Finance
From local businesses to Wall Street, a Finance degree from CBU provides you with a range of rewarding and in-demand career opportunities.
As a Bachelor of Science in Finance student, you’ll gain a strong foundation in financial decision-making and the practical skills employers are looking for. Coursework includes corporate finance, investments, capital markets and institutions, and financial management. You’ll receive the individual attention you need to master complex financial concepts, with small courses capped at 24 students and a wide selection of electives, from portfolio management to financial statement analysis.
- Small Class Sizes & Faculty Accessibility: CBU’s School of Business is known for its personalized, relationship-driven approach. Students learn directly from experienced finance faculty who provide individualized mentoring, internship guidance, and career support. This includes mentoring students for graduate school and certifications like the CFA®.
- Experiential Learning & Employer Connections: The program maintains strong ties with regional finance firms, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Through internships, service learning, and hands-on projects, students gain meaningful professional experience before graduation, giving them a competitive edge in hiring.
- Hands-on Learning & Professional Experience: As part of the Finance program at CBU, students will manage a live $500,000+ investment portfolio through the nationally recognized TVA Investment Challenge. Students will gain hands-on experience in professional portfolio management, build industry connections, and learn to network with peers.
As a finance student, you will complete an internship designed to prepare you to enter the business world upon graduation. Working under the guidance of a business faculty member, this experience will enhance your resume, reinforce the skills needed for a finance degree, and help kickstart your transition from college to corporate.
What You’ll Study
The finance major requires 121 credit hours. You’ll take CBU general education and liberal arts courses, business core courses, and focused finance coursework designed to build both technical knowledge and professional skills.
Areas of study include:
- Investment
- Capital markets and institutions
- Financial management
- Portfolio Management
- International Finance
To complete the program, you will also complete an internship or faculty-guided research project, giving you hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of how finance principles are applied in real business settings.
View Finance Course RequirementsCareers with a BS Finance Degree
Nearly every industry relies on financial professionals, giving financial graduates the flexibility to work in a wide range of fields and professions. With a Bachelor of Science in Finance from CBU, you can pursue careers in corporate offices, financial institutions, growing startups, and global markets, from regional firms to the fast-paced environment of Wall Street.
Graduates commonly pursue roles such as:
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Broker/Trader
- Personal Financial Planner/Advisor
- Insurance Agent
- Credit Analyst
- Wealth Manager
These career pathways reflect the broad preparation of the finance program and the practical skills you develop throughout your finance coursework and internship experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024, professionals with a Bachelor’s in Finance generally earn a median annual salary between $78,000 and $102,000.
Our Graduates
CBU financial graduates have gone on to build successful careers with a wide range of respected financial and insurance organizations, including:
- CitiFinancial Corporation
- Fidelity Investments
- State Farm
- Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
- Northwestern Mutual
- The Metropolitan Bank
- FTN Financial
- Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance
- Regions Financial Corporation
These outcomes reflect the program’s strong academic preparation, professional experience requirements, and close connections to employers across the financial services industry.
Is a Degree in Finance for You?
Finance students often share similar mindsets and ways of thinking. If you identify with some of the skills and interests on this list, a career in finance may be a good fit for you:
- Creative problem-solving
- Interest in mathematics and statistics
- Professional ethics
- Adaptability and resilience
- Interest in technology
These traits help finance majors excel both in the classroom and in real-world financial situations, from corporate offices to investment firms.
Related Programs
You may also be interested in one of these other CBU programs:
- ACCOUNTING – offered as a major or minor, this business program provides a strong foundation in financial reporting, auditing, and taxation.
- BANKING – this business program at CBU is offered as a minor or concentration, focusing on financial institutions, lending, and investment management.
These programs can enhance your financial education and expand your career opportunities across the financial services industry.
Meet the Faculty
CBU’s finance faculty brings a wealth of professional experience and academic expertise to the classroom. They are dedicated to helping students master complex financial concepts, develop practical skills, and prepare for rewarding careers in finance.
With small class sizes and personalized guidance, faculty members provide mentorship, career advice, and opportunities to engage in real-world projects and internships, ensuring that every finance student is supported throughout their academic journey.
