25 Best Business Finance Degree Programs 2024

The University of Virginia is known as a “public Ivy” because it is a public university that provides an Ivy League-level education. The Commerce-Finance program at Virginia focuses on ethical leadership. Students have the opportunity to study with working professionals from the finance sector to ensure that their education is up-to-date.

The College of William & Mary is the oldest public institution in the nation and the second-oldest institution overall (Harvard is the oldest). William & Mary has long been known for its leading finance program, which offers instruction in everything from financial history to international finance. Students will also study corporate financial strategy and portfolio management.

Drake University offers the highest-ranked finance program in Iowa. The finance program at Drake is focused on preparing students to work in a corporate setting. Students have ample opportunity to complete internships that will give them practical experience.

DePaul University is a prestigious private university located in the Chicago area. DePaul is affiliated with the Catholic Church, but students of all faiths are welcome. DePaul is home to the renowned Finance Lab, which gives students access to professional financial analytics and trading platforms.

Bentley University may be one of the lesser-known institutions on this list, but it still offers a high-quality finance degree program. Bentley focuses exclusively on business-related degrees, so the school offers many resources specifically for finance students. Students can choose from three concentrations, including Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, and Financial Planning.

It may seem odd to see the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a list of the best finance degree programs, but MIT does have a top-notch business school. As you might expect, the finance program at MIT is centered around computer science, technology, and math. Many MIT finance grads go into analytical positions upon receiving their degrees.

The University of Notre Dame is well-known for its business school, and the finance program is particularly strong. The finance program is focused on technological innovation to ensure that students stay current with developments in the financial world. Notre Dame is known for offering small class sizes to ensure that students get the personalized attention they need.

Washington University in Saint Louis is a prestigious university best known for the humanities and social sciences, but it also has a very strong finance program. The degree offered is technically a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, but students can choose a finance concentration. Graduates from WUSTL’s business school have a 97% job placement rate.

Emory University is one of the most prestigious private universities in the South, and much of this prestige comes from its business school. The finance program at Emory is focused on corporate finance. However, students can choose to study financial planning.

Georgetown University offers the top-ranked finance program in the Washington D.C. area. Georgetown’s finance program is unique in that students can study global finance. There are many internship opportunities so that students can get hands-on experience before they graduate.

Santa Clara University is one of the smallest schools on our list, but its business school is one of the best in the country. The school offers a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a Finance specialization. Students can benefit from Santa Clara’s close connections with nearby Silicon Valley through internships and networking opportunities.

Case Western Reserve University is the leading institution for finance education in Ohio. The relevant degree is actually a Bachelor of Science in Management with a Finance focus. This program is focused on educating students about global financial markets, but students can also learn about the American finance sector.

The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League institution, so it should come as no surprise that Penn’s finance program is so highly ranked. The finance degree is offered by the Wharton School of Business, which is often ranked as one of the top business schools in the world. Students receive a well-rounded education in all areas of finance, from asset management to international finance.

Cornell University is the second Ivy League institution on our list. Cornell offers a unique major in Applied Economics & Management, and students can choose to pursue a Finance concentration. The program gives students a well-rounded education in finance, with a particular focus on technology.

New York University offers the highest-ranked finance program in the financial capital of the world. The finance program at NYU is focused more on investments and securities, but students can also study corporate finance. Unsurprisingly, many students go on to work on Wall Street.

The University of Richmond is best known for its top-notch liberal arts programs, but it also has an excellent business school. The university offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a Finance concentration. Students can further specialize in either Investments & Securities or Corporate Finance.

Providence College is small liberal arts college that (somewhat surprisingly) offers a strong finance program. The finance program at Providence focuses on three areas: corporate finance, investments, and financial institutions. This ensures that graduates are prepared to go into a variety of fields.

Lehigh University is the lesser-known of the two institutions on this list from Pennsylvania, but it still offers an excellent finance program. The program has a dual focus on corporate finance and securities. Lehigh also offers finance students the opportunity to do an internship and gain valuable experience before they graduate.

The University of Miami is the only institution from Florida to make our list. Students who major in Business Administration can choose to specialize in finance. UM’s program focuses on global finance.

Boston College is one of several institutions from the city to make our list. BC’s finance program offers a well-rounded education in all aspects of the sector. Students have the opportunity to intern with local financial firms to gain experience.

Carnegie Mellon University was founded by business tycoon Andrew Carnegie, and the institution is well-known for its business school. The unique Computational Finance major is focused on analytics. However, finance students are also educated in practical business management methodology.

The University of Southern California offers the leading finance program in the region. Students who major in Business Administration can choose to specialize in Finance. The finance program at USC offers students many professional immersion experiences to help them network and prepare for the finance world.

Boston University is the last of several institutions from the city to make our list. The finance program at BU focuses on corporate finance and management. Students can even take a Los Angeles-based immersion course in entertainment finance.

Fordham University’s highly ranked finance program benefits from its location in the finance capital of the world, New York City. Students can either major in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance or simply major in Finance. Finance students can choose to specialize in unique areas like Alternative Investments or Financial Technology.

Southern Methodist University is the only school from Texas on our list. Students can major in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance. SMU has several renowned financial research centers that students can access.