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Finance Programs and Careers in Arizona

This guide provides information on finance degrees and careers in finance in the state of Arizona to help students meet their academic and professional goals. Several Arizona universities offer a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the possibility of adding a finance concentration, and other schools offer bachelor’s in finance programs. For working professionals or students looking for more flexible options, some universities have online programs that can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Graduates may find career opportunities with various major companies located in Arizona. Continue reading for details on specific degrees in finance, as well as potential post-graduation finance career opportunities and salary information.

Quick Facts

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with finance degree programs.

Table of Contents

Arizona Finance Program Comparison

We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Arizona from not-for-profit schools that offer programs with a concentration in finance. In addition to allowing you to compare the business school’s accreditation, finance degrees that appear in bold are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programs, those that have been recognized for curricula aligned to preparing for the CFA Exam.

School NameAccreditationFinance Degree(s)Acceptance Rate6Grad Rate1Online Options?Median Debt7Net Price1
Arizona State University-TempeAACSBCertificate-Global Finance;
Certificate-Global Trade & Finance;
BS-Actuarial Science;
BS-Finance;
BA-Business: Financial Planning;
Minor-Real Estate;
MS-Actuarial Science;
MS-Finance;
MRED-Master of Real Estate Development		31.1%63%Yes$14,000$14,081
Northern Arizona UniversityAACSBBSBA: Finance92.2%57%—$12,500$14,236
Ottawa University—BS-Business Administration: Actuarial Science;
BSBA: Finance;
BA-Economics: Finance;
BS-Finance;
BA-Strategic Business Administration: Actuarial Science;
BA-Strategic Business Administration: Finance;
MBA-Finance		N.Av.N.Av.YesN.Av.N.Av.
University of ArizonaAACSBCertificate-Finance;
BSBA: Finance;
Minor-Finance;
MS-Finance;
MBA-Finance		20.8%65%Yes$13,000$16,580

  • — indicates none.
  • N.Av. indicates no data available.

Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Arizona

Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019

  • Arizona State University (#38)

Georgetown CEW’s ROI Ranking by Long-Term Net Present Value 2019

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) has compared 4,500 colleges and universities on graduates’ return on investment (ROI). We use their net present value (NPV) ranking, which is the current dollar value of earning a four-year degree from the school over a 40-year horizon.

  • Arizona State University-Tempe (#473; $1,028,000)
  • University of Arizona (#572; $996,000)
  • Northern Arizona University (#1,353; $842,000)7

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020

  • Arizona State University

US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021

  • Arizona State University (#27 tie)

      • US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021

      • Arizona State University (#31 tie)

      Select Schools in Arizona with Finance Degrees

      Traditional Undergraduate Programs

      Arizona State University

      Arizona State University’s (ASU) W.P. Carey School of Business in Tempe offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance for students to gain the professional skills necessary for a successful career in finance. The customizable program is taught by highly experienced faculty who spearhead supplementary initiatives including the Investment Banking Industry Scholars (IBIS) program for Wall Street preparation, Student Investment Management Fund (SIM Fund) for portfolio management, and the ASU-Intel Honors Collaborative Thesis program to provide students with experience in active business cases with Intel employees. Course titles include Financial Markets and Institutions, Advanced Managerial Finance, and Business Statistics. The program can be fast-tracked for completion in only three years. All business courses require a minimum grade of “C.”

      Northern Arizona University

      Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) AACSB-accredited W. A. Franke College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Finance for students seeking specialized financial knowledge. The program is located in Flagstaff and prepares students for successful careers in corporate finance, investments, and international finance. In addition to studying the theory of financial analysis, students learn the fundamentals of spreadsheet modeling and data acquisition. Coursework provides students with an understanding of the practical applications of financial analysis, risk assessment, and forecasting income statements. Courses include Strategic Management; Principles of Finance; and Financial Analysis and Working Capital Management. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0.

      Traditional Master’s Programs

      Arizona State University

      At the AACSB-accredited W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University (ASU), students can complete a Master of Science in Finance (MS-FIN) in nine months. The STEM-designated curriculum focuses on financial principles and asset and portfolio management. Students gain foundations for careers in the corporate finance industry such as financial planning, investment banking, and risk management. The 12-course program includes coursework such as Investment Strategies, Derivatives, and Advanced Corporate Finance. ASU is America’s largest public university, but the W.P. Carey School of Business prioritizes small class sizes, team-based collaboration, and customized learning. To support career development, students can access the graduate career center to build their resumes, search for industry positions, and access a large alumni network.

      Ottowa University

      At the Angell Snyder School of Business of Ottawa University (OU) in Phoenix students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance. A global perspective on business and communication skills is central to course objectives with an emphasis on leadership and professional ethics. The flexible 36-credit hour program consists of three modules: behavioral courses, core courses, and capstone courses. The program is available both in-person and online and includes course titles such as Value Systems and Professional Ethics, Managerial Economics, and Graduate Seminar: Business Policies and Strategy. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree in business may have to take prerequisite courses in accounting and economics.

      University of Arizona

      The University of Arizona’s (UA) AACSB-accredited Eller College of Management offers a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) that gives students broad exposure to different areas of the finance industry. This program is designed for those just completing their bachelor’s degree, so previous work experience is not required. Students can complete their MSF in an intensive 12 months, including a summer project, or in 16 months over the course of three semesters. Classwork focuses on financial principles as well as advanced analytical skills. By customizing electives and choosing a master’s project, students can follow one of two tracks of study: Investment Management or Corporate Finance. The University of Arizona also offers exam preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

      Online and Hybrid Programs

      Arizona State University

      Arizona State University’s (ASU) W.P. Carey School of Business in Tempe runs a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Financial Planning that can be completed online. The program is designed for students seeking careers in estate planning, taxes, portfolio management, insurance, and finance. The program fulfills the education requirements of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam and prepares students through hands-on projects and tasks that are required of advisors and planners. The curriculum covers managerial skills, fundamentals of finance, and planning strategies. Students in the program can gain real-world experience through internships working with financial advisors and joining the Financial Management Association.

      Arizona State University

      At Arizona State University (ASU) students can earn an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance that follows the same comprehensive business curriculum as the on-campus MBA. MBA students take one course at a time in an immersive five-week format. Online MBA students work with one another remotely to collaborate on projects concerning real-world business practices. The program starts in January and August and students can combine the MBA with related master’s programs to earn a dual master’s. The coursework and curriculum give students the financial foundation to work as financial managers, business executives, and marketing managers.

      University of Arizona

      The University of Arizona’s (UA) AACSB-accredited Eller College of Management offers an online MBA program with a concentration in finance for financial professionals looking for an advanced degree in the field. Students can start the program at six different points throughout the year and earn their degree in 14 months to four years, depending on whether they study part-time or full-time. The rigorous 45-credit hour program is geared toward working professionals with at least two to three years of experience who are looking to move their careers forward. A typical semester includes two sessions; each session consists of two core courses and a minimum of two electives. An optional global experience is available for students who wish to gain international experience in business. An online undergraduate business program is also available.

      Arizona Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

      Most finance jobs in Arizona are located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa. Banking companies such as Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase & Co. are located in this urban center. National insurance companies like State Farm Insurance and USAA also have large centers in Arizona, offering positions such as financial analysts and risk managers. Other financial service organizations, such as Northern Trust and Charles Schwab, provide opportunities in the wealth management sector for graduates with advanced degrees in finance.

      According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business and financial operations occupations in Arizona, on average, pay less than the national average of $78,130, at $69,560 per year. 8 However, financial analysts and specialists in Arizona make a mean annual wage of $78,890, higher than the national average of $94,160.8,9 However, financial analyst positions in the state are expected to decline by 2.8% through 2028, compared to a national projected growth rate of 6.2% during the same time period.10 Financial manager positions are expected to grow in Arizona by 28.8%, much higher than the projected national average growth rate of 16%.10 Personal financial advisors in Arizona earn an average annual wage of $89,830, significantly less than the average national wage of $119,290.11 However, positions in the personal financial advising field are expected to grow 13.2% in Arizona through 2028, faster than the projected national rate of 7%.10 The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area has one of the highest employment levels of financial examiners and loan officers in the country, making it a hub for Arizona’s finance industry.12,13 In fact, loan officer and financial examiner positions are expected to grow 29.1% and 23.8% respectively through 2028, significantly higher than the national projected rates of 7.7% and 7.1%.10

      Arizona Finance Salary Information

      OccupationNumber Employed8Average Salary8
      Business and Financial Operations Occupations166,190$69,560
      Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists7,550$78,890
      Financial Examiners1,890$59,860
      Financial Managers12,000$123,220
      Loan Officers8,980$60,680
      Personal Financial Advisors4,050$89,830

      Finance Associations in Arizona

      References:
      1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
      2. Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
      3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
      4. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
      5. US News & World Report Best Graduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/finance-rankings
      6. US News & World Report Best Business Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools
      7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/
      8. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Arizona: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_az.htm
      9. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes132098.htm
      10. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
      11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
      12. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Examiners: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132061.htm
      13. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Loan Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132072.htm