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Bachelor of Science

Online Finance Degree

OVERVIEW

A Technology-Forward Online Finance Degree


 

In the field of finance, possessing the latest knowledge and skills can make all the difference to your success. WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Finance degree is a technology-forward program designed to prepare you to become an in-demand professional. This program focuses on application of skills and knowledge in traditional finance practice as well as emerging trends and technologies.

Designed with input from industry experts, this fully online bachelor's degree program sets you up with a solid foundation to execute on the most sought-after skills:

  • Financial modeling and data visualization 
  • Fintech
  • Blockchain/cryptocurrency AI
  • Automated trading
  • Valuation and protection of digital/information assets 
  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Technology and innovation
  • Logistics and operations

When you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in finance, you’ll be prepared to work for a range of employers—from Wall Street banks to wealth management firms.  

Now’s the time to expand your education—and your career opportunities—with a degree in finance.

Compare this degree: Also considering the B.S. Accounting degree program? This article can help you understand the differences.

70% of graduates finish similar programs within

42 Months*

WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.

*WGU Internal Data

Tuition per six-month term is

$3,575

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their finance degree. Finish faster, pay less!

Average salary increase

$22,200*

According to a 2022 Harris Poll, just two years after graduation, WGU grads report earning $22,200 more per year, and that amount increases to $29,200 four years after graduation.

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COURSES

Finance Courses

Program consists of 40 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

The WGU bachelor’s degree in finance is an affordable way to prepare for a career in financial planning, management consulting, wealth management, investment banking, and more. Learn how to analyze an organization’s financial data and make strategic recommendations that support its growth.

The curriculum in this program is industry-aligned around professional certifications, including the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Financial Planning and Analysis Professional to ensure that you gain the knowledge and skills today’s employers look for. 

Business Management
Business Core
Accounting
Finance
Human Resources
General Education

40 Courses

Program consists of 40 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Capstone Project

Special requirements for this program

At the end of your program, you’ll complete a capstone project that that allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world situation, performing a financial analysis of an enterprise with software that simulate the experience of a finance professional.

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for. 

  • Management: Successfully developed a comprehensive strategic plan for an organization or process, aligning business objectives with actionable strategies for growth and success.
  • Accounting: Skillfully communicated the economic status and trajectory of the organization to key stakeholders, providing accurate and insightful information for decision-making. 
  • Finance: Expertly identified relevant financial tools and techniques, enabling well-informed financial decisions.
  • Spreadsheets: Analyzed data from various connected sources and presented the current state of business affairs using spreadsheet software.
  • Financial Analysis: Conducted thorough analysis of a company's financial information to produce accurate and reliable forecasts.
  • Problem Solving: Proficiently analyzed data to identify the nature and extent of a problem.

“I got this job because I was a graduate with my bachelor's in accounting from WGU. My new degree got me my new job.”

—Raymond Baker
B.S. Accounting

WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference

Traditional Universities

 

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Traditional Universities

 

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

TUITION STRUCTURE

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

SUPPORT

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

EXAMS

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

SCHEDULE

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

TIME TO FINISH

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

TRANSFER CREDITS

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Why WGU?

Earning Potential

A degree can dramatically impact your earning potential. According to a 2022 Harris Poll, two years after graduation, WGU students report earning $22,200 more per year. 

On Your Schedule

Competency-based education means you can move as quickly through your degree as you can master the material. You don't have to log in to classes at a certain time—you are truly in the driver's seat of your education

Ready For Your Next Step

Graduates of this program are ready to progress toward the Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional and Certified Management Accountant certifications. This program meets the requirements for both of these financial exams.

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

COST & TIME

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Finance Degree Online?

By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.

Tuition Calculator
Pay less by completing your program faster
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A Finance Degree Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. 

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

You Don’t Have to Put Your Life on Pause to Earn Your Degree.
WGU was built for the busy.

Study whenever and wherever works best for you while managing your existing job and family responsibilities. Your effort, not class time, determines the pace of your progress. We call it competency-based education, and it works like this:  

  1. Review your course material.
  2. When you feel like you know the material, take an online assessment.
  3. Pass and move on to the next unit.

There’s no waiting for a new semester to start. At WGU, you control where, when, and how fast you earn your online finance degree.

