Finance and Financial Management Services at Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,226/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (55% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (622,100 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #341 of 431 Finance and Financial Management Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Finance and Financial Management Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $707K $680K $605K
Earnings Multiple 4.4x 4.2x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 69% 61% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 63

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$160,760
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,284
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,700
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,244
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,226/yr, Finance and Financial Management Services graduates from Buena Vista University land near the $55,340 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 4.2x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $20,700 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #341 out of 431 programs, Buena Vista University's financial outcomes for Finance and Financial Management Services trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $52,226 to $74,244 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Buena Vista University

With 72% of applicants admitted, Buena Vista University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 1,378 students in Storm Lake, IA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $73,284 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Buena Vista University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Financial managers $161,700/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
View all 20 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Finance and Financial Management Services at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Buena Vista University's Finance and Financial Management Services program score?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Buena Vista University trails the majority of Finance and Financial Management Services programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Finance and Financial Management Services to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Finance and Financial Management Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Finance and Financial Management Services at Buena Vista University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $160,760, but the average net cost is $73,284 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →