First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from San Diego State 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Finance graduates from San Diego State University 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 4% 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 2011 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDirector, Production FinanceWalt Disney Television Mar 2020 - 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 job paths of folks who graduated with a Finance degree from San Diego State University, it’s clear that there’s a strong inclination toward finance-related positions, especially in roles like Financial Analyst, Banking Analyst, and various positions within financial services. Many graduates find themselves working directly in finance-focused roles, such as financial analysts and portfolio managers, where their education aligns closely with their daily tasks. For instance, many individuals have taken up jobs in banks or financial institutions where they tackle tasks like financial analysis and investment management, directly applying their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
However, it's also worth noting that not every graduate sticks to finance in a strict sense. Some have ventured into roles like business analyst or various positions in software and data analysis that, while they may require some understanding of finance, aren’t primarily centered on financial concepts. Moreover, roles like real estate salesperson or positions in restaurants seem pretty far removed from finance core principles. So, while a decent number of alumni are utilizing their finance backgrounds effectively, a significant chunk has taken paths that aren’t fully leveraged by their degree, indicating that finance graduates can be quite versatile in the job market.
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 San Diego State University):
Looking at this list of graduates from San Diego State University, it's pretty clear that many of them are carving out solid careers in the finance field. For most folks, their first jobs after graduation often kick off in roles like analyst positions, banking, or finance-related consulting—ideal for jumping into the finance world right after college. The trend shows that many students start off as junior analysts or other entry-level roles, which is super common in the industry. For example, graduates from 2020 and 2021 quickly moved from junior analyst roles to more senior positions at companies like Axos Bank and LPL Financial, suggesting a strong upward trajectory early on.
Fast forward five or ten years, and you'll find a mix of career paths. Some graduates have climbed the corporate ladder to director and management roles at notable companies, like the one from 2011 who became a Director of Production Finance at Walt Disney Television. Others have shifted gears a bit, moving into related fields like real estate or even technology, which shows a blend of adaptability and skills. However, there are also a few who seem to have taken less traditional paths, such as working in server roles or not staying strictly within finance. Overall, while the journey varies from one graduate to another, there's a clear trend towards successful careers that often tie back to their finance degrees, which is a pretty encouraging sign for anyone considering this path!
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at San Diego State University can be a bit challenging, but it all depends on your strengths and interests. The program covers a lot of technical stuff, like accounting, statistics, and financial analysis, and you'll need to wrap your head around some complex concepts. If you're good with numbers and enjoy problem-solving, you might find it manageable. However, some students do struggle with the coursework, especially during group projects or when tackling analytical assignments. Overall, it's about average in terms of difficulty compared to other business degrees, but you’ll want to be prepared to put in some solid work to keep up with it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at the job history of these San Diego State University finance grads, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well, while others are still climbing the ladder. The ones who graduated in the early 2010s have had some steady growth, with one even landing a director position at Disney—which likely pays pretty well. On the flip side, some of the more recent graduates are still in entry-level or transitional roles, which probably means they're not raking in the big bucks just yet. Overall, it looks like it could be a mixed bag in terms of earnings, with potential for higher salaries down the road, especially for those in positions like data science or financial analysis. So, if you're thinking about a finance degree, it seems like there’s good potential for decent pay, but it might take some time to get there!
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 San Diego State 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: