First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from Washington 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Finance graduates from Washington State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) 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 12% 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 2020 from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA in Finance. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBusiness Development SpecialistEDU Passport Jul 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGmaster of financeThe George Washington University 2021 - 2022 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the careers that recent grads from Washington State University with a degree in Finance have taken, it’s clear that they often find themselves in roles tightly linked to the finance world. Many work as Financial Advisors, Analysts, or in positions where they need to utilize their financial knowledge daily, like with companies such as Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and BlackRock. These roles make good use of the skills and concepts learned during their studies, whether they’re analyzing data or directly advising clients on financial matters. Responsibilities that require heavy finance expertise seem pretty common among these graduates, especially for those who landed positions immediately after college.
However, there’s also a noticeable trend of grads venturing into roles that don’t heavily rely on their finance training. Jobs in sales, customer service, or administrative tasks appear frequently, and while they might include some overlapping skills, they generally don’t pull from the core financial principles that are the backbone of a finance degree. This suggests that not every job these graduates take is directly relevant to their finance education. Many end up in positions that may involve some basic understanding of finance but may focus more on sales or operational functions instead. Overall, while a solid portion of finance grads dive straight into finance-related roles, a good number also find themselves in more generalized positions that don’t fully utilize their degree.
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 Washington State University):
When you look at the career trajectories of graduates from Washington State University with a degree in Finance, there's a mix of solid starts in finance-related fields and some journeys that veer off into different directions. A lot of the early jobs right after graduation tend to be in positions like financial advisors, analysts, and even roles at big companies like Amazon and BlackRock. For example, graduates from 2013 found roles as a Royalties Analyst and a Finance Teacher's Assistant, while those from 2014 and later secured positions at notable financial companies. It seems like many graduates are indeed landing their first jobs in relevant fields, which is a good sign for anyone considering this path.
Fast forward about five to ten years, and you can see a more defined pattern emerging. Many of them are climbing the corporate ladder, often moving into more senior roles in finance, like analysts and consultants, with some even breaking into higher positions at prestigious firms like Netflix and JPMorgan Chase. On the flip side, there are also examples of graduates taking a detour from finance into roles that don't directly apply, like sales positions at tech companies or working in customer support. Overall, it’s clear that while a good chunk of finance grads are finding rewarding careers in finance, there's also a segment that diverges into unrelated fields. So, while there’s promise in this degree, it might not be a one-way ticket into the finance world for everyone.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Washington State University is pretty manageable, but it definitely has its challenges. The coursework covers a lot of ground, including accounting, economics, and some pretty intense math, so you’ve got to stay on top of your game and be ready to put in the work. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you have a knack for numbers and a genuine interest in the subject, you’ll find it rewarding. Plus, the professors are usually pretty helpful and the resources they provide can make things easier. So, it might require some late nights and studying, but it’s definitely doable if you stay committed!
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 Washington State University, it seems like some of them are on solid paths to making decent money, while others are still figuring it out. For instance, graduates with roles at big companies like Amazon, Netflix, and BlackRock are likely pulling in good salaries, especially as they move up in their careers. The folks who landed positions like financial advisor or are starting as entry-level analysts might not be raking it in just yet, but with experience, they could see their paychecks grow. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some are already benefiting from good earnings potential, while others are still climbing the ladder in their careers. So, if you're thinking about finance, just know that there are definitely opportunities to make decent money down the line!
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 Washington 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: