First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from University of Washington 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Finance graduates from University of Washington have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as 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 0% 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 2021 from University of Washington with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPortfolio AnalystDWS Group Jul 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The graduates from the University of Washington's Finance program have ventured into a variety of job roles after completing their degrees, but there seems to be a mix in how closely these roles are aligned with their finance education. A good chunk of individuals landed positions as Financial Analysts or within similar financial sectors, such as Loan Advisors, Tax Analysts, or Portfolio Analysts, which definitely align well with the skills and knowledge obtained during their studies. These roles typically require strong analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of financial principles, so you can see a clear connection here between their academic backgrounds and professional responsibilities.
However, there are also several instances where graduates took on jobs that are only tangentially related or even completely unrelated to finance. Positions like Customer Success Specialist, Client Services Coordinator, and even roles in data analysis or media planning often prioritize skills more aligned with customer service, operations, or general business principles instead of core financial knowledge. While some of these jobs might touch on finances, like budgeting or cost estimation, they don’t fully leverage the financial acumen one would expect from a finance degree. So, while there are many graduates doing jobs that align with their education, there’s also a notable portion whose roles diverge quite a bit, mixing in many skills but not fully utilizing their finance expertise.
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 Washington):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from the University of Washington with a degree in Finance, it seems like they generally start their professional journeys in roles that are quite relevant to finance right out of college. Many of the alumni kick off their careers as financial analysts, loan advisors, or in various analyst positions, which suggests they're leveraging their education effectively in roles that build key skills in data analysis, financial reporting, and strategic thinking. For example, graduates from 2014 went from being loan advisors to project coordinators at major companies, demonstrating a solid evolution in their careers within relevant fields.
Fast forward a few years and it's clear that many of these finance grads trend towards more advanced roles. After about five to ten years, you see them stepping into senior analyst positions, management roles, or even starting their own businesses, like one graduate who founded their own venture. While some have drifted towards less traditional finance roles, like a client service coordinator or a community development facilitator, the majority still seem to maintain a connection to finance or business operations. Overall, it looks like a decent proportion of these graduates have forged successful and relevant careers in the finance sector, showcasing how a degree in this field can open up various pathways in both traditional finance and other business areas. It gives me the impression that while the journey can vary from person to person, most find their footing in solid, related careers.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance can be a bit of a mixed bag, but at the University of Washington, it's definitely not a walk in the park. You'll dive into some tough courses like financial analysis, investment strategies, and econometrics, which require a decent grasp of math and analytical thinking. While some students find the content interesting and engaging, others struggle with the quantitative aspects, especially if they're not super comfortable with numbers. Overall, it can be challenging, but if you stay organized, manage your time well, and are willing to put in the effort, you’ll be able to handle it. So, it's not the easiest degree out there, but it's definitely doable if you're motivated!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at these finance grads from the University of Washington, it seems like they’ve had some pretty solid career paths! Those from 2013 and 2014, for instance, have moved up to pretty respectable roles, like Business Director and Senior Analyst, which likely comes with a decent paycheck. The 2017 grad is still building their career, but they’re already in a solid client coordinator role. The folks who graduated more recently (2020 and beyond) are still in the early stages, with some starting off in more junior positions, but they’re getting those finance job titles under their belts. Overall, while it varies, many of these graduates seem to be on a path where they can make decent money over time — especially if they keep climbing the ladder!
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 Washington). 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: