What Career Options are Available for Finance Majors?
Colleges and universities throughout the United States offer academic degree programs in finance and other closely related subjects. Those interested in and good at working with numbers are likely to find this major appealing. Graduates are also likely to have many employment opportunities. The knowledge and skills gained are highly useful and easily transferrable, with companies and organizations in every industry seeking qualified finance professionals. Jobs are particularly prevalent among careers dealing with money management, banking, and/or economics.
Individuals interested in finance should realize that there are a wide variety of distinct professions available in the field. As money management and investment are integral to most business, companies and organizations in almost every industry hire workers with financial expertise. As a result, hiring standards and professional duties can differ significantly from job to job. Responsibilities are also likely to vary based on employer size.
Despite these expected differences, finance professionals generally provide some sort of monetary assistance to individuals, companies, and/or organizations. This most frequently involves developing financial plans, strategies, and/or forecasts.
Two of the most common finance professions are accountant and auditor. These workers prepare and examine financial records in order to identify possible areas of opportunity/risk. They may also be expected to provide solutions to various fiscal problems that arise. Another common duty is ensuring that financial operations run smoothly. This typically requires examining financial statements, computing taxes owed, making best-practice recommendations to management, suggesting ways to reduce costs while improving profits, and inspecting account books for efficiency.
Top Ranked Campus & Online Finance Programs in New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
Score: 95.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,739
- Out-of-State:$65,739
- Net Price: $19,208
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 6,744
- Undergrad Students: 4,458
- Graduate Students: 2,286
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Saint Anselm College
Score: 70.66
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,810
- Out-of-State:$46,810
- Net Price: $35,080
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 1,977
- Undergrad Students: 1,959
- Graduate Students: 18
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Rivier University
Score: 67.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,791
- Out-of-State:$37,791
- Net Price: $28,983
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,551
- Undergrad Students: 1,340
- Graduate Students: 1,211
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Franklin Pierce University
Score: 60.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,963
- Out-of-State:$44,963
- Net Price: $28,434
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,663
- Undergrad Students: 1,118
- Graduate Students: 545
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Plymouth State University
Score: 60.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,558
- Out-of-State:$25,498
- Net Price: $20,321
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 3,872
- Undergrad Students: 3,308
- Graduate Students: 564
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Online Finance Education in New Hampshire
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for business and financial occupations is expected to increase by 7% from 2021 to 2031. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations in the nation and will result in approximately 980,200 job openings each year. Notably, some finance professions are projected to grow more than others. Market research analysts, for example, can expect to see employment increase by 19% during the same time period.
Finance and insurance is the sixth largest industry in New Hampshire, accounting for $6.8 billion in revenue each year. It may be possible for graduates to obtain employment in many of the state’s other top sectors, as well, including professional and business services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or entertainment.
Based on data provided by the BLS, 63,300 business and financial operations professionals were employed in New Hampshire as of May 2022. The annual mean wage for these occupations was $78,900, which is much higher than the state’s annual mean wage of $62,550 for all occupations.
A popular major area of study, finance degree programs are commonly offered by academic institutions throughout the nation. Online enrollment also makes it easy to take classes from anywhere with internet access, allowing for much more flexibility in class scheduling and course completion. Notably, however, those who intend to seek employment in New Hampshire will benefit most from choosing programs offered by schools located within the state. This ensures a geographically relevant education, which is especially important when applying for financial certifications and licenses.
Students seeking finance programs in New Hampshire will have many options both within the state and in nearby states. And schools in New Hampshire offer finance programs at every level. Options may include Plymouth State University, Southern New Hampshire University, UNH Manchester, Saint Anselm College, New England College, Franklin Pierce University, Rivier University, and other colleges and universities. New Hampshire schools are ready to offer you the education you need to get started in your career.
Prospective finance students should have little difficulty finding higher education programs in New Hampshire and beyond. A relatively popular area of study, this major is often available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Some institutions also offer relevant professional certificate programs to undergraduate and graduate students. While these often take less time to complete, they do not necessarily carry the same academic weight as traditional academic degrees.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most business and finance occupations require professionals to have bachelor’s degrees. Although this is the national standard, it’s not impossible to find employment with less education, but it’s important to remember that opportunities of this kind tend to be limited. Additionally, those with more advanced degrees often enjoy better job prospects and pay potential. It is also worth noting that master’s or doctoral degrees are typically necessary in order to obtain positions in financial management.
