates at financial institutions such as banks and mortgage companies. These positions are generally seen as foundational in building a solid finance career. It’s encouraging to see that many graduates are avoiding jobs completely unrelated to their field right out of college, which can be pretty common for new grads.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these alumni stick with finance or related areas, moving up into roles like senior analysts, managers, or even directors. Some have shifted a bit but still stayed close to finance, like moving into sales and business development. A handful of graduates have ventured into more niche areas, such as legal counsel or quality assurance, but most seem to be thriving in roles that leverage their finance degrees. Overall, they appear to have built successful careers within the finance sector, benefiting from their education at Oakland University and the strong foundational skills it provides.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Oakland University, or really anywhere, can be a bit of a mix—it’s not a walk in the park, but it’s definitely manageable if you stay on top of things. You'll dive into some math-heavy stuff, like accounting and statistics, and you’ll probably have to wrangle with financial theories and market analysis, which can be tricky at times. But if you’ve got a good grasp of basic math and are willing to put in the effort, it’s totally doable. Just remember, like any degree, it can get tough with projects and exams, but if you stay organized and seek help when you need it, you’ll be just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Based on the LinkedIn profiles of these Oakland University graduates, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to how much money they've been making. A few of them, like the ones who landed positions in finance at places like Stellantis and Flagstar Bank, likely pulled in solid salaries, especially at higher roles like Senior Analysts and Managers. Others, especially those in more entry-level or support roles in lending or logistics, may not have seen staggering paychecks right away. However, it looks like many of them have progressed over time into roles that likely pay better, which is promising for their career trajectories. Overall, it’s reasonable to say that many seem to be doing alright, especially as they move up the ladder, but it varies quite a bit across the different career paths.
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 Oakland 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: