Finance as a field offers a diverse range of career opportunities.
Whether you envision yourself in a high rise working on behalf of a multi-million dollar company or greeting customers by name at your small, local bank, a finance degree prepares you for countless roles in countless settings.
What kind of Bachelor in Finance degree should you get?
Most undergraduate degrees in finance are paired with a business administration degree. Though, some stand alone as well. If you want an education that provides a solid foundation in business concepts and applications, then look for those programs that offer a BBA or BSBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) with a concentration in finance.
However, if you want to allocate as much time and energy as possible to studying finance, then look for those business schools that allow you to enroll in a full finance major. You can even further specialize in wide-ranging areas such as real estate finance or investment banking.
And don’t forget to look into more flexible options. Earning a degree online is not only affordable, but you can do it at your own pace and without stepping foot on campus. Check out College Choice’s best online Bachelor in Finance degrees.
How much money do people make with a Bachelor in Finance degree?
Because there are a number of ways to apply a finance degree to your career, what you can expect to earn with the degree also varies. However, rest easy knowing your degree is setting you up to earn at least 50k annually.
That number, though, shoots up exponentially depending on your intended area of specialty. For example, personal financial advisors make over 90k annually. And financial managers with a BS in finance make, on average, over 121k a year.
Not only that, finance is as stable as it is lucrative. Those personal financial advisors mentioned above? It’s projected the need for them will rise an astounding 30 percent in just the next few years.
What are the requirements for a Bachelor in Finance degree?
All of the degrees below are housed in prestigious business schools with competitive expectations for applicants. However, you’ll have to take your general education core classes first. Be sure to nail these as well as your introductory business class. Then, apply to the business school during your sophomore year.
Once accepted, you can anticipate two years of classes on business fundamentals while specializing in finance. This means classes on everything from business administration to equity research, risk management, and investment strategies. Many programs offer professional development experiences too: internships, study abroad, business meet ups, and much more.
What are the best Bachelor in Finance degrees?
Though all the programs below vary in specialization, they are still the best Bachelor of Finance programs in the country. Whether you want to work in corporate consultation or investment, one of these programs will help you secure your future in finance.
To determine the best finance programs we started first with the academic reputation of each undergraduate business school nationwide. Then we factored in the retention rates, as it reveals student satisfaction. From there we included affordability and the early salaries of graduates.
Through such extensive research, we were able to find the absolute best finance programs in the nation. Our figures and information come from the university and colleges’ websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.
2018 Ranking
See our rankings methodology page.
1
Boston University
Overview
Boston University (BU) is a private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Over 30k students attend BU, enrolled in one of the university’s prestigious colleges or schools. BU is known for its research developments, especially in the areas of health, data science, and engineering biology.
Features
Students enrolled in BU’s Questrom School of Business can concentrate in the area of finance. This concentration (which operates as a major) introduces students to a wide-ranging take on business finance as well as administration and management. For example, a small sampling of BU’s coursework demonstrates the program’s diversity:
- Money, Financial Markets, and Economic Activity
- Corporate Financial Management
- Entertainment Finance (an LA immersion course)
- Investment Banking
Notables
U.S. News & World Report ranks BU 37th among all national universities. Dozens of Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Rhodes scholars, Fulbright scholars, and MacArthur fellows have graduated from BU. The university is a member of several elite organizations, such as the National Academy of Sciences.
2
Boston College
Overview
A member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Boston College (BC) is a private Catholic school. It is located in the Historic District of Boston with around 15k combined undergraduate and graduate students. BC is organized into nine schools and colleges across the disciplines.
Features
Boston College offers a degree in finance through the illustrious Carroll School of Management. Students take a number of courses in basic finance, corporate finance, investment banking, and more. So you will learn how to make important financial decisions as well as how to assess risk and returns. Some of the electives you can choose from include:
- Derivatives and Risk Management
- International Finance
- Fixed Income Analysis
- Financial Policy
Notables
Included in Forbes’ “America’s Top Colleges” ranking, Boston College is also ranked 32nd among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Likewise, its School of Business is top-ranked by Businessweek. Boston College is considered a “New Ivy.”
3
College of William and Mary
Overview
The College of William and Mary (W&M) is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is the nation’s second oldest institution of higher education and a public research university. Around 8k students attend W&M, enrolled in one of the college’s four schools.
