Finding the Best Undergraduate Finance Degrees

Choosing the right university for a Bachelor's or Master's in Finance is a pivotal decision that demands careful consideration. A successful career in the financial sector hinges on a robust skillset encompassing accounting knowledge, analytical abilities, attention to detail, and business acumen. This article aims to provide insights into top US universities for finance degrees, drawing from various rankings and student reviews.

Top Universities for Finance in the U.S.

Several ranking systems evaluate universities based on various factors. One such ranking is the QS World University Rankings. Nearly 400 universities have been included in this year’s ranking of the top universities for studying accounting & finance. These rankings consider factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, and internationalization. Let's explore some of the best finance schools in the U.S., keeping in mind that these rankings are dynamic and can vary across different ranking systems.

1. Northwestern University

Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois, is a highly regarded private not-for-profit university. It holds a Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide, indicating its overall excellence. Approximately 351 finance & financial management students graduated from Northwestern in the most recent data year.

2. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

Located in Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. UPenn holds a Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 schools nationwide. Approximately 657 finance & financial management students graduated from UPenn in the most recent data year.

3. Boston College

Boston College, situated in Chestnut Hill, is a large private not-for-profit college. It holds a Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide. Approximately 388 finance & financial management students graduated with a degree in finance & financial management from Boston College in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management degree program at Boston College earn $27,401 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

4. University of Notre Dame

Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. The University holds a Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 schools nationwide. Approximately 306 finance & financial management students graduated from Notre Dame in the most recent year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from University of Notre Dame earn a boost of about $39,985 over the typical income of finance & financial management majors.

5. Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL)

Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall. There were approximately 349 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Washington University in St Louis receive an earnings boost of around $43,627 over the typical earnings of finance & financial management majors.

6. Georgetown University

Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Georgetown holds a Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide. Approximately 356 finance & financial management students graduated from Georgetown in the most recent data year. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from Georgetown University make $48,777 more than the typical finance grad.

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison (UW - Madison)

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall. There were roughly 491 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

8. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. UIUC holds a Best Colleges rank of #41 out of 2,152 schools nationwide. Approximately 301 finance & financial management students graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management degree program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn $16,194 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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9. Lehigh University

Located in the small city of Bethlehem, Lehigh is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania. There were about 208 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management major at Lehigh University earn $17,533 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

10. Villanova University

Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Villanova holds a Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,152 schools nationwide. Approximately 231 finance & financial management students graduated from Villanova in the most recent year.

Other Notable Institutions

Besides the top 10, several other universities offer strong finance programs:

Southern Methodist University (SMU): Located in the suburb of Dallas. Approximately 290 finance & financial management students graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management degree program at Southern Methodist University make $50,883 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
University of Maryland - College Park (UMCP): Located in the suburb of College Park. Approximately 423 finance & financial management students graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management program at University of Maryland - College Park get $16,404 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin): Located in the city of Austin. There were about 411 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin receive an earnings boost of approximately $22,657 above the typical earnings of finance & financial management graduates.
Tulane University: Located in the city of New Orleans. There were roughly 316 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent year we have data available.
Fairfield University: Located in the large suburb of Fairfield. There were about 183 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Fairfield U in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management degree program at Fairfield University earn $3,765 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
Michigan State University: Located in the city of East Lansing. There were about 364 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Michigan State University earn a boost of around $8,916 over the typical earnings of finance & financial management majors.
Ohio State University: Located in the large city of Columbus. There were roughly 813 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus earn a boost of approximately $5,994 above the typical income of finance & financial management graduates.
Fordham University: Located in the large city of Bronx. There were roughly 234 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent year.
University of Washington - Seattle Campus (UW Seattle): Located in the large city of Seattle. There were approximately 295 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management degree program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make $4,313 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
Santa Clara University (SCU): Located in the medium-sized city of Santa Clara. There were roughly 160 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Santa Clara University get an earnings boost of around $20,742 over the typical earnings.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Finance Program

When evaluating finance programs, consider the following factors:

Rankings: While rankings provide a general overview, it's essential to look at the methodology and consider multiple rankings.
Faculty: Research the faculty's expertise and experience in the finance industry.
Curriculum: Ensure the curriculum covers essential finance topics such as financial modeling, investment analysis, corporate finance, and risk management.
Internship Opportunities: Look for programs that offer strong internship opportunities with reputable financial institutions.
Career Services: Assess the career services offered by the university, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job placement assistance.
Location: Consider the location of the university and its proximity to financial centers.
Student Reviews: Seek feedback from current students and alumni about their experiences in the program.
Engagement with QS: A new label recognizes universities that actively engage with QS by submitting data for their rankings.

Student Perspectives

Gaining insights from current students and alumni can provide valuable perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of a finance program. For instance:

Harvard University: Students praise the qualified and helpful professors, welcoming and inspiring peers, and excellent campus groups.
Columbia University: The university is lauded for its exceptional faculty and resources, its location in NYC, and its global perspective.
University of Michigan: Students appreciate the sense of community and belonging.
New York University: The university offers an unparalleled global education in an exciting, cosmopolitan city with a diverse student body.

Popular Majors

It’s also helpful to consider which majors are most popular at different universities, as this can provide insight into the strengths of the institution. For example:

Bentley University: Finance, Marketing/Marketing Management, and Business Administration and Management are popular majors.
Bucknell University: Economics is the school’s most popular major.
Drexel University: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering are popular.
Bridgewater State University: Psychology is the school’s most popular major.
Hiram College: Accounting and Finance, Psychology, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are popular.
Fordham University: Finance, Business Administration and Management, and Psychology are popular.
Clarkson University: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Chemical Engineering are popular.
Maryville College: Business Administration and Management, Health and Wellness, and Psychology are popular.
Tabor College: Business Administration and Management, Psychology, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science are popular.
University of Miami: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Finance, and Psychology are popular.
Elmira College: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the institution’s most popular major.
Northwest University: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the school’s most popular major.
Suffolk University: Marketing/Marketing Management is the school’s most popular major.
Ohio Christian University: Business Administration and Management is the institution’s most popular major.
Ferris State University: Business Administration and Management is the institution’s most popular major.
Cleary University: Business Administration and Management is the school’s most popular major.

Online Finance Degrees

For students seeking flexibility, online finance degrees offer a convenient alternative. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a prominent provider of online finance programs, including:

BS in Finance
MBA in Finance
MS in Finance
BS in Accounting & Finance
BS in Business Administration - Finance
MS in Finance - Corporate Finance
MS in Finance - Investments & Securities
BS in Finance - Financial Planning
BS in Business Administration

These programs cover a range of topics, including investments, managerial issues, and ethics, preparing students for the multidimensional business marketplace.

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