Compare 38 Public Finance. programs in the West. Average earnings: $72,210.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Finance tells a different story. Across 38 programs, earnings range from $69,537 to $106,444—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Santa Clara University's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $106,444, well above the $72,210 average. University of San Francisco follows at $98,950, while Brigham Young University produces graduates earning $96,161—proof that program-level factors drive outcomes across diverse institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Brigham Young University graduates borrow $11,069 and face just a 2.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. When parent loans are included, BYU maintains a 4.1% family burden, proving exceptional affordability alongside strong outcomes.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $106,444 | 149 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $98,950 | 111 | $23,000 | Excellent | $44,413 | Manageable |
| #3 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $96,161 | 180 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #4 | $94,385 | 299 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #5 | University Of UtahPublic | $90,829 | 147 | $19,000 | Excellent | $18,886 | Good |
| #6 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $90,660 | 105 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | Manageable |
| #7 | Regis UniversityPrivate | $90,142 | 17 | $25,000 | Excellent | $17,700 | Good |
| #8 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $88,295 | 231 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | Challenging |
| #9 | $87,870 | 27 | $22,990 | Excellent | $38,376 | Manageable | |
| #10 | University Of DenverPrivate | $84,578 | 134 | $21,844 | Excellent | $27,813 | Good |
| #11 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $84,392 | 212 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Manageable |
| #12 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $83,180 | 134 | $14,750 | Excellent | $9,582 | Excellent |
| #13 | $81,283 | 100 | $13,969 | Excellent | $7,556 | Excellent | |
| #14 | Linfield UniversityPrivate | $76,117 | 16 | $25,000 | Excellent | $36,067 | Manageable |
| #15 | $75,397 | 375 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $70,504 | 198 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $70,265 | 69 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #18 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $70,076 | 116 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Challenging |
| #19 | Utah State UniversityPublic | $69,741 | 105 | $14,340 | Excellent | $13,923 | Good |
| #20 | $69,537 | 77 | $21,500 | Excellent | $13,743 | Good | |
| #21 | $67,089 | 135 | $18,922 | Excellent | $26,150 | Manageable | |
| #22 | Boise State UniversityPublic | $66,350 | 70 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,968 | Manageable |
| #23 | $65,577 | 21 | $20,210 | Excellent | $15,360 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $65,045 | 163 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,859 | Manageable | |
| #25 | University Of IdahoPublic | $64,881 | 56 | $21,982 | Excellent | $21,162 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
