2021 Best Colleges for Finance & Financial Management
Approximately 52,676 finance and financial management degrees were awarded to students last year in the United States. With so many choices it can be a challenge finding the best fit for you. This year's Best Colleges for Finance & Financial Management ranking analyzed 317 colleges and universities that offer a bachelor's degree in finance and financial management. We look at over 20 factors to determine the top 25 colleges for Finance & Financial Management students.
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Choosing a Great Finance & Financial Management School
Your choice of finance and financial management school matters. Important measures of a quality finance program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A Great Overall School
The overall quality of a school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The lowest ranked school in our list is in the top 27% of our overall quality ranking while the vast majority are in at least the top 12%.
Above Average Earnings After Graduation
A finance and financial management degree from colleges on this list typically results in above average income after graduation. While the average finance and financial management bachelors degree from U.S. schools results in an average starting salary of $48,186, graduates of colleges on this list average $64,032.
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus - How much a school focuses on Finance & Financial Management students vs. other majors.
- Major Popularity - How many other finance and financial management students choose this school.
- Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or a recognized finance and financial management related accrediting body.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for Finance & Financial Management students.
Best Schools to Study Finance & Financial Management in United States
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities in the U.S. for a Finance & Financial Management degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list. Of the 317 schools analyzed, only 25 earned the distinction of being on this list.
Top 25 Best Finance Colleges
University of Pennsylvania is among your top options if you're planning on studying finance and financial management. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of 9 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great school overall.
There are roughly 738 finance and financial management undergrads enrolled in this degree at UPenn. University of Pennsylvania finance and financial management students make $43,668 more than the average finance grad.
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Bentley University is one of the best schools in the country for finance and financial management. Bentley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Waltham. A Best Colleges rank of 63 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Bentley is a great college overall.
There are approximately 266 finance and financial management undergraduates enrolled in this degree at Bentley. Soon after graduation, finance students typically earn around $61,300 in the first five years of their career.
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It is hard to beat Boston College if you want to study finance and financial management. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Chestnut Hill. A Best Colleges rank of 61 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Boston College is a great school overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, Boston College also offers 2 different higher degree levels in finance and financial management, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Boston College finance and financial management graduates receive $4,468 more than the standard finance graduate.
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Georgetown University is a wonderful choice for individuals interested in a Finance & Financial Management degree. Located in the large city Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 55 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great school overall.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, Georgetown also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Georgetown University finance and financial management students make $17,368 more than the standard finance graduate.
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Located in the small city Bethlehem, Lehigh is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of 44 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Lehigh is a great school overall.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, Lehigh also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Students from the finance and financial management program at Lehigh University make $4,168 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
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Located in the suburb Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 14 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great school overall.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, Notre Dame also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Finance & Financial Management majors from University of Notre Dame earn a boost of around $13,068 above the typical earnings of finance and financial management majors.
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Located in the large suburb Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 78 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Villanova is a great school overall.
In addition to its bachelor's programs, Villanova offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Villanova University finance and financial management majors receive $4,268 more than the standard finance graduate.
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SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. This college ranks 114th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
In addition to its bachelor's programs, SMU offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Southern Methodist University finance and financial management students receive $4,068 more than the average finance grad.
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Located in the large city New Orleans, Tulane is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 108th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.
In addition to its bachelor's programs, Tulane offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Graduates of the finance program make an average of $62,800 for their early career.
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SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. A Best Colleges rank of 68 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means SCU is a great college overall.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, SCU also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Finance & Financial Management graduates from Santa Clara University receive an earnings boost of approximately $4,068 above the average income of finance and financial management majors.
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Bryant is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Smithfield. This school ranks 228th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, Bryant also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Soon after getting their bachelor's degree, finance students usually make around $56,500 in the first five years of their career.
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Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem. A Best Colleges rank of 37 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Wake Forest University is a great college overall.
