What is a four year finance degree called?
Bachelor's in Finance
About the degree: Bachelor's degrees in finance are typically either Bachelor of Science in Finance or Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Some schools might also offer Bachelor of Art in Finance degrees, but this option is less common.
A BS degree will focus on practical skills and experience suitable for pursuing a career in industries such as: Finance.
| Degree | Abbreviation | Other abbreviations |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Education | BEd | B.Ed |
| Bachelor of Engineering | BEng | B.Eng. |
| Bachelor of Finance | BFin | |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | BFA | BFA, B.F.A. |
Work for a wide range of employers.
A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for nearly all finance professions. Whether you want to work on Wall Street, for the SEC, or a financial planning consultancy, a finance degree will give you the foundational knowledge you need to start your career.
Bachelor's degrees (undergraduate)
A bachelor's degree is a four-year program (or 120 course hours) offered by colleges and universities. Bachelor's degrees require you to take general education courses (such as math, English and science) and specialized courses related to your chosen major.
Whether you should choose to pursue a BA or a BS ultimately depends on your interests and career goals. A BA tends to offer broader, more customizable options, whereas a BS will typically involve more intensive, hands-on coursework. Both can set you up to land a job right out of college or go on to graduate school.
An MFin or MS in finance are strong options for students who prefer finance-specific courses or careers based on advanced mathematic principles. An MBA in finance provides students with more coursework on business and management principles for flexible careers within the business world.
According to Emolument, a salary comparison tool, right out of the gate Americans with a BS degree earn about 17% more on average than those with a BA degree. The technical skills often associated with a BS are in high demand. For the first 10 years of experience in the field, BS degrees have the edge.
Is Finance a Hard Major? Finance is a somewhat difficult major. The difficulty with finance comes down to its concepts that students would not have experienced before in their lives, the financial lingo in the field, and the concentration of math in the subject.
What is the highest level of finance degree?
A doctorate degree in finance takes an additional four to five years to complete, after obtaining your bachelor's and master's degrees. Most doctorate degree graduates in finance will continue on to make an annual salary of over $180,000 in the professional world.
Finance and accounting are two of the most popular business degrees in higher education today. While they can be similar, they also have many differences that may help you to decide which degree might be right for you.
The term "finance" refers to the management of money. When you major in finance, you'll generally explore topics like financial planning, banking, and investing, all while developing valuable job skills like problem-solving and communication.
- Investment banker.
- Hedge fund manager.
- Financial analyst.
- Information technology auditor.
- Financial software developer.
- Private equity associate.
- Chief compliance officer.
- Chief financial officer.
Is finance harder than accounting? Accounting relies on precise arithmetic principles, making it more complex, whereas finance requires a grasp of economics and accounting without as much mathematical detail.
One thing that's for sure is the high amount of math you will need to study. Finance is a mathematical discipline, so if you aren't as comfortable with math as with other ways of thinking, you may find it more challenging.
- Associate degree (undergraduate)
- Bachelor's degree (undergraduate)
- Master's degree (graduate)
- Doctoral degree (graduate)
For many college students, a four year program of study ends when they're awarded a bachelor's degree. This degree may be a BA, or Bachelor of Arts, or a BS, Bachelor of Science, depending on what subject the student majored in.
Bachelor's degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor's degrees are bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS).
Does a BA or BS pay more? The most high-paying fields are typically those that require a BS degree, such as STEM fields. All of the engineering and computer science majors on this list are BS programs and come with the highest pay post-graduation. There are always exceptions, however.
Do employers prefer BA or BS?
The answer usually depends on the position. Most employers view the degree types as equals. Computer science jobs that require more creativity, like user experience design, may best suit BA graduates. Employers hiring for jobs that require problem-solving and strategic thinking may prefer BS degree-holders.
Some might say a BA degree, with its array of disciplines, is harder. Having to navigate several unrelated subjects at once can be challenging for some students. But some would argue that a BS is tougher, as it involves a more thorough exploration of technical topics like molecular biology and organic chemistry.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.
- Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certification.
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
The top 5 highest paying jobs in finance are investment banking, hedge fund management, CFO roles, private equity, and actuarial positions. These careers typically offer substantial salaries and the potential for significant bonuses.
Depending on the job they accept, B.S. in finance graduates can earn competitive salaries of up to six figures. Graduates with finance degrees might work for employers like private businesses, financial institutions, accounting firms and financial agencies.
