10 Best Finance Majors For the Future

<p>Finance is a top major for students who want to help businesses and people understand how to manage money. In addition to traditional finance programs, some schools offer degrees in specific areas of the field (e.g., financial planning, corporate finance, financial analysis, etc.). </p> <p>So, which are the best majors for finance? It depends on your academic interests and career goals. Fortunately, many schools offer accredited programs that can lead to rewarding and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/high_paying_Finance_jobs.html">high-paying finance jobs</a>. Keep reading to learn more. </p> <h2 id="section---BestFinanceMajorsForTheFutureJobMarket">Best Finance Majors for the Future Job Market</h2> <p>Finance is a growing field with majors for students with varied interests. But which is the best and most useful finance degree? You might consider those with good job and salary prospects. If you're unsure where to start, review the majors below. </p> <h3 id="section---1.FinancialAccounting">1. Financial Accounting</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $87,000 to $141,000 </li></ul><p>Financial accounting degrees are good for learners who want to pursue the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/highest_paying_accounting_jobs.html">highest-paying accounting jobs</a>. Learners study advanced accounting, tax, international accounting, and other related concepts. With a four-year bachelor's degree, students can pursue roles such as corporate controller, budget analyst, certified public accountant (CPA), and certified management accountant (CMA). </p> <h3 id="section---2.FinancialTechnology">2. Financial Technology</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $87,000 to $137,000 </li></ul><p>A four-year bachelor's degree in financial technology (FinTech) combines finance and technology through coursework in computer science, banking, blockchain, and more. This program qualifies students for careers as information security analysts, business management developers, financial analysts, and quantitative analysts. </p> <h3 id="section---3.FinancialManagement">3. Financial Management</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $86,000 to $161,000 </li></ul><p>A bachelor's degree in financial management typically requires four years of coursework in risk management, investment, international trade, and related fields. Students learn how to help businesses meet their financial goals through resource timing, sourcing, and allocation. This degree can prepare students for roles as financial managers, business analysts, and financial examiners. </p> <h3 id="section---4.FinancialPlanningAndWealthManagement">4. Financial Planning and Wealth Management</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $83,000 to $103,000 </li></ul><p>Financial planning and wealth management bachelor's programs prepare students to help clients make financial decisions and achieve financial goals related to income taxes, investments, and insurance. Four-year degree graduates can pursue roles as certified financial planners, wealth managers, personal financial advisors, and portfolio managers. </p> <h3 id="section---5.FinancialAnalysis">5. Financial Analysis</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $79,000 to $161,000 </li></ul><p>Financial analysis programs are often a part of a bachelor's degree in finance. Coursework examines capital budgeting, asset valuation, mergers and acquisitions theory, and more. Job titles of students who complete these programs include insurance underwriter, financial manager, and budget analyst. Programs can also lay the foundation for students who want to become chartered financial analysts (CFAs). </p> <h3 id="section---6.RiskManagement">6. Risk Management</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $79,000 to $116,000 </li></ul><p>Risk management bachelor's programs prepare learners for positions in financial risk analysis, credit analysis, general management, insurance underwriting, and beyond. Enrollees learn about the impact of risk on businesses and individuals, the techniques used to protect assets, and the steps involved in identifying and analyzing risk. </p> <h3 id="section---7.Finance">7. Finance</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $76,000 to $117,000 </li></ul><p>A finance degree is the most popular college major for students who want to enter the field. Bachelor's programs explore concepts such as personal financial planning, international investment, and real estate. Degrees might offer specializations in business administration, capital markets, banking, or other fields to prepare learners for jobs in investment banking, risk management, market analysis, and beyond. </p> <h3 id="section---8.CommercialBanking">8. Commercial Banking</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $67,000 to $103,000 </li></ul><p>A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in finance or banking with a commercial banking track is a common degree route for learners who want to pursue this career. Students learn about investment management, commercial bank management, and credit analysis as they prepare for roles as compliance managers, credit analysts, branch managers, and portfolio managers. </p> <h3 id="section---9.CorporateFinance">9. Corporate Finance</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $61,000 to $111,000 </li></ul><p>Corporate finance programs prepare students for finance roles in corporate settings. Coursework teaches how to maximize the bottom line for businesses, secure merger and acquisition deals, and manage large monetary funds. Upon completion of a four-year bachelor's program, students can become benefits specialists, financial analysts, investment managers, and beyond. </p> <h3 id="section---10.RealEstateFinance">10. Real Estate Finance</h3> <ul><li><b>Average salary range:</b> $58,000 to $100,000 </li></ul><p>Real estate finance degrees can prepare learners to become financial examiners, real estate brokers, title examiners, and project management specialists. Concepts explored in four-year bachelor's programs often include real estate fundamentals, financial decision-making, real estate law, and managerial finance. </p> <h2 id="section---TopOnlineFinanceDegreePrograms">Top Online Finance Degree Programs</h2> <p>If you're ready to find the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_finance_degree.html">best online finance degree</a> for pursuing one of several exciting finance career paths, many associate, bachelor's, and master's degree options are available. Explore the schools below to discover affordable online finance programs nationwide. </p> <h3 id="section---1.SouthernNewHampshireUniversity">1. Southern New Hampshire University</h3> <p>Southern New Hampshire University's Associate of Science (AS) in finance is a 60-credit online degree for students who aren't ready to commit to a bachelor's degree program but want to gain key skills in the field. Finance courses, delivered in eight-week sessions, boost learners' problem-solving and financial decision-making skills. Coursework teaches financial planning, forecasting, and corporate finance. </p> <p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $330 per credit (in-state and out-of-state) </p> <p><b>Accreditation:</b> New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) </p> <h3 id="section---2.SoutheasternOklahomaStateUniversity">2. Southeastern Oklahoma State University</h3> <p>At Southeastern Oklahoma State University, students can pursue a flexible 100% online BBA in finance that teaches fundamental business concepts and prepares students for financial services roles in real estate finance, risk management, and corporate finance. Internships are available. Multiple start dates and the option to transfer up to 90 credits can help business majors speed up degree completion. </p> <p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $321 per credit (in-state and out-of-state) </p> <p><b>Accreditation:</b> Higher Learning Commission (HLC) </p> <h3 id="section---3.OregonStateUniversity">3. Oregon State University</h3> <p>Oregon State University offers an online finance degree that students can pursue as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). This program helps enhance enrollees' investing, financial management, and portfolio management skills. A financial planning option is available with coursework in insurance, tax, retirement, and estate planning. </p> <p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $411 per credit (in-state and out-of-state) </p> <p><b>Accreditation:</b> Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) </p> <h3 id="section---4.LouisianaStateUniversity">4. Louisiana State University</h3> <p>Students seeking the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_online_finance_degrees.html">fastest online finance degrees</a> can find an accelerated 10-month online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in finance at Louisiana State University. In this MBA program, enrollees prepare for finance roles in asset management, hedge fund investment management, corporate finance, and beyond. Coursework focuses on financial markets, marketing strategy, and financial management. </p> <p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $484 per credit (in-state and out-of-state) </p> <p><b>Accreditation:</b> Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) </p> <h3 id="section---5.WestTexasAMUniversity">5. West Texas A&amp;M University</h3> <p>The Master of Science in Finance and Economics (MSFE) program at West Texas A&amp;M University is a 100% online program for students interested in working for a financial institution, pursuing an economics consulting role, or teaching finance at a high school or college. Faculty teaching this program explore financial planning, asset valuation, international business, corporate finance, and beyond. </p> <p><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $490 per credit (in-state); Starting at $520 per credit (out-of-state) </p> <p><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC </p> <h2 id="section---JobMarketOutlookForFinanceMajors">Job Market Outlook for Finance Majors</h2> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for all business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than average until 2033. However, some occupations are expected to grow faster than others. Here is a quick look at the job outlook for top finance majors. </p> <ul><li><b>Financial manager:</b> Employment for the financial manager is projected to grow much faster than average at 17%, with over 75,000 openings each year. </li><li><b>Personal financial advisor:</b> Students pursuing personal financial advisor roles can expect 17% job growth and 27,000 annual openings. </li><li><b>Financial analyst:</b> Earning a degree that leads to a financial analyst role is a good choice since this occupation is projected to grow much faster than average at 9% (30,700 openings each year). </li><li><b>Market research analyst:</b> The job outlook for market research analysts is promising. Jobs are projected to grow 8% (88,500 openings each year), which is faster than average for all occupations. </li><li><b>Project management specialist:</b> About 77,000 new openings are expected for this role, which represents faster than average job growth of 7%. </li></ul><h2 id="section---ExploreOnlineFinanceDegrees">Explore Online Finance Degrees</h2> <p>Start your journey toward a rewarding finance career by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools directly to learn how they can help you reach your goals.</p>