Online Associates (AS)
Associate degrees in finance generally consist of 60 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two years to complete. These are undergraduate programs, typically comprised of both general liberal arts and major-specific class requirements. This results in students studying various topics in communication, mathematics, and science while also receiving a broad introduction to the human resources management field. Curriculums vary, but often include instruction in finance, accounting, and bookkeeping. Those enrolled will likely learn about business, payroll, software, and banking, as well.
Graduates can generally pursue employment as accounting clerks, billing specialists, and bookkeepers. Entry-level employment may also be available in other industries, as companies and organizations of all kinds often rely on professionals capable of spreadsheet management, budgeting, tax preparation, and financial data analysis.
Alternatively, graduates can choose to continue their education by enrolling in bachelor’s degrees. Individuals who have completed associate programs in finance can often transfer the credits they earned previously and apply them toward their new degrees. Most colleges and universities accept 60 to 90 hours of coursework from other accredited institutions, which is usually equal to two years of higher education or approximately half of a four-year degree.
Online Bachelors (BS)
Bachelor’s degrees in finance often consist of 120 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately four years to complete. These are undergraduate programs that are still comprised of both general liberal arts and major-specific class requirements. In addition to studying various topics in communication, mathematics, and science, students are likely to receive instruction in financial planning, forecasting, investing, evaluating financial statements, cash flows, and security markets. Other common areas of study include accounting principles, financial institutions and markets, investments, and risk management.
Many colleges and universities also provide those enrolled with opportunities to select concentrations. This allows students to tailor the learning experience to better meet their ultimate career goals. This is a particularly great way to acquire specialized knowledge and skills in finance sub-fields.
Concentrations that may be available include:
- Investment Management
- Banking and Financial Services
- Corporate Finance
- Risk Management and Insurance
- Real Estate
Most finance professionals possess bachelor’s degrees. Graduates often qualify for entry-level employment opportunities as financial planners, accountants, and financial analysts, though work may be available in other industries, as well. These professionals can also earn promotions with no further education if they gain experience in their role.
Alternatively, graduates can choose to continue their education by enrolling in master’s degree programs. Pursuing this level of education can lead to greater employment options and higher pay potential. Those interested in graduate school should be prepared to meet established minimum grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score requirements set by your chosen institution.
Online Masters (MS)
Master’s degrees in finance generally range from 30 to 36 credit hours of coursework that take full-time students approximately two years to complete. Accelerated programs do exist, however, which may take as little as 18 months to finish.
As graduate programs, they no longer incorporate general liberal arts classes. In some cases, however, prospective students may need to have taken certain undergraduate prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. This ensures they have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in upper-level courses.
Finance curriculums vary by college and university, but students typically study topics in business communications, financial accounting, derivatives and risk management, financial modeling and firm valuation, and international financial management. Notably, these programs are usually designed to help those enrolled prepare for advanced positions in the field.
As with bachelor’s degree programs, students are often provided opportunities to select a concentration. This is especially true if you plan to earn a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance program.
Some of the most common specializations offered include:
- Real Estate Finance
- Computational Finance and Trading Systems
- Derivatives and Risk Management
- Finance and Economics
With superior finance knowledge and skills, graduates generally for careers as financial analysts, financial examiners, financial managers, and personal finance advisors. These are some of the most in-demand jobs available in the field, some of which offer extremely competitive pay.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
A PhD or doctorate in finance generally consists of between 60 and 120 credit hours that take full-time students four to seven years to complete. Programs at this level are often structured differently, with students having greater input in the coursework completed. Those enrolled may even work alongside professors to develop unique curriculums meant to prepare them for specific careers outcomes. Opportunities to select concentrations are also sometimes available.
Some common examples include:
- Forensic Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
- Audit Accounting
- Public Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
Required classes will vary, but students can usually expect to study advanced topics in accounting research, advanced statistics, microeconomic theory, and corporate governance. While the first few years of enrollment are typically dedicated to traditional classroom learning, students often spend their later years conducting independent study and research. This time must also be spent preparing dissertations, which must be presented before a board prior to graduation.
Relatively few finance professions require candidates to possess doctoral degrees. This is the terminal degree for the field, however, and can lead to some very lucrative employment opportunities. Not only can graduates qualify for careers in corporate management, but they are likely to find work in academia and research, as well.