Finance is a very popular major across the country. This is ideal for students who aren’t afraid of hard work and grueling hours in their youth with the idea that it will pay in dividends in the years to come. While the epicenter of American finance is in NYC, the pandemic has allowed for more flexibility, opening job opportunities across the country.
UPenn: Wharton School of Business
No surprises here. UPenn’s Wharton School of Business tops the list at #1. Wharton is home to the Finance Department which offers a concentration for undergraduates. The concentration consists of a Corporate Finance course, in addition to elective requirements such as Capital Markets, International Banking, FinTech, Real Estate Investment and Financial Derivatives.
NYU: Stern School of Business
NYU’s Stern School of Business also offers a Finance concentration. The concentration requires foundational courses, in addition to an array of upper-level electives such as Scientific Computing in Finance, Global Macroeconomics and Financial Securities & Markets. NYU is not only a great place for financially-minded students because of its academics, but also because it’s in Wall Street’s backyard.
MIT: Sloan School of Management
Sloan offers both a major and minor in Finance. Major requirements include Managerial Finance, Accounting, and Microeconomics, in addition to electives such as Options & Future Markets. But the additional appeal of attending MIT is to be in one of the most impressive tech environments in the country. In a world in which FinTech and tech startups are dominating the business, it would prudent for students interested in Finance to immerse themselves in a technological landscape.
Babson College: Finance Division
Babson is all about Business. Their Finance Division is a great opportunity for students interested in Finance. They not only offer a host of Finance-specific classes, but also research opportunities for undergraduates. Electives include Fintech, Investments, Options & Futures, and Global Financial Management.
UC Berkeley: Haas School of Business
Berkeley’s prestigious Haas School offers a Business Administration major. While students will focus more broadly on Business, there are still abundant opportunities for a Finance-driven education. Courses include Financial Accounting, Intro to Finance, Data and Decisions, and more.
UVA: McIntire School of Commerce
University of Virginia’s McIntire School offers a Finance concentration inside of a two-year B.S. program. Coursework includes Accounting, Principles of Security Trading, Derivatives and Fixed Income, and more.
Michigan: Ross School of Business
Michigan has a fantastic Business School. While it doesn’t have a Finance-specific program or major, it’s still a great track for those interested in the financial world. Students interested in Finance and majoring in business can select courses including Microeconomics, Big Data and Finance, Corporate Financial Strategy, and a host of others. There are also relevant capstone opportunities.
UT Austin: McCombs School of Business
UT’s McCombs School of Business is an excellent choice for those interested in getting into Finance. There is a Finance major with various tracks, including Energy Finance, Law and Science, Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, General Finance, Quantitative Finance, and Real Estate.
Indiana University: Kelley School of Business
IU’s Kelley School of Business offers a Finance major. Courses include Management Decisions and Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting, Security Trading and Marketing Making, International Finance, and more.
UNC-Chapel Hill: Kenan-Flagler School
UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler School has a Business major with an area of emphasis option for Multinational Finance. This is ideal for students interested in Corporate Finance. Electives include Applied Private Equity, Investment Banking, Strategic Economics, and others.
Finance is a pragmatic major or area of study for anyone interested in, well, making money. While the pandemic has upended and changed markets, it still remains a consistent option for students who are business-minded. Most schools with strong Business programs will have some kind of Finance-related curriculum. But many schools, including the above-listed, also have unique Finance-specific tracks for undergrads who really know what they want after graduation.
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