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2025 Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

105 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
9,998 Finance Degrees Awarded
$59,187 Avg Early-Career Salary
Finance & Financial Management is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #14 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 105 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for finance & financial management students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 9,998 degrees in finance & financial management annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Finance & Financial Management School

Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region The finance program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Finance & Financial Management rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for finance & financial management schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Finance & Financial Management Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Finance
Bachelor's Degrees in Finance
Master's Degrees in Finance
Doctor's Degrees in Finance

The finance school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Finance & Financial Management in the Great Lakes Region

The schools below may not offer all types of finance degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Finance

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In IL
351 Finance Degrees Awarded

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in finance & financial management. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 351 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Northwestern University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
306 Finance Degrees Awarded
1.6% Growth in Graduates

University of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in finance & financial management. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were approximately 306 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from University of Notre Dame earn $39,985 more than the typical finance graduate.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Notre Dame

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Finance Program Name

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.

More information about a degree in BS in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
491 Finance Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat University of Wisconsin - Madison if you wish to pursue a degree in finance & financial management. UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 491 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management program at University of Wisconsin - Madison earn $9,494 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Wisconsin - Madison

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
301 Finance Degrees Awarded
4.7% Growth in Graduates

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in finance & financial management. UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #41 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 301 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn a boost of approximately $16,194 over the typical income of finance & financial management majors.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
364 Finance Degrees Awarded
5.8% Growth in Graduates

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 364 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from Michigan State University receive $8,916 more than the typical finance graduate.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Michigan State University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
813 Finance Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #70 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were about 813 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from Ohio State University - Main Campus earn $5,994 more than the typical finance grad.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Ohio State University - Main Campus

7
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
247 Finance Degrees Awarded
4.9% Growth in Graduates

DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #135 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means DePaul is a great university overall.

There were about 247 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from DePaul University get an earnings boost of approximately $7,676 over the average earnings of finance & financial management majors.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from DePaul University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MBA in Finance Program Name

Earn the finance MBA that can fit both your goals and your budget.

More information about a degree in MBA in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
348 Finance Degrees Awarded
1.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #134 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Miami University - Oxford is a great university overall.

There were roughly 348 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from Miami University - Oxford receive $12,016 more than the typical finance graduate.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Miami University - Oxford

9
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
175 Finance Degrees Awarded
$67,888 Median Starting Salary

Marquette is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Milwaukee. A Best Colleges rank of #114 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were about 175 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Marquette University get an earnings boost of approximately $8,701 above the average income of finance & financial management graduates.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Marquette University

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
221 Finance Degrees Awarded
$59,938 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #65 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were about 221 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, finance degree recipients typically make an average of $59,938 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Purdue University - Main Campus

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
156 Finance Degrees Awarded
$59,305 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 156 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients usually make about $59,305 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Ohio University - Athens Campus

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MS in Finance Program Name

Prepare to advance your current career in finance with Southern New Hampshire University's online Master's in Finance degree program.

More information about a degree in MS in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
187 Finance Degrees Awarded
0.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, UDayton is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 187 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UDayton in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management degree program at University of Dayton make $5,184 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Dayton

13
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In WI
18.8% Growth in Graduates

Madison College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Madison. This college ranks 5th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 16 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Madison Area Technical College

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
146 Finance Degrees Awarded
11.6% Growth in Graduates

Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #100 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 146 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent data year. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from Loyola University Chicago earn $7,732 more than the average finance graduate.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Loyola University Chicago

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Finance Degrees Awarded
7.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Whitewater, UW - Whitewater is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 200 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Whitewater in the most recent data year. After graduating, finance degree recipients typically make around $55,874 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Accounting & Finance Program Name

Invest in the analytical and quantitative skills you need to succeed in a career in finance with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Accounting & Finance from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Finance Degrees Awarded
$74,143 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Case Western is a great university overall.

There were approximately 200 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent year we have data available. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from Case Western Reserve University make $14,957 more than the typical finance student.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Case Western Reserve University

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
292 Finance Degrees Awarded
3.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 292 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the finance program make around $59,067 for their early career.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

18
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
103 Finance Degrees Awarded
45.6% Growth in Graduates

John Carroll is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of University Heights. This university ranks 20th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 103 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at John Carroll in the most recent data year. After graduation, finance degree recipients usually make around $55,590 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from John Carroll University

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
161 Finance Degrees Awarded
$54,958 Median Starting Salary

Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal. This university ranks 8th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 161 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the finance program earn about $54,958 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Illinois State University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Business Administration - Finance Program Name

Increase your potential in nearly any industrial, financial, nonprofit or government organization with this online business administration bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Business Administration - Finance from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
274 Finance Degrees Awarded
4.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 274 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, finance degree recipients usually make an average of $55,591 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Illinois at Chicago

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 Finance Degrees Awarded
14.4% Growth in Graduates

WMU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Kalamazoo. This university ranks 4th out of 56 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 194 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, finance degree recipients usually earn around $50,787 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Western Michigan University

Rest of the Top Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
22 Augustana College Rock Island, IL
23 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
24 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
25 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
26 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
27 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
28 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI
29 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
30 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
31 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
32 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
33 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
34 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
35 Butler University Indianapolis, IN

Best Finance & Financial Management Colleges by State

Explore the best finance & financial management colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 1,688
Ohio 314 3,170
Illinois 304 1,841
Indiana 294 1,177
Wisconsin 273 1,561

View All Rankings >

One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Finance & Financial Management has other similar majors worth exploring.

Finance Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Finance 9,545
Financial Planning & Services 273
Banking and Financial Support Services 72
International Finance 68
Other Finance and Financial Management Services 39
Investments and Securities 1

View All Finance Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 49,608
Accounting 14,167
Marketing 9,993
General Business/Commerce 9,703
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 8,318
Business Support & Assistant Services 6,236
Human Resource Management 5,033
Entrepreneurial Studies 2,003
Management Information Systems 1,758
Hospitality Management 1,754

View All Finance Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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