Features
At William & Mary you will gain experience in everything from international finance to investment funds, financial history to valuation. Offered through the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, the W&S program provides a strong foundation in finance fundamentals. William & Mary’s core finance curriculum includes the following courses:
- Money & Debt Markets
- Equity Markets and Portfolio Management
- Corporate Financial Strategy
Notables
A Public Ivy, W&M is well-ranked by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Business Insider, and more. It is considered one of “America’s Top Colleges” and the 5th best public university in the U.S. Recently, The Princeton Review ranked W&S as having the happiest students.
4
Georgetown University
Overview
A Catholic research university located in the nation’s capital, Georgetown is organized into nine colleges and schools. However, it is most known for its School of Business, its medical center, and its law school. Nearly 20k graduate and undergraduate students attend Georgetown University.
Features
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business provides students with unique education opportunities. In addition to studying the theories, concepts, and applications of finance, you can also participate in global programs, from international internships to the global business fellow program. Graduates from Georgetown have gone on to work in:
- Sales and Trading
- Financial Consulting
- Private Equity
- Nonprofit Finance
Notables
Georgetown is the country’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit-affiliated university. Though, most of the student body is not Catholic, but drawn to the university for its academic excellence, strong rankings and programs, and research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks Georgetown 20th among all national universities.
5
Carnegie Mellon University
Overview
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is comprised of seven colleges and schools, including its highly regarded Tepper School of Business. CMU is a private university with over 13k students.
Features
Through CMU’s Tepper School of Business you will focus on how corporations, individuals, and independent agencies make money and make crucial financial decisions. You will also learn how to implement strategic research methodology while developing your own management and leadership philosophy. The CMU curriculum covers:
- Savings and Investment Strategies
- Financial Market Regulation
- International Finance
- Tax Effects
Notables
Newsweek includes Carnegie Mellon in its listing of New Ivies. And The Wall Street Journal, Businessweek, U.S. News & World Report all rank CMU well. It is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
6
New York University
Overview
Located in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, New York University (NYU) also has campuses throughout the city and world. NYU has over 50k students enrolled in one of the many colleges and schools. The Leonard N. Stern School of Business is one of the nation’s premier business schools.
Features
There’s hardly a better place to earn a finance degree than in the world’s center of commerce, New York City. At NYU finance students work closely with over 40 faculty members who are experts and leaders in financial research. In addition to unique classes on Chinese financial markets and the recent economic crash, core finance courses at NYU include:
- Corporate Finance
- Real Estate Capital Markets
- Alternative Investments
- Portfolio Management
Notables
NYU is an elite, prestigious university that has graduated hundreds of Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympic medalists, National Academies of Science members, and much more. U.S. News & World Report ranked NYU 30th among all national universities. And its research is funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, Google, the National Institutes of Health, among others.
7
Case Western Reserve University
Overview
Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a private university with approximately 12k undergraduate and graduate students. Case Western is one of the Midwest’s best institutions of higher learning.
Features
At Case Western Reserve University you can earn a BS in Management degree with a focus on Finance. Through this program you will learn the depths of global financial markets and valuation. You will also learn how to apply financial models and theories to real-world problems. This uniquely integrated degree prepares you for a career in:
- Corporate Finance
- Equity Research
- Investment Management
- Risk Management
Notables
BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal Washington Monthly, The Times, and U.S. News & World Report all rank Case Western well. It also ranks high for its federal expenditures in the STEM fields. On top of these academic merits, Case Western is also considered one of the nation’s friendliest schools for LGBTQ folks.
8
Fordham University
Overview
Founded by the Catholic Diocese of New York, Fordham University is a private research school. It is located in New York City, the only Jesuit institution of higher education within the five boroughs. Fordham is home to over 15k students who are enrolled in one of the four undergraduate or six graduate schools.
Features
At Fordham you can earn a full BS in Finance or you can concentrate in finance through a business administration degree. Whichever route you take, Fordham’s curriculums cover financial modeling, global investments, future markets, hedge funds, real estate finance, and much more. On top of this, Fordham offers unique opportunities to specialize in areas such as:
- Alternative Investments
- Value Investing
- Fintech
Notables
Fordham University has graduated numerous U.S. senators and representatives, attorney generals, Catholic Church cardinals, governors, and more. With a reputation for vibrant research activity, Fordham is most known for its contributions in the areas of biology, geology, and medicine.
9
University of Southern California
Overview
The University of Southern California (USC) is located in Los Angeles with nearly 20k enrolled students. With its proximity to Silicon Valley and its long emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, USC is known for its programs in business and engineering.
