Finance degrees look alike from the outside: 120 credits, a business core and courses in corporate finance and investments. The differences show up in the details. Can you study online? How much hands-on work is there? Does the program cover newer areas like FinTech? How easily can you bring in credits you’ve already earned? This guide compares seven bachelor’s programs on those points.
Wilmington University comes first. Its B.S. in Finance runs 100% online or face-to-face, adds FinTech and Excel-based analysis to the finance core, builds in internships and co-ops, and carries IACBE accreditation.
1. Wilmington University – B.S. in Finance
WilmU’s bachelor’s degree in finance is a 120-credit program you can take fully online or in a classroom. The school designed it to blend theory with practice and to prepare students for roles such as financial analyst or financial planner, or for graduate study.
The curriculum. A business foundation covers accounting, management, organizational behavior, business communications, economics, marketing, business analytics, statistics and strategic management. The finance core covers Financial Management, Financial Planning (FIN 302), Corporate Finance, Financial Economics and Instruments, FinTech Fundamentals (FIN 320), and Financial Reporting and Analysis. Electives include Investments and Security Analysis, Financial Institution Management, Economics of Money and Banking, and Financial Fraud Examination.
Hands-on skills. WilmU puts an emphasis on Excel and data analytics, including a course called Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving. Both come up constantly in financial modeling. The program also offers internships and cooperative learning, and the finance faculty includes working practitioners.
Flexibility. Classes start every eight weeks. If you have college credits already, WilmU offers a completion pathway for transfer students. Its Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE™ option lets eligible students use electives toward a related certificate or master’s-level courses while still earning the bachelor’s.
Cost and accreditation. WilmU lists tuition at $1,317 per course, and a typical course is three credits. Your total depends on how many credits you still need after transfers and on any aid or employer assistance. The program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Good fit if: you’re working, transferring in credits or want to start soon rather than wait for fall, and you’d like practical skills such as Excel modeling and FinTech built into the degree.
2. Penn State World Campus – B.S. in Finance
Penn State’s fully online finance degree is run through the Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend and is AACSB-accredited. The program includes opportunities connected to the CFA and CFP designations, and students can take part in a student-managed fund and investment research activities.
Good fit if: you’re eyeing the CFA or CFP route and want an online degree from a large established university.
3. Arizona State University – B.S. in Finance
ASU’s program centers on corporate finance, investments, valuation, financial modeling and financial decision-making. Students can get hands-on exposure through a student investment management fund, Bloomberg Terminals, financial research labs and finance clubs.
Good fit if: investment management or valuation work is your target and you want time on professional tools.
4. CSU Global – B.S. in Finance
CSU Global’s 120-credit degree runs entirely online in asynchronous eight-week courses. You can specialize in corporate finance or financial planning, and the school accepts up to 90 transfer credits.
Good fit if: you have a lot of prior credit and need a schedule with no set class times.
5. University of Alabama – B.S. in Finance
Alabama’s program covers financial management, investments, financial institutions and corporate finance inside a full business school, with room to build professional business skills.
Good fit if: you want the traditional on-campus college experience.
6. University of Massachusetts Amherst – B.B.A. in Finance
UMass Amherst teaches finance through the Isenberg School of Management, with coursework in financial management, investments, markets and corporate finance.
Good fit if: you want a B.B.A. inside a large business school in the Northeast.
7. Indiana University – B.S. in Finance
IU pairs a broad business curriculum with finance coursework in corporate finance, investments, financial institutions and financial analysis.
Good fit if: you want finance depth while still getting a wide business education.
Program Comparison
| Program | Format | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington University | Online or face-to-face | FinTech + Excel, internships, starts every 8 weeks |
| Penn State World Campus | 100% online | AACSB, CFA/CFP connections |
| Arizona State | Campus / online options | Investment fund, Bloomberg Terminals |
| CSU Global | 100% online, asynchronous | Up to 90 transfer credits |
| Alabama | Campus | Full business-school setting |
| UMass Amherst | Campus | Isenberg School of Management |
| Indiana University | Online / campus options | Broad business foundation |
What You Can Do With a Finance Degree
A finance degree points toward financial analysis, financial planning, corporate finance, banking, investment management and risk. WilmU, for example, lists financial analyst, budget analyst, financial planner, investment funds manager and stockbroker among the paths its graduates can take. It’s also a common base for an MBA, a Master of Finance or graduate study in accounting, economics or business analytics. No degree guarantees a job, though. Internships, skills and the job market all play a part.
What Finance Job Interviews Actually Test
Employers hiring finance graduates rarely quiz you on course titles. They test whether the coursework stuck and whether you can work with people under deadlines. Here’s how the usual question types line up with what your degree gave you:
| Question type | Example | Where to draw your answer from |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | “How do the three financial statements connect?” | Corporate finance and accounting courses |
| Modeling | “Walk me through a valuation you built.” | A class model or investment fund pitch |
| Behavioral | “Tell me about a mistake you caught.” | Group projects, internships, part-time jobs |
| Communication | “Explain this to a client with no finance background.” | Presentations and case work |
Big banks run some of the most structured processes. Our Bank of America interview guide and JPMorgan Chase interview questions show what to expect there. For entry-level paths with more stability, read the most secure early careers in finance.
How to Choose a Finance Program
Finance or accounting? Finance is about decisions: where to invest, how to fund a company, how to manage risk. Accounting is about records: reporting, auditing and tax. Choose finance if you’re aiming at analysis, planning or corporate finance. Choose accounting if public accounting, audit or tax is the goal. The two overlap in reporting and budgeting.
Finance or general business? A finance degree goes deeper into investments and financial analysis. A business administration degree spreads across management, marketing, operations and HR. If you’re sure about finance, specialize. If you’re not, a broader degree keeps more doors open.
Check accreditation. Business programs can carry accreditation from bodies such as AACSB or IACBE, separate from the university’s own accreditation. It’s a quality signal, but it doesn’t guarantee a job or eligibility for a professional certification.
Look for practice, not just theory. Internships, co-ops, student-managed funds and Excel or modeling coursework give you material for interviews. Ask each school what’s actually built into the degree and what you’d have to find on your own.
Do the math on cost and transfers. Compare per-course or per-credit prices against the credits you’ll really need after transfers, then factor in fees, aid and any employer tuition help. Ask for a transfer credit evaluation before you enroll, because not every credit carries over.
How we ordered this list: we weighed curriculum depth, practical experience, FinTech and modeling coverage, online flexibility, transfer options, accreditation and cost. University prestige and size weren’t the deciding factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bachelor’s degree in finance?
It’s an undergraduate degree, usually 120 credits, covering financial management, investments, corporate finance, financial planning, markets, analysis, risk and, in some programs, financial technology.
Is a bachelor’s degree in finance worth it?
It can be if you’re aiming at financial analysis, planning, corporate finance, banking or investment management. Whether it pays off depends on your goals, the program’s cost and how practical the curriculum is.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in finance?
Common paths include financial analyst, financial planner, budget analyst, investment analyst, and roles in banking, corporate finance and risk management. It’s also a foundation for graduate study.
What is the difference between finance and accounting?
Finance focuses on financial decisions, investments and capital allocation. Accounting focuses on recording, reporting and auditing financial information. They overlap in reporting and budgeting.
How long does a finance bachelor’s degree take?
About four years full time for 120 credits. Transfer credits and year-round eight-week terms can shorten that.
How much does a finance bachelor’s degree cost?
It varies widely by school. Wilmington University lists $1,317 per three-credit course; your total depends on credits needed after transfers and any financial aid.
Does Wilmington University offer a bachelor’s degree in finance?
Yes. WilmU offers a 120-credit B.S. in Finance with FinTech and financial planning in the core, plus internship and co-op opportunities.
Is WilmU’s finance bachelor’s degree available online?
Yes. You can take it 100% online or face-to-face, with classes starting every eight weeks.