OVERVIEW
A Technology-Forward Online Finance Degree
In the field of finance, possessing the latest knowledge and skills can make all the difference to your success. WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Finance degree is a technology-forward program designed to prepare you to become an in-demand professional. This program focuses on application of skills and knowledge in traditional finance practice as well as emerging trends and technologies.
Designed with input from industry experts, this fully online bachelor's degree program sets you up with a solid foundation to execute on the most sought-after skills:
- Financial modeling and data visualization
- Fintech
- Blockchain/cryptocurrency AI
- Automated trading
- Valuation and protection of digital/information assets
- Financial planning
- Portfolio management
- Technology and innovation
- Logistics and operations
When you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in finance, you’ll be prepared to work for a range of employers—from Wall Street banks to wealth management firms.
Now’s the time to expand your education—and your career opportunities—with a degree in finance.
Compare this degree: Also considering the B.S. Accounting degree program? This article can help you understand the differences.
62% of graduates finish similar programs within
24 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,755
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their finance degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Average salary increase
$12,214*
School of Business undergraduates report an average salary increase of $12,214 after completing their WGU degree.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Finance Courses
Program consists of 40 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
The WGU bachelor’s degree in finance is an affordable way to prepare for a career in financial planning, management consulting, wealth management, investment banking, and more. Learn how to analyze an organization’s financial data and make strategic recommendations that support its growth.
The curriculum in this program is industry-aligned around professional certifications, including the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Financial Planning and Analysis Professional to ensure that you gain the knowledge and skills today’s employers look for.
An unofficial estimated 14 courses are fulfilled by your associate degree leaving 27 courses.
This is an unofficial estimate of your transfer credits. You may receive more or less credits depending upon the specific courses taken to complete your degree and other credits you may have.
Below are the anticipated courses that will be fulfilled based on your indication that you have earned an associate’s degree. During the enrollment process this information will be verified.
40 Courses
Program consists of 40 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
At the end of your program, you’ll complete a capstone project that that allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world situation, performing a financial analysis of an enterprise with software that simulate the experience of a finance professional.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Management: Successfully developed a comprehensive strategic plan for an organization or process, aligning business objectives with actionable strategies for growth and success.
- Accounting: Skillfully communicated the economic status and trajectory of the organization to key stakeholders, providing accurate and insightful information for decision-making.
- Finance: Expertly identified relevant financial tools and techniques, enabling well-informed financial decisions.
- Spreadsheets: Analyzed data from various connected sources and presented the current state of business affairs using spreadsheet software.
- Financial Analysis: Conducted thorough analysis of a company's financial information to produce accurate and reliable forecasts.
- Problem Solving: Proficiently analyzed data to identify the nature and extent of a problem.
“I got this job because I was a graduate with my bachelor's in accounting from WGU. My new degree got me my new job.”
—Raymond Baker
B.S. Accounting
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
TRANSFER CREDITS
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Why WGU?
Earning Potential
A degree can dramatically impact your earning potential. According to a 2023 Harris Poll, two years after graduation, WGU students report earning $22,200 more per year.
On Your Schedule
Competency-based education means you can move as quickly through your degree as you can master the material. You don't have to log in to classes at a certain time—you are truly in the driver's seat of your education
Ready For Your Next Step
Graduates of this program are ready to progress toward the Certified Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional and Certified Management Accountant certifications. This program meets the requirements for both of these financial exams.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Finance Degree Online?
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A Finance Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
You Don’t Have to Put Your Life on Pause to Earn Your Degree.
WGU was built for the busy.
Study whenever and wherever works best for you while managing your existing job and family responsibilities. Your effort, not class time, determines the pace of your progress. We call it competency-based education, and it works like this:
- Review your course material.
- When you feel like you know the material, take an online assessment.
- Pass and move on to the next unit.
There’s no waiting for a new semester to start. At WGU, you control where, when, and how fast you earn your online finance degree.
“Now that I'm doing full-cycle accounting, I understand the scope. I understand where you start and where you're supposed to wind up. It just makes a lot more sense. Earning my degree has really helped me fill in the blanks and take my job satisfaction to a higher level because I actually understand why I'm doing what I'm doing now.”
—Kate Leger
B.S. Accounting
CAREER OUTLOOK
Your Finance Degree Can Add Up to a Lucrative Career
Turn your knack for numbers into a rewarding finance career with WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Finance degree. Financial professionals play a crucial role in ensuring a company or client’s financial stability. Earning your B.S. in finance degree ensures that your skills will be highly sought after, because every organization—from healthcare to technology—needs people to track its revenue and expenses. This is a rewarding career field that comes with great job security and high salaries, even for entry-level positions. This online finance degree at WGU combines traditional practice and emerging trends to prepare you for a variety of career opportunities in the finance realm.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
9%
Employment of finance professionals is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031. The national average salary for a financial professional is $82,000 as of 2022.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A Bachelor’s in Finance Paves the Way for Career Success
Our alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers:
Job Titles
- Investment analyst
- Financial director
- Vice president of finance and operations
- Underwriter
- Chief financial officer
- Actuary
Diverse Industries
- Financing
- Investment Banking
- Real Estate Investment & Management
- Venture Capital/Startups
- Insurance; Lending & Credit
Major Employers
- Bank of America
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Goldman Sachs
- Wyndham
- Northrop Grumman
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to undergraduate School of Business programs must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following options below:
- Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Transfer Credits
FAQs about a Finance Bachelor’s Degree
- General Finance Program Questions
- Online Finance Program Questions
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?