Bachelor’s Degree in Finance Program Guide

A bachelor’s degree in finance can equip you with skills in financial analysis, risk management, and investment strategies — all of which can help you land well-paying, in-demand roles, such as financial analyst, financial advisor, budget analyst, or investment banker.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), bachelor’s in finance graduates of the class of 2023 had a mean starting salary of $72,227 — and about 72% were employed full time. For comparison, the overall class of 2023 graduates had a mean starting salary of $63,721, and just 54% had full-time employment.

If you’re ready to start your career in finance and see what opportunities await you, check out our guide to bachelor’s degrees in finance.

A bachelor’s in finance is an undergraduate degree that prepares students to manage money, investments, and financial systems. Like most other bachelor’s programs, this degree typically takes four years to complete, requiring 120 credits.

During your bachelor’s program, you will likely take classes on investments, portfolio management, corporate finance, financial analysis, and business law. Which electives you take can also help you develop a specialty within the field. Some popular finance specialties include wealth management, corporate finance, financial planning, real estate, and investment banking.

This degree may appeal to students who enjoy working with numbers and want to build a career in a field with steady demand and strong earning potential.

A finance degree can open the door to careers in banking, investing, financial planning, and corporate finance. You’ll find opportunities to work with individuals, businesses, or government agencies to help manage their finances.

In a finance career, there are three main areas you can work in: personal, corporate, and government finance. Personal finance focuses on individuals’ savings and investments, corporate finance involves managing a company’s financial resources, and government or public finance deals with managing a government’s revenues, expenditures, and debts.

Some of the roles you can pursue within these areas include budget analyst, compliance officer, manufacturing cost estimator, financial analyst, or fundraiser. In these roles, you’ll be responsible for managing or investing money, analyzing financial data, creating financial reports, and providing advice on financial matters and potential risks.

With a finance degree, you can qualify for roles with a median annual salary between $78,000 and $102,000, according to 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, keep in mind that your salary will depend on factors such as experience, employer, and location. The figures below reflect the median pay in various roles, not just entry-level positions.

Most finance jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, but pursuing a master’s degree can provide an advantage for more advanced or competitive roles.

Some professionals choose to pursue a master’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration to deepen their knowledge or to specialize in a specific finance area. A master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with a finance specialization is another option, offering valuable coursework that can help improve your career prospects in the field.

In addition to advanced degrees, some finance jobs either require or benefit from professional certifications, such as:

The average cost for an online bachelor’s in business — which includes finance degrees — is $13,228, or $7,158 with financial aid. In comparison, in-person programs usually cost around $19,693, or $11,158 with financial aid.

The cost of a bachelor’s degree in finance can vary depending on the school you attend and whether the program is in-person or online. However, keep in mind that students enrolled in their state of residence tend to pay less than those who attend school out of state. Additionally, online programs often charge a flat rate for in-state and out-of-state students.

For example, tuition for a one year in the online bachelor’s in finance program at Western Governors University is $7,910. On the other hand, the in-person program’s tuition at Western Washington University ranges from $8,523 per year for Washington residents to $27,290 per year for out-of-state students for the 2025-2026 school year.

When considering which finance program to attend, take into account its cost, length, and accreditation status.

Most bachelor’s degrees in finance take four years — or 120 credits — to complete.

You can save time and money by transferring earned college credits, taking summer courses, or enrolling in an accelerated online program. You can also consider enrolling in an accelerated online finance degree. Accelerated finance programs often offer shorter terms and let you take more courses at once, which allows you to go through the curriculum faster. This can save you thousands in tuition costs.

To apply for a bachelor’s in finance program, you will likely need to submit the following:

You can find more information about how to apply for the program you’re interested in on the college’s or university’s admissions website.

When comparing finance degree programs, these are the factors you should consider:

Program cost is an important factor to consider. The BestColleges 2024 Online Education Trends Report found that 26% of online business students and graduates surveyed wished they had done more research about cost and financial aid before enrolling in an online program. Additionally, 22% said paying for higher education while minimizing student debt was their most significant challenge while completing their online program.

Tuition rates can vary drastically depending on whether you’re attending online or in person — whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student. For example, one year of tuition for the bachelor’s in finance program at the University of North Dakota costs over $12,000 for in-state students and over $17,000 for out-of-state students.

When deciding whether to apply or not to a college or university, it’s important to check if your desired school is accredited. When a school has accreditation, it means an independent, third-party organization has evaluated the overall quality of a program or institution.

There are two types of accreditation you can look for: programmatic and institutional. Programmatic accreditation refers to the assessment of a specific degree program, while institutional accreditation applies to the entire school.

You can typically find a school’s accreditation information on its website. You can also look for the school’s name in the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs from the U.S. Department of Education.

The length of a program can depend on several factors, including how many credits you transfer from another institution, the program format, specific requirements, and whether it’s an accelerated program or not.

Most bachelor’s programs require around 120 credit hours to graduate. This usually takes about four years to complete. Schools typically provide an estimated timeline or average completion time to help students plan their path to a degree.

Knowing the credit requirements and expected completion time can help you choose a program that fits your schedule, financial situation, and academic goals.

Finance degrees usually cover topics like investments, portfolio management, corporate finance, financial analysis, and business law.

Additionally, some programs also offer specializations or concentrations, such as real estate, international finance, risk management, or investment management.

Which courses and electives you take can shape your area of expertise and help you build a foundation for roles in specific finance sectors.

Finance degree programs are available in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, in-person programs typically require commuting and following a set class schedule, while online programs may offer more flexibility through asynchronous coursework or self-paced learning.