Finance Careers

Businesses in every sector need finance professionals who can effectively manage money. Finance degree programs help learners understand financial markets and trends. Professionals in the field use established principles and economic tools to help individuals and companies make wise financial decisions.

Graduates with a degree in finance can pursue careers as accountants, auditors, financial planners, and financial analyts. Business and finance professionals earn a median annual salary of $72,250, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Additionally, the BLS projects business and finance occupations to grow 5% from 2019-2029.

Most entry-level finance careers require a bachelor’s degree. However, students can pursue an associate degree in finance to gain foundational business knowledge. Finance degree-seekers can specialize in an area such as personal, public, or corporate finance. Learners gain valuable financial, analytical, and decision-making skills applicable to various careers and industries.

This guide provides information about finance careers, educational requirements, and certification options. The following sections also detail career and salary outlooks for individuals with a degree in finance.

A finance degree can lead to a variety of business careers. While finance and business majors study similar core principles, finance degree-seekers focus on analyzing data to help clients make the best financial decisions.

Finance majors can specialize in an area aligning with their interests and career goals. Specialization options vary by school but often include corporate finance and risk management. Students can increase marketability by choosing specializations such as financial and budget analytics. Both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in finance often include specialization options.

Graduates can demonstrate expertise and position themselves for career advancement by earning certifications in their specialization area. The following list highlights three popular specializations for finance degree-seekers.

Students can begin their education by exploring finance fundamentals during an associate degree program. However, most finance careers require a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s-level finance curricula require an in-depth study of finance concepts. Individuals can also pursue a master’s degree in the field to enhance their skills and further specialize in a niche area. The following section explores common coursework for various finance degrees.

Pursuing a degree in finance requires a significant investment. However, graduates often benefit from increased earning potential and more job prospects. The cost of earning a degree in finance depends on several factors, including program format. For example, online students often save money on housing and transportation.

The type of institution also impacts costs. Public schools typically feature lower tuition rates than private institutions, and most public schools offer discounts for in-state students. Institutions may also offer in-state tuition rates to all online degree-seekers, regardless of residency.

Many students save money by earning an associate degree at a community college before transferring to a bachelor’s program. Many two-year colleges maintain articulation agreements with four-year schools to ensure graduates can easily transfer credits.

Tuition rates vary significantly by institution. However, based on a sampling of affordable schools across the country, in-state associate degree-seekers typically pay $100-$208 per credit. In-state students pursuing a bachelor’s degree generally pay $111-$576 per credit. Learners attending out-of-state institutions often pay higher tuition rates.

A finance professional’s earning potential depends on factors including their position, employer, and level of education and experience. According to the BLS, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn a median salary of $42,410 per year. Individuals with some college education and no degree can qualify for these roles.

Students earning a bachelor’s degree in finance also gain the skills and training necessary to become financial analysts and finance managers. According to the BLS, financial analysts earn a median salary of $83,660 per year and financial managers earn a median annual salary of $134,180. A bachelor’s degree in finance can also qualify graduates for roles as accountants and auditors, who earn a median of $73,560 per year, according to the BLS.

Graduates of finance degree programs can also become budget analysts, actuaries, and securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents.

The BLS projects strong growth for finance careers. While a degree cannot guarantee a job in any field, the finance field provides strong employment prospects. For example, the BLS projects employment for accountants and financial analysts to increase 4% and 5%, respectively, from 2019-2029.

The BLS projects much higher job growth for some professions during the same time frame, such as the 18% projected growth for financial managers. The list below highlights three common careers for finance degree-holders.

Source: Bureau Labor of Statistics

Individuals pursuing finance careers can obtain certifications to demonstrate expertise in a designated area. Certifications often enhance employability and can lead to higher earning potential. Obtaining these voluntary credentials can also help professionals qualify for leadership roles. The following list highlights three certifications for finance professionals.