Finance major
Finance: courses, careers, and where to study
Finance majors learn how money moves — corporate finance, investments, financial markets, and risk management — preparing for roles in banking, investments, and corporate analysis.
A Finance major builds on the business core with deeper coursework in corporate finance, investments, derivatives, financial markets, real estate, international finance, and behavioral finance. Many programs offer concentrations in Investments, Corporate Finance, Real Estate, or FinTech. The CFA Institute publishes a recognized curriculum that some Finance programs align with — check whether your school is a CFA Affiliated University Program.
Finance graduates work in commercial banking, investment banking, asset management, corporate treasury, insurance, real estate, and FinTech. The major pairs well with a CS minor or double major for quantitative finance roles.
What you'll study
- Corporate finance and capital structure
- Investments and portfolio theory
- Derivatives and risk management
- Financial markets and institutions
- International finance
- Real-estate finance
- Financial modeling in Excel
- Time-value-of-money and valuation
Typical careers
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banking Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Risk Analyst
- Corporate Treasurer
- Wealth Management Advisor
Starting salary range: $62,000–$95,000 starting (BLS financial analyst median $99,890)
Find a Finance program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Finance programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting — no account required.
Related majors
Business Administration
Business Administration is the most popular U.S. major — a broad foundation in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and economics that prepares graduates for nearly any industry.
Accounting
Accounting prepares graduates for the CPA exam and careers in public accounting, corporate finance, audit, tax, and forensic accounting — a major with high job placement.
Economics
Economics studies how individuals, firms, and governments allocate resources — combining theory with empirical analysis and a strong mathematical foundation.
Mathematics
Mathematics develops formal proof, abstraction, and quantitative analysis — feeding into research, finance, computing, actuarial science, and graduate programs across STEM.