University business school students talking in a hallway.

Considering a Finance Degree?

A finance degree can lead to banking, lending, investing, accounting, or managing the money behind a business. Compare degree levels, programs, and careers here, with plain-English guidance from people who’ve worked in the field.

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Written and reviewed by the Finance-Degree.com Team 45+ years of combined industry experience

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Where would you like to begin?

Finance degrees by level

Three common levels, each building on the one before it.

About 2 years

Associate Degrees

An introduction to accounting, economics, management, and finance. It can support entry-level roles or count toward a bachelor’s.

About 4 years

Bachelor’s Degrees

Deeper study of financial management, analysis, investments, and markets. The typical entry point for jobs like financial analyst and loan officer.

Often 1 to 2 years

MBA in Finance

Graduate business study with advanced finance, strategy, and leadership. For people who already hold a bachelor’s.

Compare all degree levels →

Finance and business degree programs

Business and finance programs overlap, but each puts weight on different subjects. Compare them by the work you want to do, the education you already have, and whether you need an online or campus format.

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Types of finance and business degrees

Business schools offer finance alongside related majors like accounting, banking, and economics. Each leads to different work: analyzing investments, lending to businesses, keeping the books, or managing a company’s money. Depending on the role, experience, exams, and licenses can matter as much as the degree.

See where each field can lead →

Before you enroll

Questions to ask before choosing a program

We treat choosing a degree like any big financial decision: compare the total cost, the time it takes, the requirements, and where it can realistically lead before you commit. An admissions rep can explain the program, but check the school’s catalog, accreditation, total cost, and published outcomes yourself.

Cost and timing

  • What’s the total cost, including fees, books, and technology?
  • When do classes start, and what are the deadlines?

Format and fit

  • Is it online, on campus, or hybrid?
  • What are the prerequisites and transfer-credit rules?

Quality and results

  • Is the school accredited by a recognized agency?
  • What graduation and job outcomes does it publish?

Compare for yourself

  • Look up costs and outcomes on the College Scorecard.
  • Get transfer and aid answers in writing.

Our take

You don’t have to pick a narrow specialty on day one. In our years in banking and investments, plenty of our coworkers had general business or finance degrees. If you’re not sure finance is the right field, start with why people major in finance.

For students

November/December 2026 open houses, info sessions, and deadlines

Upcoming chances to meet business schools, plus dates worth putting on your calendar.

Undergraduate

  1. Open house

    Charter Oak State College virtual open house

    Connecticut’s public online college covers its online bachelor’s programs, including business administration and finance, at 5:30 p.m. ET on Zoom. A good fit for adults finishing a degree: the school highlights credit for prior learning, military experience, and professional certifications.

    Details: Charter Oak State College announcement

  2. Info session

    Rutgers Business School undergraduate info session

    An in-person session for prospective undergraduates at Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick in Piscataway, N.J., 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is required and reserves your parking.

    Details: Rutgers Business School

MBA and graduate

  1. Open house

    UNC Kenan-Flagler Online MBA virtual open house

    A noon (ET) online session on the University of North Carolina’s online MBA. The school follows it on Dec. 3 with a webinar on putting together a strong MBA application.

    Details: UNC Kenan-Flagler events

  2. Info session

    Minnesota State Mankato online MBA info session

    A 30-minute Zoom session on Minnesota State University, Mankato’s fully online MBA.

    Details: Minnesota State Mankato

  3. Info sessions

    Wisconsin School of Business MBA sessions

    Virtual sessions on the Executive MBA (Dec. 9) and full-time MBA (Dec. 10), then in-person “Inside Look” visits for the Executive and Professional (evening) MBA on Saturday, Dec. 12, in Madison.

    Details: Wisconsin School of Business events

Deadlines

  1. Student loans

    Last day to lock in a lower student loan rate

    Federal student loan borrowers who sign up for autopay through their loan servicer by Dec. 31 get a 1-percentage-point interest rate cut on eligible Direct Loans that lasts through June 30, 2028. Borrowers already on autopay get the cut automatically.

    Details: PBS NewsHour

  2. MBA admissions

    Round 2 MBA deadlines at many top programs

    Michigan Ross (Jan. 4); Harvard, Wharton, and Columbia (Jan. 5); Kellogg and UNC Kenan-Flagler (Jan. 6); and Chicago Booth (Jan. 7). If you’re applying this cycle, line up test scores and recommendations now. Confirm each date on the school’s own site.

    Details: GMAT Club deadline tracker

Last updated November 12, 2026. Our editors choose these listings; schools don’t pay to appear here. Dates can change, so confirm with the school before you sign up. Know of an event we should add? Let us know.