Is 30 Too Old To Get a Finance Degree?

Many students choose to start or return to college when they're older. There are a variety of flexible degree options for adult students, including degrees in finance.

30 is not too old to get a finance degree, and there are actually some benefits to earning a degree in your 30s. We break it all down below.

Reasons To Earn Your Finance Degree at 30

There are a few reasons why you may want to earn your finance degree in your 30s. These include entering an in-demand field, securing a well-paying job, and the opportunity for stability.

In-Demand Roles

Many of the roles you can get with a degree in finance are currently in demand and are projected to increase in demand over the next 10 years. For example, jobs for financial advisors are expected to increase by 13% over the next decade.

Higher Salaries

In addition to high-demand roles, many roles in finance offer good salaries. While salary will vary between role, location, and level of experience, financial managers, for example, make a median salary of over six figures.

Opportunity for Stability

Earning a bachelor's degree in a field that is in demand and pays well can offer you stability and consistency in your life. It can also reduce stress, as you are less worried about finances or about finding or keeping a job.

What Will I Learn In a Finance Degree Program?

Finance degree programs are designed to teach students the ins and outs of the financial market. Students also learn how to make smart money moves and how to advise clients.

Common courses in finance degree programs include:

• Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Business Ethics
• Finance Laws and Regulations
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Markets
• Investing

Some finance degrees offer concentrations, so you can tailor your degree program to your career programs. Examples of concentrations in finance include financial planning and real estate.

What Can I Do With My Finance Degree?

There are a few different career options available to individuals with a finance degree. Many types of companies across all sectors need employees with finance degrees, leading to a high demand and a wide variety of opportunities.

Budget Analyst

The role of a budget analyst is exactly what it sounds like: they come in and analyze an organization's budget. They also help develop and manage those budgets.

Many budget analysts work for the federal, state, or local governments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts demand for budget analysts will increase 5% by 2022, which is faster than average.

Cost Estimators

A cost estimator is responsible for determining exactly how much it will cost a company to make a product or service. To do this, they look at things like time, materials, and labor.

Cost estimators most often work for construction or manufacturing companies. It's one of the only finance roles that is expected to see a slight decline over the next ten years.

Financial Analyst

Finance analysts help businesses and individuals make decisions about money. These decisions are typically meant to help increase income or profits. They often work for financial investment firms but may also work directly for the business.

The BLS estimates that demand for financial analysts will increase by 8% over the next decade.

Financial Manager

A financial manager is in charge of managing the overall finances of an organization. They may create reports, direct investments, and develop financial plans.

Financial managers can work for companies in a variety of industries, including finance, government, manufacturing, and more. According to the BLS, demand for financial advisors is expected to increase by 16% over the next ten years.

Personal Financial Advisor

Instead of managing the finances of corporations, personal financial advisors help individuals manage their finances. They help clients develop and work toward their financial goals.

Personal financial advisors usually work for companies that offer financial services. The BLS anticipates that demand for personal financial advisors will grow by 13% over the next decade.

FAQs About Starting a Finance Degree at 30

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about starting a finance degree at 30.

Are There Benefits To Starting My Finance Degree at 30?

There are a few benefits to starting a finance degree at 30, including:

• the opportunity to bring learned skills, like time management, to a college program
• a better sense of what your goals are
• a unique perspective that many other classmates won't have
• opportunities for financial aid geared specifically toward adult students

Will Transfer Credits Apply To My Finance Degree?

In most cases, you should be able to apply previously earned credits toward your finance degree. However, your credits will need to come from a regionally accredited university. Additionally, not all credits may transfer.

You will likely be able to transfer general education credits, but if you started to earn your degree in an unrelated field, such as liberal arts, some major credits may not transfer.

Can I Complete My Finance Degree Online?

Several popular online colleges and universities offer online finance degrees, including;

• Arizona State University Online
• Colorado State University Global
• Purdue Global
• Southern New Hampshire University
• UMass Global
• University of Maryland Global
• Western Governors University