Attending the best finance colleges can give you the foundation you need to dive into the fascinating world of finance. Students often work for individuals or large corporations as Certified Financial Planners or Financial Analysts. If money and numbers have always been two of your primary interests, you’ll find that this career avenue is diverse and exciting in many ways.
Finance Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Finding the ideal college for finance can be time-consuming, as there are many programs to consider. We’ve found 10 of the top options you will find across different states to help you get started. Each of these schools meets the following criteria:
- An average annual cost of no more than $22,000
- A median starting salary no lower than $50,000
- Accredited programs by recognized bodies
10 Best Finance Colleges
1. University of Phoenix – New Mexico
4 Year; Albuquerque, NM
Average Annual Cost: $11,080
Finance is one of the most popular fields of study through the University of Phoenix – New Mexico. They have a well-rounded program that helps students learn about financial planning, ethics, risks, investing, and more. With your courses, you’ll be fully prepared to make solid business decisions for yourself and your clients.
By enrolling in the University of Phoenix – New Mexico, you will receive a Financial Planning or Finance certificate. With the Financial Planning certificate, you can move onto a four-year program to acquire a Bachelor of Science in Business. Alternatively, graduate students can use their Finance certificate to further their graduate studies.
There are several fantastic course options you can choose from at this school. A few examples include:
- Principles of Microeconomics
- The Digital Economy
- Financial Institutions
- School Finance for Educators
- School Finance and Facilities Management
2. University of Phoenix – Utah
4 Year; Salt Lake City, UT
Average Annual Cost: $11,080
Residents of Utah should consider the University of Phoenix – Utah for their finance program. It is similar to the New Mexico program, as the University of Phoenix is entirely online. Whether you’re a working student or have a tight schedule, online finance classes make it easier to obtain your certificate.
Students can browse through 20 different finance courses to take to begin working towards their certificate. Upon completion, you can use your finance certificate to attend a four-year course or use it towards your graduate education.
As such a versatile program, it’s easily one of the more popular options for professionals. There are dozens of course options you can take in this degree program, including:
- Financial Institutions
- Personal Finance
- Global Economics
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
With the ability to choose different elective courses, you can specialize in a specific area of finance. As you can imagine, this process makes it much simpler for students to graduate with employable skills in their desired field. Also, all of your compulsory coursework builds the foundation for your future career.
Studying at the University of Phoenix – Utah opens the door to many opportunities. Students will have a five- to six-week-long experience that explores business and corporate finance, capital management, real estate investment, and more. Every course is taught by industry-leading professionals, such as CFOs and CEOs with over 15 years of finance and business experience.
3. Florida Institute of Technology – Online
4 Year; Melbourne, FL
Average Annual Cost: $12,240
Students looking to earn a four-year degree from a reputable institution will find the programs offered by the Florida Institute of Technology – Online ideal. Their online courses allow you to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Finance, giving you a competitive edge in such a popular sector.
Students will explore international trade, money management, real estate, insurance, financial planning, and more. Expect to learn multiple facets of macro and microeconomics as well as business law, statistics, accounting, portfolio management, and more. Undoubtedly, by the conclusion of your four-year program, you can obtain gainful employment in multiple industries, including:
- Personal Financial Planning
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Analysis
- Investing
Another concept that makes this program unique is that they offer a hands-on learning experience. With a finance major, you will work with capital budgeting projects, asset management, and real-world financial statements. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a diverse list of corporate executives, which should help prepare you for your future career.
4. Brigham Young University – Provo
4 Year; Provo, UT
Average Annual Cost: $13,322
Pursuing a finance degree from Brigham Young University – Provo makes you a part of the BYU Marriott School of Business. The incredible opportunities students will experience after their studies can help them work in nearly 100 different companies. This program is home to some of the state’s best faculty members with numerous years of experience.
While enrolled, you will embark on a rigorous avenue of study, exposing you to various concepts such as fixed-income, capital markets, investment, and corporate finance. The program becomes most notable during your senior year when you get to focus on specialties.
Students can adapt their electives to help them pursue specific concentrations for their desired careers. With 64 credit hours required for graduation, you can guarantee to take many renowned courses at Brigham Young University – Provo. Some of the most common examples include:
- Principles of Statistics
- Principles of Accounting
- Marketing Management
- Principles of Finance
- Introduction to Management Information Systems
- Introduction to Operations Management
- Financial Derivatives
5. Walden University
4 Year; Minneapolis, MN
Average Annual Cost: $13,365
The finance program from Walden University is structured similarly to other programs nationwide. Students will work towards a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance. You are bound to be exposed to a well-rounded number of concepts to help you become a more employable individual.
The central premise of this program is to help students learn to effectively guide and assess a business’s financial operations. With a strong focus on business fundamentals, you will also explore the key financial elements of organizations to help direct companies to optimize their value.
