Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

The financial analysis field has many careers, including analysts, managers, controllers, risk specialists, and personal financial advisors.

Financial analysts

are perhaps the most common professionals in this sector. They use their skills to make recommendations in the financial markets to help businesses and individuals make profitable investments.

If you have excellent math, statistics, and economic skills, you should consider a career in this field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), financial analysts need to

have a bachelor’s degree

to work in entry-level positions. This article covers the best degrees in financial analysis, possible career outcomes, and salaries for multiple positions.

What Is Financial Analysis?

Financial analysis is the

application of various techniques

to evaluate data from businesses, budgets, and financial statements to determine performance and make recommendations. A finance degree is the best way to learn financial analysis.

What Is a Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree?

A financial analysis

bachelor’s degree

is a four-year undergraduate program offered by a business school or university. A financial analysis bachelor’s degree has a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)-based curriculum that covers topics and skills students need to start their careers in finance.

The topics usually covered in this undergraduate degree program include financial accounting, portfolio management, personal finance, risk management, credit management, real estate, and management of financial institutions. There are many on-campus and online programs designed to help you get a career in finance.

Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Prospective students need to have a high school diploma or equivalency to apply for a financial analysis bachelor’s degree program. Schools often require students to have a GPA ranging between 2.6 to 3.7 or higher to be accepted to the program. Specific entrance requirements differ between schools.

Financial analysis degree requirements for graduation also vary with each university. Students must complete between 60 and 90 credits depending on the university’s curriculum.

How Much Does a Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Cost?

The National Center for Education Statistics estimates the

average annual tuition cost

for a four-year degree program to be $9,349 for public institutions and $32,769 for private institutions. However, schools and colleges have varied tuition costs for finance programs.

Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Financial Analysis Degree

There are several ways to pay for your financial analysis bachelor’s degree. They include parental income, savings, scholarships, grants, federal direct loan programs, and loans such as income share agreements (ISAs). Be sure to consult with your university to determine the available financing options.

Best Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Financial Analysis: Top Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Programs

You should consider an in-person finance degree if you can commit to a five-day learning schedule. Below are some of the best colleges and universities for financial analysis bachelor’s degree programs.

Bachelor of Science in Financial Services | Indiana State University

A Bachelor of Science in Financial Services from Indiana State University will prepare you for several roles in the finance industry. This program will also help you prepare for professional certifications, including those issued by the CFA Institute, to help with career advancement opportunities.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Financial Analysis Option | California State University, Northridge

California State University issued over 130,000 degrees in the 2020-2021 academic year. Enrolling in this school’s finance program will prepare you for a multitude of careers in finance. You’ll learn about corporate finance, quantitative finance, income tax, financial accounting, and price theory.

Bachelor of Science in Financial Management | National University

The National University offers a curriculum that features theoretical and practical training to get you ready for your finance career. By the time you finish this finance degree, you’ll be able to apply quantitative analysis techniques to solve financial problems for your clients.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Risk Management | St Mary’s University

St Mary’s University has a finance department that trains students in finance and risk management. You’ll learn more about how financial institutions, investments, corporate risk management, and financial modeling work.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance | The University of Texas at Austin

This school’s finance degree curriculum is designed to provide you with tools that will allow you to handle a variety of business and finance functions in an organization. You’ll learn corporate finance, investment, management, and banking.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk, Insurance and Financial Services | University of North Texas

Enrolling in this degree program will give you an in-depth understanding of financial analysis, risk management, financial planning, and investments. With this degree, you can become a broker, risk analyst, financial analyst, risk manager, underwriter, or control specialist.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Masters in Financial Analysis | University of San Francisco School of Management

The University of San Francisco offers this five-year program which features four years of a bachelor’s degree program followed by a yearlong master’s degree program in financial analysis. This degree will also help you prepare for a professional certification like that offered by the CFA Institute.

Bachelor of Science in Finance | Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

You should consider this degree program if you want to work in sectors such as asset management, investment market, or financial markets. This course will teach you more about corporate finance, capital markets, banking, venture capital, and private equity.

Bachelor of Science in Business, Finance Major, Business Analytics Concentration | Wright State University

This degree teaches you the analytical skills you’ll need to launch a career in today’s global financial markets. This program is ideal for those looking to pursue professional certifications as it covers over 70 percent of the coursework covered by the CFA Institute.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance | Zicklin School of Business

Zicklin School of Business offers this in-person degree to help students hoping to get a job at investment banks, brokerage firms, savings banks, and insurance companies. Additionally, this school offers an internship program as part of the coursework.

Best Online Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Financial Analysis: Top Online Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Programs

If you can’t quit your full-time job you should consider an online degree. These programs have flexible learning schedules that will equip you with the skills necessary to launch a successful career in finance. The curricula are the same whether online or in-person and you can learn from anywhere. Below are some of the best online degrees in financial analysis.

Bachelor of Science in Finance | Colorado State University-Global Campus

Colorado State University Global offers a fully online finance degree. This includes preparation for the CFP certification entrance exam, which could help you find a higher-paying job. You’ll also learn more about the foundations of financial management, risks, financial strategies, and investments.

Bachelor of Science in Financial Management | Franklin University

Over 80 percent of Franklin University’s students are enrolled in an online degree program, including this financial management degree. After enrolling in this school’s financial management program, you’ll gain in-demand skills in areas like financial risk management, international finance, portfolio management, financial analysis, and forecasting.

Bachelor of Science in Financial Services | Maryville University

Maryville University offers a 100 percent online degree program that allows students to access coursework and other learning resources remotely. The curriculum covers a ton of related topics such as accounting, statistics, economics, security analysis, investment strategies, and banking. The coursework also includes practical case studies from financial planning projects.

