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Business · Finance Rank #63 of 431

Financeat Washington University in St Louis

Graduates earn $102,814/yr in their first year — about 86.0% above the national Finance average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,576K; scenarios range from $1,258K to $1,727K depending on AI disruption.

Saint Louis, MO Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
81 STRONG
82
Optimistic
78
Pessimistic
Earnings
$102,814
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,576K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Washington University in St Louis

Washington University's reputation as an elite institution immediately signals a distinct advantage for its finance graduates. You're not just getting a degree; you're gaining access to established recruiting pipelines that lead to highly competitive roles in investment banking, consulting, and corporate finance. While based in St. Louis, Olin Business School's national standing means you'll find peers and alumni at major financial firms across New York, Chicago, and other global hubs. This robust network and the program's rigorous analytical training explain why graduates consistently land in strategic, high-impact positions requiring complex problem-solving. As the finance industry evolves with AI, focusing on roles that demand sophisticated judgment, client relationship management, and innovative financial product development will be key. Leverage the alumni network and career services early to identify and target firms that value these nuanced skills.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$1,258K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple5.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,576K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score81/100
Earnings Multiple6.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,727K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple6.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Washington University in St Louis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Finance graduates typically work

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.

1
Chief executives
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 22,200 openings/yr
$206,420/yr
High
2
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
3
Financial risk specialists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$106,000/yr
High
4
General and operations managers
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 308,700 openings/yr
$102,950/yr
Moderate
5
Personal financial advisors
+9.6% 10-yr growth · 24,100 openings/yr
$102,140/yr
High
6
Financial and investment analysts
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 25,100 openings/yr
$101,350/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Finance

How Washington University in St Louis stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$123K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$106K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Wake Forest University
NC · Private nonprofit
78
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
4.4x
ROI
Top score
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
90
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
44.7x
ROI
Also at Washington University in St Louis

Other top programs at Washington University in St Louis

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington University in St Louis, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Finance at Washington University in St Louis

What does a 81/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Finance at Washington University in St Louis?

At 81/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Finance at Washington University in St Louis?

The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Washington University in St Louis one of the best schools for Finance?

Among 431 Finance programs, Washington University in St Louis's #63 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Finance at Washington University in St Louis?

The 65% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $251,928. At a net cost of $88,468, the earnings multiple improves substantially.