First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from University of Arkansas 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 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Finance graduates from University of Arkansas have a higher likelihood (+8%) 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 19% 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 2017 from University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in Finance. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFinancial Management ScholarFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) May 2017 - Jul 2017 Financial Institution Specialist Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Mar 2018 - Jun 2020 Senior Capital Markets Specialist Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Jun 2020 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGBankingABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking 2023 - 2025 ABOUTFinancial professional with broad experience in the debt capital markets. Particular expertise in financial modeling, securities valuation, and portfolio management. Extensive transaction execution experience within the financial services industry with a proven ability to collaboratively perform in high-pressure scenarios. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From looking at the job profiles of Finance graduates from the University of Arkansas, it’s clear that many have landed roles that are quite relevant to their degree. Common positions like Financial Analyst, Assistant Finance Analyst, and various roles within banking and credit analysis heavily draw on the financial skills and knowledge these individuals gained during their studies. For example, being a Financial Analyst requires intense analytical skills and a solid understanding of finance principles, which these grads have certainly learned in their coursework. The overlap here is pretty significant, showcasing that a degree in Finance can lead to strong career paths directly tied to finance-related responsibilities.
However, not all jobs listed are strictly finance-focused. Positions such as Bank Teller, Insurance Agent, and roles in general management often emphasize customer service or sales more than they do finance proficiency. Even though some of these jobs may touch on financial concepts, they aren't strongly rooted in the analytical or strategic skill sets you would expect from finance-specific jobs. Overall, while many graduates have pursued careers that align nicely with their Finance degree, there are also a fair number who have veered into roles that don’t require a deep dive into finance concepts. It’s a mixed bag, to be honest, but the potential for finance-related careers is definitely there for those willing to seek it out!
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 University of Arkansas):
From what I can gather, graduates with a Finance degree from the University of Arkansas tend to start their careers in a variety of entry-level roles related to finance, analysis, and even some positions outside of traditional finance. For many of them, the first job seems to be something like a financial analyst, bank teller, or various positions at well-known companies like Walmart and PepsiCo. It looks like these initial roles are often stepping stones that lead to more specialized positions in finance or management, usually within a few years after graduation. For instance, several graduates from the early 2010s moved up to financial analyst or senior financial positions within just a few years, indicating a solid starting point for those serious about developing their careers in finance.
Fast forward five to ten years, and it’s pretty evident that many of these graduates have secured roles with more responsibility and higher titles, such as senior financial analysts, vice presidents, or even CEOs. While there are some graduates who veered off the traditional finance path—like those who found success in roles related to sales, marketing, or management—most seem to be climbing the corporate ladder within the finance sector itself. Overall, it looks like pursuing a Finance degree from the University of Arkansas can definitely lead to solid career growth within the field, with many alumni thriving in relevant roles as they gain experience and continue to develop their skills.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance is pretty manageable if you stay organized and keep up with your studies. The University of Arkansas has a good program, but like any finance degree, it can be challenging at times—especially when you get into the more complex topics like investment analysis or financial modeling. You'll need to get comfy with numbers and concepts like risk and return, but if you've got a solid work ethic and a willingness to learn, you'll probably find it exciting rather than overwhelming. Overall, I'd say it's around average in terms of difficulty, so if you put in the effort, 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.
Looking at the career paths of these finance grads from the University of Arkansas, it seems like quite a few of them have landed solid positions that likely come with decent salaries, especially those who moved into analyst and senior roles. For instance, the CEO position at Simpleaf and senior roles at companies like Walmart and the FDIC suggest they're making good money. Others who went into fields like insurance and banking have upward mobility, which usually translates to better pay down the line. That said, a few started out in more entry-level positions like bank tellers, but many of those have moved up reasonably quickly, so overall, it seems like a lot of them are on track to do pretty well financially.
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 University of Arkansas). 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: