by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, finance was the 11th most popular major nationwide with 51,779 degrees awarded. This represents a 1.2% reduction in finance degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 52,394.
This year's Best Finance Schools ranking compares 613 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of finance programs later in this article.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to finance. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and talking to others to convey information effectively.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional finance certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of finance degrees. Finance programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest finance degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common finance degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to finance, with approximately 45.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to finance tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 42.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 16.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 9.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 7.1% |
| High School Diploma | 6.7% |
About 81.9% of workers in careers related to finance obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in finance have received.
The education level required is different depending on the finance career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your finance degree? Finance careers are expected to grow 10.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to finance.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Financial Managers | 689,000 | 18.7% |
| Loan Officers | 354,900 | 11.4% |
| Financial Analysts | 328,200 | 10.8% |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 312,300 | 14.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for finance graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for finance graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers finance grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $200,140 |
| Financial Managers | $146,830 |
| General and Operations Managers | $123,880 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $121,770 |
| Business Professors | $103,330 |
With over 1,436 different finance degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased finance school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Finance that might interest you.
Prepare to advance your current career in finance with Southern New Hampshire University's online Master's in Finance degree program.
Managing and quantifying money is at the heart of the online bachelor's degree in finance at SNHU. You'll learn the fundamentals of investments, address key managerial issues, examine ethics from every angle and build the skillset to be a player in the multidimensional business marketplace.
One of 8 majors within the Finance & Financial Management area of study, Finance has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Financial Planning & Services | 4,087 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 1,022 |
| Other Finance and Financial Management Services | 362 |
| Investments and Securities | 346 |
| International Finance | 123 |
Image Credit: By Dave Dugdale under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
