First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from University of South Florida 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 44 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Finance graduates from University of South Florida have a slightly lower 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 15% 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: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of South Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONClient Account RepresentativeHolland & Knight LLP Mar 2022 - Jul 2023 Client Account Specialist Holland & Knight LLP Jul 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing the career paths of graduates from the Finance program at the University of South Florida, it seems like there are a mix of relevant and somewhat unrelated jobs. A significant number of grads have taken on roles such as Staff Accountant, Senior Accountant, and Financial Analyst, which directly apply the knowledge they gained from their studies. These positions require the core finance skills learned during their degree programs and seem to make up a substantial portion of their career choices. Additionally, many have transitioned into roles linked to accounting, finance management, and financial analysis at reputable organizations, which solidly reflects their educational background.
That said, there are quite a few graduates who have ventured into roles that don't really leverage their finance education as much. For instance, many have taken on teaching positions, administrative roles, and even jobs in customer service or hospitality, which aren't directly related to finance. While some of these positions might require certain analytical or organizational skills that are valuable in any career, they don't necessarily utilize the specialized financial knowledge that comes with a finance degree. Overall, while many USF Finance graduates are successfully utilizing their degree in careers related to finance, a notable number have also found themselves in roles that, while respectable, don’t really align with what they studied. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest!
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 South Florida):
When we look at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of South Florida who majored in Finance, it's clear that many folks start off in roles that are relevant to finance, accounting, or related fields. For their first jobs, many of these graduates find positions as accounting clerks, financial analysts, or entry-level roles in banking and investment firms, which is a solid way to kick off a finance career. For instance, graduates from 2010 to 2015 commonly held positions at companies like Raymond James and JPMorgan Chase, indicating that a good number transitioned into significant financial roles early on. However, there are also graduates who took a different path, ending up in education or operations roles, suggesting a mix of financial alignment and career exploration. The variety in first roles shows a range of interests and skills among graduates.
Looking five to ten years down the line, many of these professionals are still within finance but have definitely climbed the career ladder. For example, several who started as analysts or associates are now in higher positions, like Senior Accountants, Financial Planners, or even managers within their firms. Others have moved into roles like Operations Managers or Fiscal Managers, showing some flexibility beyond traditional finance positions. Yet, a fair number have also veered off into unrelated sectors, which highlights that while finance degrees can provide a solid foundation, graduates often pursue diverse career paths. This mix of stability in finance-related careers along with some shifts into other industries paints a varied but generally positive picture for USF Finance graduates."
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance can be a bit of a mixed bag—it’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s not impossibly hard either. At the University of South Florida, you'll cover a lot of ground like financial analysis, investment strategies, and economic principles, which can be challenging if you don’t enjoy numbers or critical thinking. If you’re motivated and willing to put in the time to study and tackle assignments, you can definitely handle it. Some people find it easier compared to engineering or physics degrees, but it still requires solid effort, especially when it comes to mastering concepts and working on projects. Just keep your head in the game, and you’ll do fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at these Finance graduates from the University of South Florida, it's a mixed bag in terms of how much money they’re likely making. Some folks, especially those with roles like Controller or Senior Analyst, probably bring in decent salaries, especially considering they've got several years of experience under their belts. However, others seem to have taken on roles that aren’t as lucrative, like teaching positions or entry-level jobs in accounting, which can be lower-paying. Overall, you can tell some are climbing the financial ladder while others might still be finding their footing, so it seems like there’s a range of earnings across the board.
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 South Florida). 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: