What Career Options are Available for Finance Majors?
Oklahoma is far more than OK. Though a sparsely populated state, Oklahoma is home to a diverse economy. It has a long history in the mining and oil/gas extraction industry, but it is also moving into the 21st century with firms that are on the cutting edge of technology. Â Â Thus, students in any field are sure to find a robust job market for nearly any field they choose, including finance.
Leading the way in the Oklahoman economy is its mining, quarrying, and oil/gas extraction industry. This has been the state's strongest sector for much of its history. These days, these natural resources account for over $29 billion in annual revenues, placing it in the #2 position nationwide. Texas enjoys the top spot for natural resource extraction with $162 billion in annual revenues.
Coming in second is Oklahoma's real estate sector, which yields $19 billion in annual revenues, finding the #33 spot in the nation. Given the vast expanses of open land, real estate is surely plentiful and affordable. Thus, large manufacturing firms can use that land and secure the #3 spot in the Oklahoman economy. Manufacturing brings Oklahoma $19 billion each year and ranks the state 34th in the nation for such activities.
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Top Ranked Campus & Online Finance Programs in Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
Score: 82.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,595
- Out-of-State:$26,665
- Net Price: $22,601
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 28,308
- Undergrad Students: 21,282
- Graduate Students: 7,026
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Tulsa
Score: 82.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $48,602
- Out-of-State:$48,602
- Net Price: $28,087
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 3,769
- Undergrad Students: 2,647
- Graduate Students: 1,122
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Oklahoma State University
Score: 82.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,234
- Out-of-State:$25,754
- Net Price: $16,718
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 25,372
- Undergrad Students: 20,786
- Graduate Students: 4,586
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Oklahoma City University
Score: 77.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,586
- Out-of-State:$33,586
- Net Price: $25,235
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 2,550
- Undergrad Students: 1,361
- Graduate Students: 1,189
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Oklahoma Christian University
Score: 76.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,900
- Out-of-State:$25,900
- Net Price: $20,237
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 2,537
- Undergrad Students: 1,950
- Graduate Students: 587
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Southern Nazarene University
Score: 73.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,600
- Out-of-State:$29,600
- Net Price: $22,098
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 1,507
- Undergrad Students: 912
- Graduate Students: 595
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Oral Roberts University
Score: 72.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,100
- Out-of-State:$34,100
- Net Price: $22,360
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 5,051
- Undergrad Students: 4,289
- Graduate Students: 762
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
East Central University
Score: 69.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,032
- Out-of-State:$17,542
- Net Price: $10,221
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 3,376
- Undergrad Students: 2,730
- Graduate Students: 646
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Score: 69.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State:$16,410
- Net Price: $10,004
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 5,479
- Undergrad Students: 3,022
- Graduate Students: 2,457
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Northeastern State University
Score: 68.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,513
- Out-of-State:$16,633
- Net Price: $9,669
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 6,702
- Undergrad Students: 5,242
- Graduate Students: 1,460
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Cameron University
Score: 68.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,900
- Out-of-State:$16,320
- Net Price: $9,674
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 3,418
- Undergrad Students: 3,133
- Graduate Students: 285
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Central Oklahoma
Score: 66.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,522
- Out-of-State:$19,409
- Net Price: $18,055
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 12,250
- Undergrad Students: 10,739
- Graduate Students: 1,511
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rogers State University
Score: 62.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,392
- Out-of-State:$15,176
- Net Price: $13,446
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 3,155
- Undergrad Students: 3,046
- Graduate Students: 109
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Langston University
Score: 62.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,728
- Out-of-State:$14,255
- Net Price: $9,681
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 52%
- Graduation Rate: 23%
- Total Enrollment: 1,903
- Undergrad Students: 1,774
- Graduate Students: 129
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Score: 52.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,922
- Out-of-State:$8,673
- Net Price: $8,325
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: 22%
- Total Enrollment: 1,242
- Undergrad Students: 1,242
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $50,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Online Finance Education in Oklahoma
Students can find employment with nearly any finance degree. Associate finance degree students often focus on bookkeeping and accounting, but bachelor’s degree students can take their education even farther. In fact, most students should have a bachelor’s finance degree in mind as a minimum standard. Those working with an associate finance degree may consider finding an employer with a tuition reimbursement program to help finance their final two years of undergraduate work.
A master's finance degree is considered the gold standard for most in the finance industry. In particular, an MBA with a concentration in finance can facilitate one's rise to a C-suite position. Those in investment banking will also need an MBA if they want to rise past the analyst level. Accountants may want to complete either a Master of Accountancy or an MBA as part of their path to a career as a public accountant (CPA).
Online Associates (AS)
A two-year degree in finance is a terrific way to launch a career in business. Many two-year finance degree students become bookkeepers for small and large firms alike. They can even apply their finance knowledge to starting a small business of their own. After all, they will need a working knowledge of things like mortgage rates, bookkeeping, and how to assess the financial reality of their endeavor.
An associate finance degree is also a smart financial decision for those looking at a bachelor’s degree. Starting out with those two years in a community college can translate into massive savings in the long run. Community college credits are typically far more affordable than those from a four-year institution, a fact that brings the total cost of a degree down considerably. On top of this, students can often find an associate finance degree program at a local community college and not have to move away for their first two years of college.
Online Bachelors (BS or B.Fin)
Careers in finance often start with a bachelor’s finance degree. The field is complex and employers like to see candidates who have spent a full four years focused on the ins and outs of that industry. Many positions require a bachelor’s finance degree, such as those at most commercial banks, investment banks, and the finance departments of most Oklahoma businesses.
During a bachelor’s finance degree, students can take courses that help to inform their finance studies and help them to become well-rounded professionals. One hot topic for finance students is computer science, as well as statistics. Finance students who flesh out their undergraduate work with courses in those fields can work as data scientists or bring a broader view to their firm. They might also consider a minor concentration in management or economics. Any related studies will certainly impress a corporate recruiter and help in the job search process.
Online Masters (MS or M.Fin)
A finance professional with an online master's finance degree is sure to go far. Finance is such a technical and complex subject that a master's degree is virtually required in many fields. Investment banking, for instance, will hire analysts with a bachelor’s finance degree but then those workers must transition out of that position after two years and can only return once they complete an MBA.
In fact, most finance students should consider an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance. This is because the degree will give them added insights into how businesses operate. Of course, they could also opt for an MS in Finance, if not a dual-MBA. Many investment banking professionals combine a law degree with their business studies to broaden their horizons. After all, mergers and acquisitions are complex contractual arrangements that will require licensed attorneys in any case.
Online Doctorate (PhD)
While most businesses don't seek a candidate with a doctorate, finance may be an exception. That's because the field is increasingly reliant on complex algorithms and so needs skilled programmers who also understand financial markets. Further, the demands for intellectual capital are always increasing in this field, and a doctorate can give a professional the edge they need in such a highly competitive field.
Naturally, a PhD is also sought for roles in academia. Students who have a real passion for finance should consider a PhD so that they can pursue the research topics that mean the most to them. They can then land a tenure track professorship in an Oklahoma college or university. There are even positions for research faculty members. These are PhDs who spend their time researching topics for institutions and individuals who underwrite the work in the form of grants. Doctors of Finance may also consider working as business consultants.