“Now that I'm doing full-cycle accounting, I understand the scope. I understand where you start and where you're supposed to wind up. It just makes a lot more sense. Earning my degree has really helped me fill in the blanks and take my job satisfaction to a higher level because I actually understand why I'm doing what I'm doing now.”

—Kate Leger
B.S. Accounting

CAREER OUTLOOK

Your Finance Degree Can Add Up to a Lucrative Career

Turn your knack for numbers into a rewarding finance career with WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Finance degree. Financial professionals play a crucial role in ensuring a company or client’s financial stability. Earning your B.S. in finance degree ensures that your skills will be highly sought after, because every organization—from healthcare to technology—needs people to track its revenue and expenses. This is a rewarding career field that comes with great job security and high salaries, even for entry-level positions. This online finance degree at WGU combines traditional practice and emerging trends to prepare you for a variety of career opportunities in the finance realm.

Return on Your Investment

On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

9%

Employment of finance professionals is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031. The national average salary for a financial professional is $82,000 as of 2022.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A Bachelor’s in Finance Paves the Way for Career Success

Our alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers:

Job Titles

  • Investment analyst
  • Financial director
  • Vice president of finance and operations
  • Underwriter
  • Chief financial officer
  • Actuary

Diverse Industries

  • Financing
  • Investment Banking
  • Real Estate Investment & Management
  • Venture Capital/Startups
  • Insurance; Lending & Credit

Major Employers

  • Bank of America
  • U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Wyndham
  • Northrop Grumman

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

ADMISSIONS

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to undergraduate School of Business programs must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following options below:

  • Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
  • Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.

Get Your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.

Transfer Credits

Get Added Support and Flexibility as You Start Your Degree 
Take a course or two at your pace before committing to a full degree program. Strengthen your study habits, gain essential learning skills and, best of all, each completed course counts toward your degree requirements. 

Learn More about Pathways to Starting

FAQs about a Finance Bachelor’s Degree

A finance degree can prepare you for several careers, including:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Investment Banker
  • Actuary
  • Budget Analyst
  • Product Line Manager
  • Investment Analyst
  • Asset Manager
  • Underwriter

Salaries can vary quite a bit depending on your educational background and experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the median annual wage for financial and business professionals was $77,000 in 2021, with salaries ranging from $47,000 to $128,000.

 

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) lists an expected average first-year salary of $60,695 for business and finance-related majors in 2022.

Finance can be a challenging degree path. But if you enjoy math, problem solving, and thinking strategically, then finance will likely be a rewarding degree for you.

The main difference between accounting and finance is that in finance, you typically focus on planning and directing the financial transactions for an organization. This includes budgeting, strategy, etc. In accounting, the focus is on recording and reporting on those transactions according to GAAP.

Success in this field requires a solid understanding of math. But you don’t have to be a math whiz to master your courses—you just have to be willing to put in the work and ask for help when you need it.

Earning your degree in finance comes with many benefits: it can give you the financial skills today’s employers are looking for and set you up for a stable, high-earning career in countless fields.  

Yes! According to the BLS, jobs in finance are in high demand. Approximately 98,200 openings for financial and business occupations are projected each year from 2021 to 2031.

The cost of your online accounting degree will vary based on the school you choose—different schools will have different tuition and fee amounts. WGU is one of the most affordable options for an online accounting degree, with tuition costing just $3,755 per six-month term. Tuition is charged per term, not per credit, so you can take as many courses as you're able during your six-month term. That means graduating faster will cost less! 

Yes! There are many online degree programs that offer finance degrees. Do your research to learn which kind of online university is the best fit for you. For example, WGU offers entirely online degrees and no set class times—you do your coursework on your schedule. This helps you take control of your education and earn an online finance degree on your timeline. 

There are many online colleges that offer finance degree programs, so it's important to do your research to find the best fit for you. Look at tuition costs, accreditation, educational models, and coursework to figure out which program is best. WGU is highly reputable, accredited, and affordable. Our online finance degree program has helped thousands of students pursue a finance career and find success.

An online finance degree is extremely valuable if you want to become a finance professional. For most finance positions you will need at least a bachelor's degree. This will help you learn about fundamental finance principles, rules, regulations, financial statements, and more.

An online finance degree can be a fantastic choice if you are currently working full-time and want to maintain your job while furthering your education. An online finance degree also allows you to get valuable credentials that boost your résumé, preparing you to move forward in your career. An online finance degree can be a great option for many working professionals and students who are looking for an accessible degree option. 

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?