With 108 undergraduates, Wake Forest University is one of most popular colleges to study finance in United States. Wake Forest University finance and financial management students earn $7,868 more than the typical finance grad.
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Located in the city San Diego, U of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. This school ranks 162nd out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There are about 216 finance and financial management undergrads studying this program at U of San Diego. After graduating, finance students typically make around $57,800 in the first five years of their career.
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Located in the midsize city Providence, Providence is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 145th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.
There are approximately 181 finance and financial management undergrads enrolled in this program at Providence. Students who graduate from this degree state that they receive average early career wages of $53,200.
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Located in the suburb College Park, UMCP is a public college with a very large student population. This college ranks 117th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, UMCP also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Soon after getting their bachelor's degree, finance students usually make about $64,600 in their early careers.
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Elon is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Elon. A Best Colleges rank of 99 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Elon is a great college overall.
There are approximately 199 finance and financial management undergraduates studying this program at Elon. Students who graduate from the finance program make an average of $59,400 in their early career salary.
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Located in the large city New York, Baruch is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 466th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There are about 942 finance and financial management undergraduates enrolled in this program at Baruch. Soon after getting their bachelor's degree, finance students usually make around $46,900 at the beginning of their careers.
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Located in the small city Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 103rd out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.
University of Miami is one of the most popular school to study finance in United States with more than 286 graduations last year. Soon after graduation, finance students typically earn around $58,500 in the first five years of their career.
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Located in the large suburb Newark, U of Delaware is a public school with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 87 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means U of Delaware is a great school overall.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, U of Delaware also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Students who graduate from the finance program make about $58,900 in their early career salary.
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Located in the large city Omaha, Creighton is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. This school ranks 127th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.
In addition to its bachelor's programs, Creighton offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Students who graduate from the finance program make about $53,600 in the first couple years of working.
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Michigan State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of East Lansing. This school ranks 107th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
For those interested in something more advanced, Michigan State also offers 2 different higher degree levels in finance and financial management, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree. Graduates of the finance program make about $55,300 for their early career.
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Located in the city Philadelphia, St. Joe's is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population. This school ranks 225th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.
With 182 undergraduates, Saint Joseph's University is one of most popular schools to study finance in United States. Soon after graduation, finance students usually make about $57,100 in the first five years of their career.
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Wisconsin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of 76 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means Wisconsin is a great school overall.
In addition to its bachelor's programs, Wisconsin offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Graduates of the finance program make an average of $60,900 for their early career.
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Located in the large suburb Fairfield, Fairfield U is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population. This school ranks 185th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
There are about 147 finance and financial management undergrads studying this program at Fairfield U. Soon after graduation, finance students usually earn around $57,800 in their early careers.
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U of Denver is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. This college ranks 176th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.
For those interested in pursuing a higher degree, U of Denver also offers a Master's Degree in finance and financial management. Students who graduate from this program state that they receive average early career earnings of $56,900.
More… Request InformationRest of the Top Best Colleges for Finance & Financial Management
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 Colleges for Finance & Financial Management award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI |
| 49 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 50 | Miami University - Oxford | Oxford, OH |
| 51 | Rutgers University - Newark | Newark, NJ |
| 52 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC |
| 53 | University of South Carolina - Columbia | Columbia, SC |
| 54 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN |
| 55 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS |
| 56 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA |
| 57 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA |
| 58 | Seattle University | Seattle, WA |
| 59 | Brigham Young University - Provo | Provo, UT |
| 60 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA |
| 61 | Drake University | Des Moines, IA |
| 62 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 63 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ |
Finance & Financial Management by Region
View the Best Colleges for Finance & Financial Management for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| The Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to Finance
Finance & Financial Management is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 410,147 |
| Accounting | 105,123 |
| General Business/Commerce | 58,451 |
| Marketing | 51,241 |
| Human Resource Management | 26,823 |
View All Finance Related Majors >
Notes and References
- The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Dave Dugdale. More about our data sources and methodologies.
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