Undergraduate Overview
Finance
Finance is central to many of the critical activities that make up our free market economy. The Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance provides students with an understanding of the financial and legal dimensions of business including a strong foundation in corporate finance, investments, money and capital markets, and personal financial planning. The major is a good fit for individuals that enjoy working with numbers, have an aptitude for technology, and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Emphases available in the Finance major include financial planning, insurance, investment, real estate, and honors degree options. The program is unique in offering both Bloomberg Certification and opportunities to participate in the Applied Investment Program.
The UW-Whitewater BBA in Finance has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. This status is granted to institutions whose degree programs incorporate at least 70 percent of the Level 1 CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which positions students well to sit for the CFA exams. In addition, the BBA in Finance with Financial Planning emphasis has been nationally recognized as a degree program allowing expedited testing for the Certified Financial Planning (CFP ®) designation.
In addition to the on-campus program, the Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance is available online. No matter how you complete your degree, the curriculum and learning outcomes will be the same. For more information on completing your degree online, visit UW-Whitewater Online.
The UW-Whitewater Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance requires a minimum of 120 credits, including:
- General education requirements
- Business requirements
- Major requirements
- Electives (to bring the total to at least 120 credits)
Information on the requirements specific to the finance major, including emphases options, can be found in the Course Catalog. Major video guides and course planning sheets are also available in Four Year Planning Resources.
Individuals wishing to deepen their knowledge of finance with post-baccalaureate studies can complete an advanced degree in finance online through the Master of Science in Finance, or online or on campus through the Master of Business Administration with Finance emphasis.
Two finance minors are also available for non-business students. Requirements can be found in the Course Catalog, or in the College of Business and Economics listing of minors and certificates.
Job Outlook
National employment growth for financial analysts is expected to be 6 percent1 from 2018 to 2028 and 7 percent2 for personal financial advisors. Projected growth in Wisconsin from 2016 to 2026 is expected to be 15 percent3 for financial analysts is and 23 percent4 for personal financial advisors.
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in finance or related field for entry-level positions. Research indicates finance majors receive a 38 percent wage premium from a graduate degree, which is the largest wage premium of all business majors.5 UW-Whitewater offers a two-year, 100 percent online Master of Science in Finance program for individuals interested in enhancing their undergraduate degree with a specialized master's degree.
Financial Analyst
National Median Pay (2018)1
$85,660 per year
Number of Jobs in the United States (2018)1
329.500
Number of Jobs in Wisconsin (2016)3
4,650
Annual Projected Job Openings in Wisconsin3
490
Personal Financial Advisor
National Median Pay (2019)2
$87,850 per year
Number of Jobs in the United States (2018)2
271,700
Number of Jobs in Wisconsin (2016)4
5,370
Annual Projected Job Openings in Wisconsin4
560
UW-Whitewater Placement Information
Placement Rate6
97%
UW-Whitewater Salary Estimate (6 months or less after graduation)6
$44,918
Highlighted Employers7
Edward Jones, Epic, FIS, Johnson Controls, Kerry Ingredients, Northwestern Mutual, TDS Telecom, U.S. Bank
Common Titles7
Alternative Investments Associate, Financial Advisor, Mutual Fund Administrator, Securities Specialist, Staff Accountant
1 Bureau of Labor and Statistics - Occupational Handbook: Financial Analysts
2 Bureau of Labor and Statistics - Occupational Handbook: Personal Financial Advisors
3 CareerOneStop (U.S. Dept. of Labor) - Occupational Profiles: Financial Analysts
4 CareerOneStop (U.S. Dept. of Labor) - Occupation Profiles: Personal Financial Advisors
5 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 (p. 60)
6 Based on survey responses for the 2019-20 UW-Whitewater graduating class
7 Based on survey responses for 2017 - 2019 UW-Whitewater graduates