Features
USC’s Marshall School of Business offers an undergraduate business administration degree that can be smoothly paired with a concentration in finance. This top-ranked business school is notably student-centric, providing its undergraduates with a number of professional immersion experiences. The finance classes at USC include:
- Micro and Macroeconomics for Business
- Operations Management
- Business Finance
- Accounting
Notables
USC is one of the nation’s top fundraising institutions. It is also one of the nation’s top schools, ranked 25th by U.S. News & World Report. And it is a member of the Association of American Universities.
10
DePaul University
Overview
A private university affiliated with the Catholic Church, DePaul University is located in Chicago. DePaul has around 22k combined undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in one of its several colleges and schools. Students come from all over the country and world to attend DePaul.
Features
DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business houses the renowned Finance Lab. This lab offers students dozens of computer stations with trading platforms, analytical tools, risk management software, and much more. The College of Business also provides students an academic foundation in the fundamentals and advanced concepts of finance. Classes include:
- Wealth Management
- Institutional Asset Management
- Financial Planning and Analysis
- Financial Management and Control
Notables
DePaul is often included among “College of the Year” listings from Time Magazine and Princeton Review. It is known for its business, computing and digital media, and continuing and professional education schools, and is thus ranked 123rd among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report.
11
Lehigh University
Overview
Lehigh University is a private research school based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is comprised of four colleges, in Engineering and Applied Science, the Arts & Sciences, Business and Economics, and Education. Lehigh is a small school with only around 7k students.
Features
The finance major at Lehigh is offered through the College of Business and Economics (CBE). It builds on the CBE integrated core by concentrating on the private sector. As a Lehigh student, then, you will choose among a diversity of electives in accounting, computer science, and economics, while being introduced to private corporate finance. Some of the classes you can anticipate taking at Lehigh include:
- Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
- Corporate Finance Policy
- Financial Markets and Institutions
- Global Finance
Notables
Lehigh is ranked 44th among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report. It is also praised for its academic excellence and extra-curricular offerings by The Economist, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Princeton Review. Lehigh is considered one of the nation’s Hidden Ivies.
12
University of Richmond
Overview
A liberal arts college, the University of Richmond (UR) is organized into five schools, including its renowned E. Claiborne Robins School of Business. UR offers more than 100 majors in an array of disciplines and subjects. It is a small school, with only around 4k combined undergraduate and graduate students.
Features
The University of Richmond offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree. Through this program you can concentrate in finance, and then specialize even further by enrolling in the Investments and Securities track or the Corporate Finance Track. Whichever route you take, you will build a sturdy foundation in finance basics and advanced concepts. Some UR classes include:
- The Economics of Money, Banking, and Financial Markets
- Alternative Assets
- International Financial Management
- Deal Structure and Valuation
Notables
UR’s Robin School of Business is over 60 years old. It is ranked 12th nationally overall by Businessweek. And it is the only business school that is also part of a top-ranked liberal arts university. The University of Richmond as a whole is included among “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report.
13
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Overview
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is located in Cambridge and has around 12k combined undergraduate and grad students. MIT was originally founded as a polytechnic school, but it now offers hundreds of academic programs across fields and disciplines while still maintaining its STEM focus.
Features
MIT offers a unique way to earn a Bachelor in Finance: enroll in what they call their “15-1: Management” program. This is a highly flexible major that allows students to study a subject in depth (such as finance) or design an interdisciplinary program according to their interests. Despite the flexibility, MIT’s program ensures you still study the foundational subjects, including
- Communications
- Micro and macroeconomics
- Organizational Processes
- Probability and Statistics
Notables
MIT is ranked 7th in the nation among all colleges and universities by U.S. News & World Report. It is one of the most prestigious polytechnical schools in the world, as well as one of the most active research universities. MIT graduates have become MacArthur Fellows and won Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes.
14
Bentley University
Overview
Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, just west of Boston, Bentley University specializes in delivering business education. Bentley offers nearly a dozen different degrees in the business fields, from joint technology and business programs to traditional majors in accounting, finance, management, and more.
Features
At Bentley you can expect to polish your analytical skills while learning how finance works within both local and global settings. You will take classes on the financial environment of business, corporate decision-making, investment, and valuation. Bentley also offers three areas of concentration:
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Planning
Notables
Bentley has been educating future business leaders for 100 years, which shows in its rankings. U.S. News & World Report includes Bentley among the top 50 best undergraduate business programs in the country. Similarly, Bloomberg Businessweek includes it among its best business school rankings nearly every year.
