First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from University of Iowa 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Finance graduates from University of Iowa have a slightly higher 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 26% 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: 69%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFinancial AnalystHNI Corporation Sep 2020 - Mar 2022 Contract Specialist Rock Island Arsenal Apr 2022 - Present ABOUTAlumni Finance student at the University of Iowa. Love building relationships, hungry to gain knowledge, and dedicated to improving my skills on a daily basis.Currently a Contract Specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal. Email: [EMAIL REMOVED] |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job history of University of Iowa Finance graduates, it's clear that there is a mix of roles that reflect a range of relevance to their finance education. Many graduates have taken positions as financial analysts or managers, especially at firms like Boston Consulting Group and Aegon Asset Management. These roles typically require in-depth financial knowledge, utilizing skills honed during their studies, such as financial modeling and analysis. However, not all graduates ended up in directly finance-related roles; some have taken jobs that stick to peripheral finance responsibilities, like property management or bar tending, which don't fully leverage their degree's potential.
On the whole, graduates with roles like Senior Financial Analyst or Finance Manager are clearly applying their finance training effectively, while others in sales or operational roles may find themselves using finance skills in a more limited way. It's also noteworthy that many of the less finance-centric jobs often demonstrate only partial relevance to the degree, suggesting that while some graduates pursue paths strongly tied to finance, others may veer off into fields where their finance background is less directly applicable. So, while a solid number of alumni find their way into finance-focused roles, there's a fair share who gravitate toward jobs where their finance education doesn’t play a major role, highlighting the versatility and breadth of education at the University of Iowa.
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 Iowa):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Iowa with a degree in Finance, it's clear that many of them have taken quite promising paths in the financial sector. For a good number of graduates, their first jobs out of college typically align with finance-related positions, such as analysts or financial managers, which can set a strong foundation for their careers. Over the years, many have progressed into higher-level roles such as Finance Senior Manager or Vice President in well-known companies, particularly at firms like Boston Consulting Group and Aegon Asset Management. This indicates a strong trend toward building sustainable and successful careers in finance.
However, it's not universally great across the board. Some graduates have ventured off into jobs that are less directly tied to finance, especially in the early years, like bartending or being a teller. Yet, many have eventually found their way back into finance roles that demonstrate a significant shift towards a solid finance-focused career trajectory. In general, it seems that while some may have faced detours early on, many graduates capitalize on their finance education to secure relevant positions in the long run. If you're thinking about studying finance at Iowa, you're likely on a good path toward a successful career in that field!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance can be a bit of a mixed bag, and it really depends on your strengths and interests. At the University of Iowa, like many schools, you’ll find some pretty challenging courses, especially when it comes to quant-heavy stuff like accounting, investments, and financial analysis. If you enjoy math and analytical thinking, it might feel easier for you, but if numbers aren’t your thing, you might find it a bit tougher. Generally, it’s not considered super easy, but it’s not the hardest degree out there either; it’s more about staying organized and managing your time well. Overall, if you’re interested in finance and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find it manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Okay, so let’s break down what’s happening with these Finance grads from the University of Iowa. It seems like some of the folks who graduated around 2010 are definitely doing well, especially the one who climbed the ladder at Boston Consulting Group—starting as an analyst and now in a senior management position suggests they’re making some solid cash. Others, like the ones who took on more varied roles starting as bartenders or instructors, might not be stacking as much initially, but they’ve found their way into decent positions over time. Newer grads, like those from 2020 and 2023, are just getting started, and it looks like they’re landing interesting roles too, but they'll need to crank it up a notch in the next few years to really see some significant money. Overall, a mix of great trajectories with some slow starts, but it’s all about leveling up 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 University of Iowa). 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: