Finance Major
What does a finance major do?
A finance major studies money management, including financial planning and investment strategies. Finance majors must understand how individuals and companies spend, save and make money. As a financial professional, you will be required to analyze situations and make tough decisions that might impact your clients or your organization.
What types of jobs do finance majors take after graduation?
There are a variety of career paths available to finance majors, including:
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Accountant
- Corporate Financial Management
- Loan Officer or Underwriter
- Money Manager or Financial Planner
- Investment Banker
- Bond Broker
- Portfolio Manager
What degrees do finance majors pursue?
Most finance majors first earn a Bachelor’s of Business Administration or Accounting, and may later decide to pursue a Master’s of Business Administration or a Master of Science in Finance.
Are there any required exams or certifications for finance majors?
Many careers in finance may recommend or require professional certification, including:
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)
- Chartered Market Technician (CMT)
How much does a finance program cost?
School costs vary widely, depending on the type of school you choose and what type of program you are pursing. You can find average school costs for public finance colleges and private finance colleges in our compare colleges section.
How do I pay for a finance program?
Whether you are paying for an undergraduate or graduate finance program, it’s important that you complete the FAFSA and review your financial aid options. You should start by trying to obtain college scholarships and college grants (free money) to pay for your Finance program. Then use federal student loans, such as the Federal Stafford Loan. If free money and federal loans are not enough to pay for your Finance program, you can begin to research private student loans to cover the remainder of your school costs.
What is the average salary for finance majors?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages for personal financial advisors in May 2008 were $69,050 and $73,150 for financial analysts1.
A finance major probably performs well in or enjoys the following subjects:
- Math (including Calculus)
- Basic Business courses
- Computer courses
A finance major generally possesses the following skill sets:
- Decision making skills
- Problem solving and analysis
- Computer skills