15
Washington University St. Louis
Overview
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a private research school. It is organized into seven graduate and undergraduate schools, through which it offers hundreds of academic degree programs. Though, WashU is maybe best known for its Olin Business School.
Features
Washington University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree through which you can concentrate in finance. This program stresses the importance of leadership formation in addition to providing a global perspective on finance. WashU’s numbers speak for themselves:
- This program has a 97 percent job placement rate
- 83 percent of classes have less than 50 students
- There are 20 study abroad programs (in 15 countries)
- 100 percent of admitted students receive financial help
Notables
WashU has graduated dozens of Nobel Laureates and is ranked 18th among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Similarly, many of WashU’s individual departments and colleges are nationally ranked too. Among those programs, its business, social work, and medicine degrees are some of the best in the U.S.
16
Providence College
Overview
A Roman Catholic university located in Providence, Rhode Island, Providence College (PC) is home to 4k students. PC offers 50 majors plus another 34 minors. It is organized into four schools in the arts and sciences, business, professional studies, and continuing education.
Features
Proffered through the Department of Finance, Providence College offers a BS in Finance degree. Through this program you will learn the ins and outs of three key areas in finance: corporate finance, investments, and financial institutions. Further, PC’s finance core is comprised of the following classes:
- Principles of Micro and Macroeconomics
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Finance
- Financial Markets and Institutions
Notables
Providence College is known for its emphasis on liberal arts and classical education. Regardless of major, students are required to take classes in Western civilization, theology, fine arts, and philosophy. On top of this, students are expected to polish their writing and communication skills and to participate in civil engagement.
17
Southern Methodist University
Overview
Located in Dallas, Texas, Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private, research school. Organized into seven schools with around 12k undergraduate and graduate students, SMU was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Today it is now owned and run by the United Methodist Church.
Features
At SMU you can earn a Bachelor in Business Administration degree with specialization in finance. You’ll take classes such as business communications and leader development as well as the finance fundamentals: business statistics, financial management, global economies, and more. Southern Methodist University is also home to the following renowned research centers:
- The Kitt Investment and Trading Center
- The Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies
- The EnCap Investments & LCM Group Alternative Asset Management Center
Notables
SMU, home to the prestigious George W. Bush Presidential Center, is ranked as among the top 100 universities in the country. In addition to its holistic ranking, SMU’s Cox School of Business is lauded by The Economist, BusinessWeek, Entrepreneur Magazine, and much more.
18
Emory University
Overview
Emory University is a private school located in Atlanta. It is organized into nine academic colleges and schools, with its business, health, and social science schools being among the most highly regarded. Approximately 15k students combined undergraduate and graduate students attend Emory.
Features
The undergraduate finance degree at Emory is offered through the prestigious Goizueta Business School. This program teaches students everything from the impact of efficient market hypothesis to contingent-claim pricing. In between you’ll also learn all about capital budgeting, money management, and risk assessment. Graduates have gone on to become:
- Corporate Financial Consultants
- Budget Analysts
- Chief Financial Officers
- Merger and Acquisition Specialists
Notables
Emory is ranked 21st among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report. It is considered both a Hidden Ivy and a New Ivy. It also consistently makes the competitive rankings from ARWU, Times Higher Education, Forbes, Washington Monthly, and more.
19
University of Miami
Overview
Located in Coral Gables, Florida, the University of Miami (UM) is a private, research university. It is organized into a dozen colleges and schools, and it is home to over 16k students. UM offers nearly 300 academic programs across all degree levels.
Features
At the University of Miami students earn business administration degrees that can be paired with a concentration of their choice, finance among them. Miami distinctively provides a global perspective throughout the entirety of their curriculum. But they also ensure students receive tons of hands-on, professional experience before graduation too. For example, some of Miami’s special programs for business students include:
- Mentorship programs
- Student Managed Investment Fund
- Study Abroad opportunities
- Global Business Studies minor
Notables
UM students represent all 50 states and nearly 150 countries worldwide. In addition to being considered one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, many of UM’s departments are well ranked too. Among them, the economics, business, and law programs are some of the nation’s best.
20
Northeastern University
Overview
Located in Boston, Northeastern University is an active research university. Though it is a large school with a reputation for its many research contributions among the sciences, Northeastern is also known for its focus on liberal arts education and its commitment to experiential learning education. Over 25k student attend Northeastern.
