Pro Tip
Ensure your program prepares you for certification if you plan to sit for the CFP, CFA or CTP exam.
Consider Your Future Goals
Earning a degree opens the door to a wide range of finance careers and education possibilities. This program can kickstart your career in investment banking, financial analysis, corporate finance or commercial banking, among other fields. You can also continue your studies and pursue an M.B.A. in finance or a doctoral degree.
Consider whether you plan to focus on one area of finance throughout your career. For example, if you’re interested in financial planning, wealth management, or trust and estate planning, try to find a program that offers concentrations, minors or electives in those subjects.
If you aspire to become a certified accountant, certified treasury planner or certified financial planner, you’ll need to pass licensure exams. Check with your prospective institution to find out if its finance program ensures student eligibility for these exams.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Programs listed in this article charge about $42 to $441 per credit. With a few exceptions, most programs required 120 credits, totaling roughly $5,000 to $53,000.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average four-year undergraduate degree program costs $17,709 per year, or about $70,840 in total. The programs on this list are considerably less expensive.
Still, earning a degree isn’t cheap. You can finance your education through a few avenues, including:
- Scholarships awarded through individuals or institutions based on merit or need
- Grants provided by state and local governments to individuals with demonstrated financial need
- Fellowships, which fund research based on merit
- Loans provided by private or public lenders (either financial institutions or the federal government), which accrue interest over time