As one of the best finance colleges in the nation, it’s important to note that this finance program is slightly more rigorous than others. Students will need to complete 135 semester credits with 45 credits completed at Walden University. The specific breakdown for the degree completion requirements is as follows:
- 61 Business credits
- 15 Concentration credits
- 55 Elective credits
- 5 Capstone credits
- 45 General education credits
With the higher tier requirements for graduation, students can also guarantee they’ll have access to a diverse number of courses. The most common course selections include:
- Business Statistics
- Personal and Organizational Leadership
- Microeconomics
- Fundamentals of Accounting
- Introduction to Management
6. Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration
4 Year; Troy, MI
Average Annual Cost: $14,175
The finance program at Walsh College guarantees that students receive ROEI (Return on Educational Investment). With your enrollment, you will be placed in top-tier courses to help you diversify your skills as a finance professional. Also, upon the completion of your studies, you will be granted a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, a highly desirable degree.
In the BBA-FIN program, students will gather real-world experiences and develop their practical skills to pursue a finance-related career. You will explore communications, information technology, business strategy, accounting, and market analysis concepts. Many graduates find themselves working in several fields post-graduation, including:
- Financial planning
- Commercial lending
- Corporate finance
- Credit and financial analysis
- Financial institution management
- Banking
One of the more unique opportunities students can use to their advantage is the FastTrack Education program. Using this pathway, you can acquire your degree at an accelerated pace, whether you are pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. You’d be able to obtain your degree within two years, making it great for mature students.
7. National University
4 Year; La Jolla, CA
Average Annual Cost: $14,664
National University has a prestigious Bachelor of Science in Financial Management program for prospective students. It is a fast-paced avenue of study, offering four-week classes to help you work towards your degree. You will gather theoretical and practical knowledge about managing financial resources and creating wealth during your studies.
When you enroll in the program, you’ll have an assortment of classes to browse through. It’s essential you choose courses that will help you with your future career. A few popular examples include:
- Corporate finance
- Banking
- Personal finance
- Financial analysis
- Credit and lending
- Financial markets
- Financial institutions
Compared to other programs, this finance pathway helps you get hands-on training in data analysis rather than theoretical monitoring. You will learn how finances work and advise real senior managers on maximizing a company’s profits. All of your coursework will revolve around various tenets of the finance sector, including global economic environments.
You can expect to experience several outcomes during your time at National University. Students are expected to learn how to explain financial market operations, examine financial positions, and understand legal, ethical, and global economic concerns. You will also get plenty of experience working alongside financial managers.
8. Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs
4 Year; Colorado Springs, CO
Average Annual Cost: $16,435
The Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs helps students obtain their dream finance degrees online. Instead of visiting an on-campus classroom, you can participate in lessons from the comfort of your home. By enrolling at this school, you will be working towards earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance degree.
Students will explore several fascinating finance-related concepts for non-profit, public, private, small, and large organizations. As a result, you will develop a solid financial understanding of capital and money markets, financial accounting, risk assessment, and investments. With a significant job growth predicted over the next nine years, it’s a great avenue of study.
You will experience multiple benefits during your time at the Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs. Students can take the CTU Fast Track pathway, allowing them to earn college credits of specialties you already know. Also, the school features flexible course schedules to adapt to your personal life as well as scholarships and grants.
Students will be required to obtain 180 credit hours, with 66 general education credits, 86 business administration credits, and 28 finance credits. You will participate in several courses, including:
- Speech Communications
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Technical and Professional Writing
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- World Values and Cultures
- Business Ethics and Leadership
9. Capella University
4 Year; Minneapolis, MN
Average Annual Cost: Tuition and Fees
Capella University helps students obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a finance specialty in 180 total credits. Their program is flexible for students from existing schools, as you can transfer up to 135 credits. During your studies, you will be expected to take electives, core courses, specializations, and general education courses.
With this degree program, students will establish a strong foundation in management and leadership. They will also understand risk management and entrepreneurship, ideal for owning their own business. As an added benefit, a significant portion of the program explores the abilities and skills needed to enter finance.
Students need to acquire 180 credits to be awarded their Bachelor of Science in Business degree. There are many courses you will explore during your enrollment, including:
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Investments and Portfolio Management
- Financial Markets and Institutions
- Foundations in Finance
- Analysis for Financial Management
You will also find several program objectives students will be required to meet during their studies. You will need to be able to analyze economic and financial data, communicate effectively, and use ethical and legal standards to develop financial guidelines. Your studies also prepare you to use technological strategies to make financial decisions and evaluate globalization’s effect on financial markets.
10. University of Baltimore
4 Year; Baltimore, MD
Average Annual Cost: $21,183
The University of Baltimore offers a unique finance specialization learning pathway. This process ensures students take courses that can directly assist their desired career tracks. For example, you can tailor your courses to help you pursue a career as a Financial Analyst or Financial Planner.
As an undergraduate student, you will be working towards a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with Finance Specialization. The school’s curriculum is one of the most diverse, exploring all the fundamentals, such as insurance, investment banking, wealth management, and corporate finance.
Upon graduation, you will have the confidence and knowledge to help you be a positive contributor to private, public, for-profit, and non-profit companies. To obtain your degree, you will get 38 general education credits, 24 lower-division business credits, 31 upper-division business credits, and 12 finance specialization credits.
Some of the most common courses students sign up for include:
- English Composition
- Marketing Management
- Personal and Professional Skills for Business
- Strategic Management
- Excel for Financial Analysis
- Financial Modeling and Communications
- Income Taxation
- Risk and Insurance
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Property and Casualty Risk
