First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from San Diego State University-California 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Finance graduates from San Diego State University-California State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) 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 6% 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-California State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Finance. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONClient Service AssociateMorgan Stanley Wealth Management Jun 2011 - Nov 2012 Financial Consultant Wells Fargo Advisors Nov 2012 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of ScienceSan Diego State University-California State University 2013 - 2019 ABOUTAs a Financial Consultant with Wells Fargo Advisors, I am passionate about helping individuals and businesses succeed financially. My mission is to look at the big picture and provide comprehensive and intelligent financial advice. This information is intended for use by residents of AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI only.CA Insurance License #0I51877/*********/Investment and Insurance Products are:* Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency* Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate* Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount InvestedWells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Opinions and comments do not necessarily represent the views of our firm. Additional guidelines can be found on wfa.com/social |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Based on the analysis of various LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with a Finance degree from San Diego State University, it seems that a lot of them have ended up in jobs that are closely related to Finance. Common roles include Financial Consultants, Analysts, and Advisers, which clearly rely on financial knowledge and principles. For instance, jobs like Senior Accredited Appraiser and Director of Valuations directly utilize valuation and financial analysis skills. Many folks worked in financial services or advisory roles, like at Morgan Stanley or Wells Fargo, where they used their finance education every day to help clients make informed decisions.
However, it’s also noticeable that not every job taken by these graduates is tightly linked to finance. Some ended up in roles that required minimal to no finance knowledge, like Warehouse Associates, Graphic Designers, or Recruiters, where their degree might not have mattered much at all. So, while many of their positions were definitely relevant and used the finance skills gained during their studies, a fair number also strayed quite far from the finance path, indicating that a finance degree can sometimes lead to a more diverse range of jobs than you might expect.
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-California State University):
Graduates from San Diego State University with a degree in Finance often embark on strong career trajectories that align well with the finance field. Many of these individuals start their careers in finance-related roles shortly after graduation, with positions at renowned companies like Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and various consulting firms. For example, someone graduating in 2011 began their journey as a Client Service Associate and has climbed to a financial consultant position. This pattern of starting in support roles and eventually moving up is evident across several profiles reviewed.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you can see a pretty significant evolution for many graduates. A number of them have transitioned into higher-level roles, such as financial advisors, senior analysts, and directors in reputable firms or have gained roles in specialized areas such as valuations and investments. While some graduates have explored other paths or taken on roles outside the typical finance umbrella, like graphic design, the overarching trend suggests that a solid percentage remain within the finance sector and see their careers flourish. Overall, it appears that a degree in Finance from SDSU provides a solid foundation for a successful career in various finance-related roles, although the journey can diverge for some into other fields along the way.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at San Diego State University (or most places, really) can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not usually the hardest degree out there, but it definitely has its challenges, especially when you dive into topics like financial modeling, investments, and statistics. You’ll need to be comfortable with numbers, so if math isn’t your thing, you might find it a bit tough. The workload can ramp up with projects, exams, and group work, so staying organized and on top of things is key. But if you’re interested in the subject matter and are willing to put in the effort, it’s totally manageable, and a lot of students find it super interesting!
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 job trajectories of these San Diego State University graduates, it seems like many of them have landed pretty solid roles, especially in finance and business, which typically offer decent salaries. For example, the graduates who have held titles like Senior Associate, Director, or even positions at well-known firms like Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo usually come with good paychecks, reflecting a healthy income over time. However, not all paths show such a strong financial outlook. Some, like the individual who started as a Production Scheduler and has since stayed in roles that don’t seem to climb high on the pay scale, may not be raking it in as much. Overall, while many seem to be doing relatively well, especially those with steady upward mobility in finance, others appear to be still figuring out their best earning potential.
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-California 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: