Finance Schools and Programs in The United States, viewing 101-113 of 113 total results

Finance Studies in The United States

Finance is the study of how individuals and organisations raise money and capital and how they allocate it among competing investments. A finance degree covers financial markets, the valuation of assets, banking and the financial management of companies. This page also covers actuarial science, the neighbouring subject that, in the words of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), uses mathematics, statistics and financial theory to analyse the economic costs of risk and uncertainty.

In the United States both subjects are taught mainly in university business schools.

How the degree is organised

The standard qualification is a bachelor's degree, which EducationUSA says is usually completed in four years of full-time study. Two examples:

• At The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), the Bachelor of Science in Finance requires a minimum of 120 credits. The major covers investment analysis, the management of banks and other financial institutions, and the financial management of corporations.
• At Temple University in Philadelphia, the Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance has 124 credit hours and is intended for students who plan careers in asset management, commercial and investment banking, the corporate sector, consulting and public finance.

Actuarial science is a separate, more mathematical major. Penn State's Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science also requires a minimum of 120 credits and prepares students to begin the professional examinations of the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society while they are enrolled. Temple states that its actuarial programme is designated a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries.

Community colleges on the list, such as Pasadena City College and Broward College, teach the first two years of a bachelor's degree, the route EducationUSA calls "2+2".

At graduate level there are specialised master's degrees. Bentley's Master of Science in Finance is aligned with all three levels of the CFA exam, and Temple's Financial Analysis MS is a CFA University Affiliated Program. Both universities describe programmes or paths with a STEM designation, which matters to international students because, as Bentley explains, it allows an extended period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants in general must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Teaching is in English. Finance and, above all, actuarial science require solid mathematics; Temple's actuarial major, for example, replaces the business statistics courses with Calculus I and II. The search for a programme should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year.

To study on an F student visa, students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study finance in the United States

New York has the largest group of schools on this page, followed by Miami and Philadelphia. Universities on the list include Columbia University in New York, the University of Miami and Florida International University in Miami, Temple University and Drexel University in Philadelphia, Bentley University in Waltham and Northeastern University in Boston. Large public universities include The Ohio State University in Columbus, The University of Texas at Austin, Penn State in University Park and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Accreditation, licences and professional exams

EducationUSA explains that the recognition of course credits and degrees by other institutions and by employers is linked to an institution's accreditation. Business schools can also hold a specialised accreditation from AACSB, which describes it as a framework for quality assurance and continuous improvement in business education.

Professional credentials come after the degree:

• CFA charter. The CFA Program consists of three exams and, according to the CFA Institute, takes three to four years to complete. Temple notes that candidates can take the first exam in the final year of a four-year degree and need at least 36 months of professional experience to become charterholders.
• Securities licences. The BLS states that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organisation for the securities industry. Most licences require sponsorship by an employer, so companies do not expect new graduates to have them.
• Actuarial exams. Actuaries must pass a series of exams; the BLS says many employers expect new hires to have passed at least one or two before graduation, and that the associate-level certification may take up to 7 years.

Careers

According to the BLS, financial analysts held 443,100 jobs in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 29,500 openings a year. Personal financial advisors held 299,400 jobs, with projected growth of 1 percent. Actuaries are a much smaller occupation, with 31,200 jobs in 2025, projected growth of 9 percent and about 1,500 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a finance degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study; Penn State's BS in Finance requires a minimum of 120 credits and Temple's BBA in Finance 124 credit hours.

What is the difference between finance and actuarial science?

Finance deals with investment, banking and the financial management of companies. Actuarial science applies mathematics and statistics to risk, mainly in insurance and pensions, and leads to a series of professional exams.

Do I need the CFA to work in finance?

No, it is not a legal requirement, but Temple notes that the credential is often required for employment or advancement in money management.