Best Colleges for Finance
Whether you loved the movie The Wolf of Wall Street, want to help companies make smart decisions about their money, or are simply a Capricorn — there are lots of reasons why someone would want to pursue a career in finance. If you want to work in finance, then studying at one of the best colleges for finance is a smart investment.
A degree from one of the best finance schools can jumpstart your career upon graduation. But it’s important to choose the right college. In finance, your school’s reputation, connections, and resources may matter more than in other industries. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the best colleges for finance.
Specifically, we’ll cover:
- The best colleges for finance: the best finance schools in the U.S., and even the best finance schools in the world
- What is finance, and how it differs from similar majors like business and accounting
- What you can do with a finance degree
- How to choose the best finance schools for you
- Graduate finance degrees, and more!
But first, let’s answer the basic question: what is finance, really?
What is finance?
Finance is a broad category: at its core, it’s how money moves through the world. The field of finance focuses on how money is managed, allocated, and used by different individuals, companies, and financial institutions. Indeed, money makes the world go round, and finance powers how it moves. Therefore, a career in finance has no one set path. You might work in a bank, but you could also work in tech, at a nonprofit, or in government.
You can think of finance as the decision-making side of money. When a company wants to grow (and what company doesn’t?!), strategies are put in place by finance professionals. But, finance also happens on an individual level: saving for retirement, investing, and getting a mortgage are all finance decisions. People often hire skilled advisors to help them make those choices.
At the best colleges for finance, you’ll likely study these broad areas of the industry:
- Corporate Finance: This is how companies plan, budget, and make financial decisions.
- Investments and Financial Markets: These areas look at how markets function and how investment decisions are made.
- Financial Services: This area includes banking, lending, financial advising, and wealth management.
While studying a finance degree at the best colleges for finance, you’ll learn through hands-on, real-world examples. For example, if you were in charge of a new startup, how would you decide whether to invest $5 million into your new app or whether to expand your existing product into international markets? Or if you were advising a teacher on how to save for retirement, how would you advise her to invest her money — in stocks, bonds, or index funds? At the best colleges for finance, you’ll learn how to navigate these and many other situations.
What classes do finance majors take?
At the best colleges for finance, you’ll take a variety of courses. Finance majors are usually pretty structured, and will start with core finance courses. Similar to other majors, as you gain more experience, you’ll choose more specific courses.
Most of the best colleges for finance require core classes like Principles of Finance, Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Investment Management. These courses teach important skills such as how to read and understand financial statements, how to build and manage investment portfolios, and give you a basic understanding of financial principles.
However, before you even get to these finance-specific classes, you’ll likely have to take foundational courses like Statistics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Calculus. Knowing basic mathematical and economic concepts is important for understanding how money works.
What separates the best finance schools and the best colleges for finance from the pack is what electives and advanced courses they offer. Courses like Financial Modeling, Risk Management, or International Finance may be more tailored to your career goals. Therefore, when looking at the best colleges for finance, make sure you examine the course guide to see whether the school has a focus in your areas of interest.
At the best colleges for finance, you’ll also get a combination of rigorous coursework and hands-on experience. Many programs incorporate case studies from real companies, stock market simulations, client-facing projects with actual organizations, and internship requirements that give you professional experience before graduation. By the time you graduate from the best colleges for finance, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Finance vs. Business vs. Accounting
Often, you’ll hear finance thrown around as a synonym for majors like business, accounting, or even economics. But all of these fields are slightly different, and they prepare you for different careers.
Finance majors at the best colleges for finance will learn about money management, investments, and financial decision-making. Your focus will be on analyzing financial information so that you can make strategic choices about how money should be spent. Finance majors often go on to careers as investment bankers, financial analysts, or wealth advisors.
Business majors get a broader business-focused education that may include classes in marketing, operations, and strategy alongside finance. Business is the jack-of-all-trades option — and the best colleges for finance are also likely to have great business majors.
Accounting majors focus on financial reporting and auditing. They’re the record-keepers and verifiers of the business world. If you love numbers and doing detailed work, accounting is a steady and lucrative career path.
There’s likely to be some overlap between the best colleges for business and finance, and the best colleges for accounting and finance. When choosing your schools, make sure to look at each program’s course offerings. Always check how much finance-specific education it actually offers, even if the school looks like it’s one of the best colleges for business and finance in general.
What are the best colleges for finance?
So now we’ve reached the central point of our guide: what are the best colleges for finance, where you can learn how to master markets and invest with confidence?
The best finance schools aren’t just based on prestige or rankings — though those do matter in a field where a lot of recruiting happens during college, and is influenced by your school reputation.
Other things you can look for to determine the best colleges for finance are the strength of their curriculum, faculty expertise, alumni outcomes, internship opportunities, and career placement. When looking at the school’s faculty and alumni consider: what have they achieved? Are they celebrated in their fields? Were they successful before or during teaching? A school’s networking opportunity is a big factor in the best colleges for finance.
Notably, the best colleges for finance for undergraduates may not be the same as graduates. A school might have a really great MBA, or business graduate degree, but put less emphasis on their undergrad offerings.
Above all, the best finance schools will have a combination of stellar educational offerings, as well as significant career and networking resources.
Top 12 Best Colleges for Finance
Now, without further ado, here’s a list (courtesy of U.S. News) of the 12 best colleges for finance:
12 Best Colleges for Finance
University of Pennsylvania
Home to the legendary Wharton School, this Ivy League university consistently tops the charts of the best colleges for finance. In fact, it’s one of the best finance schools in the U.S. and the best finance schools in the world. UPenn offers concentrations in global finance, capital markets and banking, private equity and venture capital, quantitative finance, and more. If you go to Wharton, you can also graduate with a Bachelors of Science, rather than a Bachelors of Arts.
New York University
Wall Street is the beating heart of finance, so why not go to one of the best colleges for finance that’s right next door? Stern, NYU’s finance school, puts you just a quick subway ride away from the heart of the global financial market. You can specialize in corporate finance or capital markets, and take advantage of Stern’s other business offerings to gain experience in asset pricing, corporate finance, or real estate.
University of Michigan
Ross, the business school at UMich, offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Though it’s one of the best colleges for finance, it actually doesn’t offer a finance major. Instead, you’ll earn a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and can concentrate in different finance tracks, like investment banking, portfolio management, and real estate.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Many of the best colleges for finance are also some of the best finance schools in the world, as well as the best colleges in the world–MIT is one of those colleges. At MIT Sloan, students can leverage MIT’s strengths in technology and data science. Graduates will be prepared for careers in quantitative finance, fintech, venture capital, and corporate strategy at tech companies.
University of Texas – Austin
At McCombs, UT Austin’s business school, you’ll earn a BBA and can major in finance. Just as NYU takes advantage of its proximity to Wall Street, UT Austin makes the most of its location. Because Texas is home to significant oil and gas production, this is one of the best colleges for finance for students who want to work with energy companies.
Boston College
Next on our list of best colleges for finance is Boston College–more specifically, the Carroll School of Management, and the Seidner Department of Finance. Unlike some of the other best colleges for finance, BC is a smaller school, with more intimate class sizes, and close faculty mentorship opportunities. The school’s location in the Boston area provides easy access to asset management firms, financial services companies, and corporate finance opportunities.
University of California, Berkeley
At Haas, UC Berkeley’s business school, location also matters. Indeed, it’s one of the best schools for finance if you want to focus on entrepreneurial finance, like venture capital and the tech industry. The school’s culture emphasizes innovation and social impact. As such, more students end up pursuing fintech startups or venture capital than traditional Wall Street or banking paths.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Next on our list of best schools for finance is Kenan-Flagler, UNC Chapel Hill’s business school. At Kenan-Flagler, students can pursue investment management, finance, and multinational finance. Students will also gain real-world experience, like the chance to serve on a student consulting team and present solutions to a client’s business problem.
Indiana University – Bloomington
Number nine on our list of best finance schools is Indiana University Bloomington’s business school, Kelley. The finance major includes four main areas of study: corporate finance, investments, banking, and international finance. Students also have the chance to participate in the Investment Banking Workshop, an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and a leg up when it comes to their careers.
Carnegie Mellon University
At Tepper, the business school at Carnegie Mellon, you’ll have the opportunity to combine a world-class quantitative and technological education with one of the best finance schools in the country. The finance concentration (within the business major) allows you to incorporate computational finance, financial engineering, and data analytics. This makes graduates particularly attractive to places like hedge funds and fintech companies.
Cornell University
Next on our list of best finance schools is Cornell — or more specifically Dyson, the school of Applied Economics and Management. Here, you can concentrate in finance as part of a larger business administration degree, with a focus on real-world impacts. As an Ivy League school, Cornell students also get great access to recruiting and networking opportunities as well as prestige and name recognition.
Best Finance Schools in Florida
Now that we’ve looked at the best finance schools all over the country, let’s move to the sunshine state. Here are some of the best finance schools in Florida:
3 Best Finance Schools in Florida
University of Florida
First on the list of best finance schools in Florida is Warrington College at the University of Florida. It offers a number of finance concentrations, like corporate finance, investments, and financial planning. Students also get the opportunity to take part in investment funds and CFP certification courses, gaining a head start on their professional careers. And, if you’re an in-state student, this is an affordable and high-value choice.
Florida State University
At FSU, students can take advantage of strong programs in financial planning and real estate. Plus, because Tallahassee is the capital of Florida, finance students who want to work in government can pursue internships in the state house.
University of Miami
The University of Miami’s Herbert Business School sits in a major international banking and wealth management hub, allowing plenty of opportunity for internships and real-world experience. Additionally, finance students can gain experience in cross-border transitions and international finance, especially Latin American finance.
Best Finance Schools in Texas
Now, let’s check out some of the best finance schools in Texas.
3 Top Finance Schools in Texas
Rice University
Of the best schools for finance in Texas, located outside of UT Austin, Rice is a top choice for students. Though Rice doesn’t have a finance major, its business major and finance concentration provide sufficient finance education. Additionally, Rice offers connections to the oil and gas industry and a strong alumni network.
Texas A&M University
The next of our best finance schools in Texas is the Mays Business School at Texas A&M. Mays offers finance concentrations in corporate finance, investment management, and energy finance, with great value for in-state students. Mays also offers a number of opportunities for advanced students, like Aggies on Wall Street, the Corporate Finance Program, and Trading, Risk, and Investments Program.
Southern Methodist University
The finance major at SMU’s Cox School of Business combines rigorous coursework with hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, and asset management. Through experiences like the Practicum in Portfolio Management and classes in Alternative Asset Management, students build practical skills alongside a strong foundation in the SMU and business core curriculum.
Best Finance Schools in California
The best schools for finance in California aren’t limited to just U.C. Berkeley. Here’s a list of three more of the best finance schools in California.
3 Top Finance Schools in California
University of Southern California
If you want to work in the film industry, USC may be one of the best finance schools in California for you. Located in LA, the USC Marshall School of Business offers unique opportunities in entertainment finance, alongside traditional corporate finance and capital markets specializations.
University of San Francisco
If you’re more into entrepreneurship than entertainment, the University of San Francisco is one of the best schools for finance for you. Since this is a Jesuit university, there’s also a focus on using finance for good. So if you’re concerned about the role money plays in the world’s ills, this could be an opportunity to use finance to make a positive impact.
Loyola Marymount University
At Loyola Marymount, next on our best schools for finance list, students will learn that finance is “the lifeline of business.” Studies here will focus on financial concepts like mergers and acquisitions, domestic and global investments, financial policy, and real estate.
Top Graduate Programs in Finance
Often, when you look up the best schools for finance, you’re going to wind up with graduate schools, as opposed to a list of best undergraduate business schools. That’s because pursuing a graduate degree in finance, especially at one of the best schools for finance, can provide access to more specialized and higher-level roles. If your dream is to be a CEO or founder, an MBA may be in your future.
Graduate programs at the best schools for finance allow for deeper and more detailed understanding in specialized areas than an undergraduate degree would. As a finance graduate student, you’ll select a specialization, like financial engineering, risk management, or corporate finance. Your studies will include more sophisticated financial modeling or conducting your own research.
You should note that the best undergraduate business schools aren’t always the best graduate business schools, but there is some overlap. These business schools are some of the best finance schools in the U.S., and some of the best finance schools in the world: Wharton, Chicago Booth, NYU Stern, Columbia, MIT Sloan, and Stanford. You may recognize some of these from our previous list of best schools for finance — that’s because some of these universities offer both graduate and undergraduate opportunities to study finance.
However, some schools, like Chicago Booth and Stanford, are renowned for their graduate programs. Chicago Booth focuses on a rigorous, economics-focused approach, with an emphasis on trading. Stanford’s business school, like its college, capitalizes on its connections to Silicon Valley and entrepreneurial opportunities. At somewhere like Stanford, you can study fintech and financial innovation.
Benefits of Attending the Best Finance Schools
So if you’re interested in finance, why should you attend one of the best schools for finance — or one of the best finance schools in the U.S. or one of the best finance schools in the world?
Name recognition
In the business world, especially if you want loftier positions with higher starting salaries, your school’s reputation does matter. Attending a well-regarded business school can set you up for career success from the very beginning. Indeed, graduates from top finance programs may see higher starting salaries, and can also experience faster promotion timelines. Your alumni network can help you find better jobs, and advance more quickly throughout the ranks.
Elite internships
And if you’re at one of the best finance schools in the U.S. or one of the best finance schools in the world, you’ll have access to internships during college that will set you up for postgrad success. It’s not fair, but it’s true: Many elite companies will recruit from Ivy League schools or schools with impressive business programs. This means that your school could open serious doors for you before you’ve even graduated.
Specialized coursework and tools
Additionally, the best schools for business will feature more advanced and specialized programming, pushing you to build advanced analytical skills through more challenging coursework. Top programs also emphasize leadership skills, preparing you for more than just entry-level roles.
More than just rigorous coursework, you may also gain access to specialized tools and software that you wouldn’t have at other schools. You’ll use Bloomberg terminals, financial modeling software, and real-market data. At the best schools for finance, you can also take on client projects where you work with real companies to help them address their financial challenges.
Networking possibilities
Lastly, the networking opportunities at elite institutions and finance programs with impressive alumni organizations are hard to overstate. You’ll be able to meet people at all levels throughout the finance industry. Relationships with your professors — and with your peers — will be transformative and influential over the course of your entire career.
Choosing the Best Finance Schools for You: 5 Tips
Now that you know the best colleges for finance, how do you choose the best college for you? Here are five tips to help you decide.
5 Tips for Choosing Your Best Finance Schools
1. Evaluate classes and specializations to match your interests.
Look closely at each school’s offerings. If you want to study corporate finance and investments, don’t pick a school without these offerings, even if it’s one of the best colleges for accounting and finance. Make sure you know the difference between money-related courses.
2. Consider location and access to internships.
Location matters, especially when it comes to what internships you’ll be able to get while you’re in school. Schools near major financial centers (New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Charlotte) provide easier access to internships. And each city is known for their own industry–so do your research! For example, it’s harder to do entertainment finance in Boston than it is in Los Angeles.
3. Research alumni outcomes and networking.
Don’t just trust marketing materials, look into real placement data from the college. Where do graduates from this program actually work? And don’t hesitate to reach out to current students or recent graduates to ask about their experiences.
4. Assess faculty support and mentorship.
Look for programs where faculty are accessible, engaged in mentoring, and actively connected to the finance industry. Are they conducting research that interests you? Do they have industry experience? Also take into consideration the size of the school: smaller programs are more likely to facilitate closer faculty-student relationships.
5. Compare cost versus potential earnings.
Finance is one field where prestigious degrees can often generate lucrative financial returns, but you still need to run the numbers for your situation. Consider in-state tuition at state universities and think about which schools offer good financial aid. For example, prestigious schools like Ivies offer significant need-based aid.
Best Colleges for Finance- Final Takeaways
Choosing where to study finance could be one of the biggest decisions of your career. If you set your sights early on one of the best finance schools in the U.S., you can start working during high school to set yourself up for success.
While the schools in this guide represent some of the strongest programs in the country, remember that the “best” school isn’t always the best one for you. Consider the type of finance career you want, where you want to work, what kind of learning environment helps you thrive, and what you and your family can afford. Don’t just chase rankings — find the schools that provide a clear path to achieving your career goals.
We understand that all of this information can be a lot. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, CollegeAdvisor is here to help you explore and apply to top finance programs — from interview coaching to essay editing, CollegeAdvisor’s got you covered!
This article was written by advisor, Rachel Kahn. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