Bachelor of Science in Finance | Missouri State Online

Missouri State University is a top university with over 26,000 students and 120,000 alumni worldwide. In addition to equipping you with in-demand skills to help you prepare for employment in the financial industry, this program also contributes towards major finance certifications such as CFA and CFP.

Bachelor of Science in Finance | Penn State World Campus

This is a 120-credit bachelor’s degree program that will deliver a solid foundation in finance-related concepts such as capital management, personal finance, and portfolio management. This program has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program which prepares students for the CFA exams.

Bachelor of Science in Finance | Purdue University

You should consider this program if you are interested in almost any career in the finance field. With the knowledge and skills you’ll get from this program, you can qualify for an accelerated MBA (master’s degree) program from Purdue.

Bachelor of Science in Finance or Financial Planning | Southern New Hampshire University

Analyzing data to inform financial planning and recommendations is a significant aspect of financial planning. You’ll learn how to explore economic environments, how to make the best financial decisions for your clients, and how to apply the correct legal practices to financial investments.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

When you complete this degree program, you’ll be ready to work as a security analyst, financial planner, or corporate investment manager. This university also offers students a chance to build relationships through online discussions and assignments.

Bachelor of Science in Finance | University of Maryland Global Campus

This degree program will help you develop the analytical skills needed to apply financial theories and techniques to real-world situations. It is also excellent for preparing for professional certifications such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA). It covers topics such as principles of accounting, financial analysis, business finance, financial institutions, and markets.

Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Management | Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University offers a degree program excellent for students who want to work in management positions in government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. After enrolling, you’ll learn from industry experts with real-world experience.

What’s the Average Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Salary?

According to Salary.com, the average entry-level financial analyst with a

bachelor’s degree earns $60,300

annually. However, professional certifications, graduate programs, and years of experience influence salary.

Top Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Jobs Explained

Hedge Fund Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $145,162
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  17%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  681,700**
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, District of Columbia**

A hedge fund analyst researches to identify investments that a hedge fund can make using money from investors. They also work under portfolio managers to determine the best investment strategies.

Financial Manager

Financial managers oversee a wide range of accounting and financial operations in an organization. These professionals also help in making strategic decisions concerning firms and their financial health. They also ensure companies adhere to tax and federal compliance.

Commercial Banker

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $91,099
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  1%***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  322,100***
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, Missouri, Georgia***

A commercial banker works in financial institutions like banks and lending corporations to serve clients. They pitch services offered by banks to potential clients. They also manage corporate accounts and facilitate loans and other banking services.

Personal Financial Advisor

This career is excellent for people looking to help others with their finances. Personal financial advisors provide the best financial strategies for deciding insurance, mortgages, investments, savings, taxes, debt, and retirement choices. They often work directly with individuals.

Portfolio Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $88,083
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  17%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  681,700**
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, District of Columbia**

Portfolio managers develop ideal investment strategies that yield favorable returns on investor funds and portfolios. They also manage risk and measure the performance of those investment funds and portfolios to recommend any changes needed.

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts help individuals and businesses make informed investment decisions by applying various financial techniques. They make recommendations after evaluating historic data and business trends. Entry-level financial analysts typically require a bachelor’s degree.

Accountant

Accountants prepare, examine, and interpret financial records. They have expert knowledge in accounting, tax, and finance practices. According to BLS, there are several types of accountants, including public, government, and management accountants.

Financial Auditors

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $73,560
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  7%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,392,200*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, District of Columbia, New York*

Financial auditors review a company’s financial records to ensure no crimes have been committed during the preparation or reporting of financial statements. Auditors have strong organizational and critical thinking skills.

Loan Officer

Loan officers obtain and analyze finance-related financial information to determine whether applicants qualify for loans. They also approve loans, and in some cases, consult with management to help them make informed decisions.

Stockbroker

Stockbrokers make financial transactions involving securities and other stocks for individuals or institutions. A stock broker’s typical day involves trading, researching, and networking. These professionals also work with several software programs when trading. You can put your interest in the stock market to good use by earning a

bachelor’s degree in finance

.

*Job outlook percentage is based on BLS data for Accountants and Auditors

**Job outlook percentage is based on BLS data Financial Managers





***Job outlook percentage is based on BLS data for Loan Officers

Benefits of a Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree

• 
  It’s easier to get a job with a bachelor’s degree
  
  . Higher-paying employers typically hire job seekers with bachelor’s degrees. You’ll be a better job candidate if you have a bachelor’s degree.
• 
  Financial analysis degrees can help you earn a certification
  
  . It is easier to pass professional certification exams after earning a bachelor’s degree as most content on the exams is already covered in your curriculum.
• 
  Gain in-demand financial skills
  
  . The best way to learn financial skills is through a bachelor’s degree. You’ll build the strong skills that most employers are looking for.
• 
  It’s easier to complete a master’s degree
  
  . Earning a master’s degree is easier after completing a bachelor’s degree. This is especially true if your school offers a bachelor’s program with an extra one-year option to get a master’s degree.
• 
  You’ll gain a competitive edge
  
  . Competition for limited positions often comes down to a few factors, one of them being education. A bachelor’s degree will give you a competitive edge against other contenders in the same job market.

Should You Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Analysis?

Yes, you should get a degree in financial analysis if you want to start your career in the finance industry. The job outlook is fairly promising and many positions in this field come with high salaries. However, you should know that this degree option is best suited for students with strong math, economics, statistics, and analysis skills.

Financial Analysis Bachelor’s Degree FAQ