Features
Northeastern offers a Bachelor in Finance degree through the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. In this program students gain important management skills while learning about an array of business, individual, and government assets. You’ll have the opportunity to study financial risk management, real estate finance, and hedge funds while also specializing in one of Northeastern’s concentration areas:
- Corporate Finance
- Investment Analysis
- International Financial Management
Notables
Northeastern is home to one of the largest co-op/internship programs in the world. It is over 100 years old and allows students to alternate between academic study and paid professional employment, giving them useful hands-on experience before they even graduate.
21
Babson College
Overview
Babson College is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It is a small, private business school that is often designated as one of the nation’s most impressive entrepreneurship colleges. Undergraduate students major in business administration and concentrate in one of the 25 areas of concentrations.
Features
Students concentrating in finance at Babson are given four tracks for study: corporate financial management, investment banking, corporate advising, and real estate. You’ll also work on your analysis, management, and communication skills. Some of the classes you’ll take while at Babson include:
- Corporate Financial Management
- Security Valuation
- Real Estate Investment
- Financial Markets and Instruments
Notables
Babson maintains a close relationship with Olin College and Wellesley College. It also has a West Coast campus called Babson San Francisco, which is both a blended MBA program and an opportunity for students to gain hands-on learning experience in the Bay Area. U.S. News & World Report ranks Babson first among all entrepreneurship colleges in the nation.
22
University of St. Thomas
Overview
The University of St. Thomas is a private, Catholic school located in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. It offers liberal arts education to its 10k students and was founded as a theological seminary. Today, it offers numerous degree opportunities.
Features
The Opus College of Business at St. Thomas offers a degree in finance that fully prepares students for careers in corporate finance, investment, portfolio management, and more. In fact graduates from this program have become everything from financial analysts to loan officers. St. Thomas’ curriculum involves service requirements and covers the following:
- Business Ethics
- Business Learning through Service
- Fixed Income Securities
- Strategic Finance
Notables
The University of St. Thomas is well-ranked by Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly. It is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities. Meaning, students have the unique opportunity to take classes at Hamline, Macalester, Augsburg, or St. Catherine.
23
University of Georgia
Overview
The University of Georgia (UGA) is located in Athens. It is a prominent research university that has made huge research contributions, notably in the fields of medicine, business, and health sciences. UGA is a public school with more than 36k undergraduate and graduate students.
Features
The University of Georgia’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance is equally driven by theory as it is application. Meaning, you will learn to understand complex concepts such as risk assessment and investment decision-making, but you will also learn how best to manage wealth, assets, and more. UGA’s program is steeped in the following areas of finance:
- Investment Management
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Trading Strategies
- International Finance
Notables
UGA is ranked 56th among all national universities and colleges by U.S. News & World Report. ARWU, Forbes, and Washington Monthly also rank UGA among the top 100 universities in the country. UGA is considered a Public Ivy.
24
Pennsylvania State University
Overview
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is an elite, research university. It has multiple campuses, including its highly regarded World Campus. Penn State has over 100k combined undergraduate and graduate students, with hundreds of academic degree programs. Penn State is consistently included among the top 100 universities in the world.
Features
Penn State’s Smeal College of Business is home to an illustrious Department of Finance. Here you can earn a degree that introduces you to investment analysis, management of banks, and the financial management of corporations. Some of the topics you’ll explore while at Smeal include:
- Business Finance
- Security Markets
- Futures and Options Markets
- Investment Valuations
Notables
Penn State is on the best national and global universities rankings from Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, QS World University Rankings, and more. It is also ranked 14th among all U.S. public universities too.
25
Michigan State University
Overview
Located in the state’s capital, East Lansing, Michigan State University (MSU) offers more than 200 degrees, in a diverse range of academic areas, through its 17 colleges and schools. The MSU campus houses a renowned botanical garden, art museum, planetarium, plus dozens of notable research centers.
Features
The Bachelor of Finance degree at Michigan State is uniquely three-tiered in that it integrates corporate financial management, management of financial institutions, and investments. You will graduate ready for a career in an array of settings, from brokerage firms to credit unions. MSU’s finance core is comprised of the following classes:
- Introduction to Investments
- Management of Financial Institutions
- Computer Applications for Financial Modeling
- Debt and Money Markets
Notables
MSU is ranked 82nd among all national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Likewise, U.S. News ranks a number of the university’s individual departments as among the top 50 in the country, including its business, medicine, and health science departments.