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John Chambers College of Business and Economics

Finance, BSBA

Finance is the study of the creation and management of wealth. Finance majors learn how to evaluate and control assets and risks to maximize the value to owners or beneficiaries.

This involves such day-to-day activities as collecting/paying money and interacting with banks and other financial institutions. Also involved is long-range planning about what building and equipment to buy, what stocks to purchase or issue, managing dividends and interest, using insurance to protect assets and developing new financial instruments or services.

With a Finance degree, you'll be prepared for careers on either side of the desk: as a seller or buyer of investments; as a credit seeker or credit grantor; and as a purveyor or recipient of insurance services.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

We stress hands-on learning. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Financial Planner, Certified Valuation Analyst and Certified Financial Analyst exams.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Banking

    Preparation for successful careers in the banking industry. Graduates will be familiar with the composition of this sector, its regulatory environment and factors influencing commercial bank performance.

  • Corporate Finance and Valuation

    Meets professional standards required for the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) certification.

  • Energy Finance

    Preparation for jobs in financial engineering, funding, commodity trading, project proforma modeling, deal structuring and risk analysis.

  • Financial Planning

    Meets educational requirements for the Certified Financial Planning designation (CFP).

  • General Finance

    Available to Finance majors who do not meet the requirements of other Areas of Emphasis.

  • Investments

    Preparation for asset management jobs, such as research analysts, traders, financial analysts, investment bankers portfolio managers and chief investment officers.

  • Risk Management and Insurance

    Preparation for practices and procedures in the business of corporate risk management and insurance industry operations.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Small business plan competitions.
  • Access to the Bloomberg lab, where an 8-hour certification can be completed at no extra cost.
  • One of the only in-class, undergraduate financial planning programs in the U.S. approved by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
  • "Concept through operation" business services available through Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
  • Finance faculty have received numerous teaching awards and are widely published in leading finance journals. They have also written textbooks, teaching materials and software packages.
  • Professional and social programs, guest speakers and networking opportunities available through the Finance Club.
  • Chambers College awards over 100 merit and need-based scholarships annually, in addition to WVU scholarships.
  • Reynold's Hall, home of the Chambers College, opened in 2022.
  • Chambers College is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International — the highest level of business school accreditation in the world.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • Roll Capital Markets Center, a financial trading lab – equipped with Bloomberg terminals and a stock ticker – where you can examine real-time data to prepare for jobs in the financial industry.
  • Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), an actively managed student investment portfolio.
  • 3-Course Investing Sequence, which culminates in you and your team managing a $100,000 real money portfolio.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

You're encouraged to participate in an internship after your first semester in the Chambers College. Internships are an extension of the learning experience and provide insights into the actual operations of an organization. Our Center for Career Development uses its extensive network of firms and organizations to help you find the right internship.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

Median Salary: $84,940

Possible job titles include: Analyst, Budget Analyst, Budget Officer, Management and Budget Analyst.

Explore Career

Loan Officers

Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, and loan underwriters.

Median Salary: $69,990

Possible job titles include: Branch Manager, Loan Officer, Mortgage Loan Officer, Relationship Manager.

Explore Career

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

Median Salary: $135,160

Possible job titles include: District Sales Manager, Sales Director, Sales Manager, Sales Vice President.

Explore Career

Financial Managers, Branch or Department

Direct and coordinate financial activities of workers in a branch, office, or department of an establishment, such as branch bank, brokerage firm, risk and insurance department, or credit department.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $156,100

Possible job titles include: Banking Center Manager (BCM), Branch Manager, Credit Administration Manager, Vice President.

Explore Career

Credit Analysts

Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making.

Median Salary: $79,420

Possible job titles include: Analyst, Credit Analyst, Credit Manager, Underwriter.

Explore Career

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $99,580

Possible job titles include: Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Advisor, Financial Planner, Portfolio Manager.

Explore Career

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $106,090

Possible job titles include: Risk Manager, Analyst, Equity Research Analyst, Securities Analyst.

Explore Career

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $76,900

Possible job titles include: Financial Consultant, Financial Specialist, Personal Banker, Relationship Manager.

Explore Career

Career Paths

Finance graduates can sit for the following exams:

  • Certified Financial Planner
  • Certified Valuation Analyst
  • Certified Financial Analyst

Where Graduates are Working

  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
  • First United
  • WesBanco
  • AXA Advisors
  • Aldi
  • Viatris
  • State Street

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Finance major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Finance at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Finance major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

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