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2024 Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

134 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
9,758 Finance Degrees Awarded
$52,044 Avg Early-Career Salary
Finance & Financial Management is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #14 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 134 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 9,758 degrees in finance & financial management during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Finance & Financial Management School

Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region The finance program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Finance & Financial Management rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for finance & financial management schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Finance & Financial Management Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Finance
Bachelor's Degrees in Finance
Master's Degrees in Finance
Doctor's Degrees in Finance

The finance school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Finance & Financial Management in the Great Lakes Region

The schools below may not offer all types of finance degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Finance

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In IL
74 Finance Degrees Awarded

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in finance & financial management. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 74 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Northwestern University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
301 Finance Degrees Awarded
11.3% Growth in Graduates

University of Notre Dame is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in finance & financial management. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were roughly 301 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from University of Notre Dame receive an earnings boost of approximately $34,899 above the average income of finance & financial management majors.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Notre Dame

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
463 Finance Degrees Awarded
6.9% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat University of Wisconsin - Madison if you want to pursue a degree in finance & financial management. UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 463 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison get an earnings boost of about $9,430 over the typical earnings of finance & financial management graduates.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Wisconsin - Madison

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
287 Finance Degrees Awarded
10.8% Growth in Graduates

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great choice for students interested in a degree in finance & financial management. UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were about 287 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Those finance & financial management students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $14,917 more than the average finance student.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
767 Finance Degrees Awarded
3.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 767 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management program at Ohio State University - Main Campus make $8,977 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Ohio State University - Main Campus

6
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
343 Finance Degrees Awarded
$61,907 Median Starting Salary

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were about 343 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Michigan State University get an earnings boost of about $9,863 above the typical income of finance & financial management graduates.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Michigan State University

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
276 Finance Degrees Awarded
13.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were about 276 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the finance program report average early career wages of $53,751.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Purdue University - Main Campus

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
241 Finance Degrees Awarded
$62,010 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #63 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Case Western is a great university overall.

There were roughly 241 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University earn a boost of about $9,966 above the average income of finance & financial management majors.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Case Western Reserve University

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
342 Finance Degrees Awarded
$61,275 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Miami University - Oxford is a great university overall.

There were roughly 342 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management program at Miami University - Oxford make $9,231 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Miami University - Oxford

10
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
235 Finance Degrees Awarded
$55,552 Median Starting Salary

DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. This university ranks 7th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 235 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from DePaul University get an earnings boost of approximately $3,508 above the average income of finance & financial management graduates.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from DePaul University

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
186 Finance Degrees Awarded
9.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, UDayton is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 186 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UDayton in the most recent data year. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from University of Dayton earn a boost of approximately $2,114 over the typical earnings of finance & financial management majors.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Dayton

12
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
189 Finance Degrees Awarded
25.4% Growth in Graduates

Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Milwaukee. A Best Colleges rank of #130 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were roughly 189 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent year we have data available. Finance & Financial Management degree recipients from Marquette University receive an earnings boost of about $5,673 over the average earnings of finance & financial management graduates.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Marquette University

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
129 Finance Degrees Awarded
7.0% Growth in Graduates

Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 129 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the finance & financial management major at Loyola University Chicago earn $6,485 above the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Loyola University Chicago

14
Butler crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In IN
101 Finance Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Butler is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #153 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Butler is a great university overall.

There were about 101 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Butler in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Butler University

15
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In WI
23.1% Growth in Graduates

Madison College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Madison. This college ranks 8th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were roughly 13 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Madison Area Technical College

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
281 Finance Degrees Awarded
14.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 281 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the finance program report average early career wages of $52,015.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

17
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
56 Finance Degrees Awarded
$51,563 Median Starting Salary

John Carroll is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of University Heights. This university ranks 18th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 56 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at John Carroll in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients usually make around $51,563 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from John Carroll University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
261 Finance Degrees Awarded
1.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 261 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the finance program state that they receive average early career income of $46,076.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Illinois at Chicago

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
220 Finance Degrees Awarded
17.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 220 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, finance degree recipients usually earn about $51,288 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from Ohio University - Athens Campus

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
186 Finance Degrees Awarded
$48,038 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Whitewater, UW - Whitewater is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 186 finance & financial management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Whitewater in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients generally earn about $48,038 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in finance & financial management from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Rest of the Top Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
26 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
21 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
22 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
23 Bradley University Peoria, IL
24 Illinois State University Normal, IL
25 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI

Best Finance & Financial Management Colleges by State

Explore the best finance & financial management schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 1,688
Ohio 314 3,170
Illinois 304 1,841
Indiana 294 1,177
Wisconsin 273 1,561

View All Rankings >

One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Finance & Financial Management has other similar majors worth exploring.

Finance Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Finance 9,201
Financial Planning & Services 280
Banking and Financial Support Services 131
International Finance 101
Other Finance and Financial Management Services 42
Investments and Securities 2
Credit Management 1

View All Finance Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 52,496
Accounting 14,839
Marketing 9,982
General Business/Commerce 9,301
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 7,693
Human Resource Management 5,374
Business Support & Assistant Services 5,143
Hospitality Management 2,087
Management Information Systems 1,926
Entrepreneurial Studies 1,870

View All Finance Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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