Financeat University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Graduates earn $75,381/yr in their first year — about 36.0% above the national Finance average. Base-case 10-year earnings $995K; scenarios range from $835K to $1,066K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UIUC
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's finance program consistently delivers strong outcomes, a testament to the Gies College of Business's formidable reputation and its deep ties to the financial industry. You'll find robust recruiting pipelines connecting students directly to major investment banks, consulting firms, and asset managers, particularly in Chicago and other national financial hubs. The curriculum likely emphasizes rigorous quantitative analysis, financial modeling, and often includes experiential learning opportunities like student-managed funds, equipping you with highly sought-after skills. This strong foundation, coupled with an active alumni network, positions graduates for rapid career acceleration. However, with significant AI risk in the field, actively seek specializations in areas like fintech, data analytics, or sustainable finance, ensuring your skill set remains cutting-edge and adaptable.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UIUC's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Finance
How UIUC stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UIUC
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UIUC, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Finance offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Finance trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Finance at UIUC
How does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Finance program score?
A score of 86/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Finance graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Finance to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Finance 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.
Why does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign rank so high for Finance?
The #7 ranking out of 431 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.