Finance

The study of finance, sometimes called the "science of money management," is a distinct field of study similar to economics and accounting. Outgoing, inquisitive majors will learn the theory and practice of financial economics, corporate finance, fund management, asset allocation, and more. Whether managing finances in the public sector, or on a personal level, proper financial planning can have a significant impact on a global scale.

Employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. A growing range of financial products and the need for in-depth knowledge of geographic regions are expected to lead to strong employment growth.

The median annual wage for financial analysts was $84,300 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $165,580.

In May 2017, the median annual wages for financial analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

1. Demonstrate understanding of key issues and the acquisition of key skills related to:

   • accounting
   • business ethics
   • finance
   • management
   • marketing
   • quantitative business tools
   • the economic environment of business
   • the international environment of business
   • the legal environment of business
   • the social environment of business

2. Integrate understandings of and skills related to functional business areas and relevant environmental contexts in the course of strategic business decision making.