What it is
Finance is the study of money, investments, and how individuals and organizations manage capital — analyzing investments, managing risk, and shaping corporate financial strategy. It's a well-paid, quantitative business field.
What you'll study
Finance is quantitative and applied:
- Year 1–2Accounting, economics, statistics, and calculus
- Year 2–3Corporate finance, investments, and financial markets
- Year 3–4Valuation, risk management, financial modeling, and a concentration
Concentrations & focus areas
- Corporate FinanceCompany finances
- Investments / Asset ManagementMarkets
- Investment BankingDeals & capital
- Financial PlanningPersonal finance
- Risk ManagementManaging risk
- Fintech / AnalyticsTechnology & data
Skills you'll build
- Financial analysisEvaluating options
- ModelingValuation & forecasting
- Quantitative skillsMath & Excel
- Decision-makingUnder uncertainty
- CommunicationExplaining finance
Careers & job titles
- Financial analystThe core role (~$102,740)
- Investment bankerDeals & capital
- Corporate finance associateCompany finance
- Financial advisor / plannerPersonal finance
- Risk / credit analystRisk
- Financial managerWith experience (~$156,100)
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects financial analysts to grow about 7% (much faster than average), and financial managers strongly. Finance is in demand across banking, corporations, investment firms, and fintech, and pay is high.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial and investment analysts had a median of $102,740 (May 2025) and financial managers about $156,100 (among the best-paid business roles). Investment banking and asset management can pay far more.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's is the standard entry; a master's (often an MBA) accelerates advancement into management and leadership.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you like working with people and organizations, are practical and results-oriented, and want a flexible degree with clear advancement.
Edge: business rewards internships, quantitative/analytics skills, and a concentration — and the MBA is a well-worn path to leadership and higher pay.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusMoney, investments, capital, risk
- StudyCorporate finance, investments, modeling
- CareersFinancial analyst, banker, advisor, manager
- Outlook~7% growth (much faster, BLS)
- Pay$102,740 analysts / ~$156,100 managers (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: