Finance Programs and Careers in Florida
This guide provides information for prospective finance students in Florida to find the best program for their educational and professional goals. Finance schools in Florida offer a variety of degree options and specialties, from four-year bachelor’s programs to master’s in finance programs that can be completed in as few as three semesters. Finance schools in Florida are often clustered in and around major cities, such as Miami, allowing students to take full advantage of internship and employment opportunities close by. Continue reading to learn more about the options for earning a degree in finance in Florida, as well as employment and salary information in the state.
Quick Facts
- There are 34 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in Florida.1
- 3 schools offer a certificate in finance.1
- 4 schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.1
- 28 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.1
- 15 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.1
- 2 schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.2
- 4 schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.3
- 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.4
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021.5
For not-for-profit colleges and universities with finance degree programs.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of Finance Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Florida
- Select Schools in Florida with Finance Degrees
- Florida Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
- Finance Associations in Florida
Florida Finance Program Comparison
We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Florida 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 Name | Accreditation | Finance Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ave Maria University | — | BA-Finance | N.Av. | 58% | Yes | $13,157 | $15,939 |
| Barry University | AACSB | BSBA-Finance | N.Av. | 35% | — | $19,500 | $18,721 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | ACBSP | BS-Finance | N.Av. | 33% | — | $18,500 | $16,515 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | ACBSP | BS-Business Administration: Finance; MS-Aviation Finance N.Av. | 62% | — | $12,250 | $36,063 | |
| Flagler College | — | Bachelor of Finance; Certificate-Finance Essentials; Minor-Finance | N.Av. | 53% | — | $15,675 | $23,751 |
| Florida Atlantic University | AACSB | BBA-Finance; BS-Finance; Minor-Finance; Minor-Real Estate; MS-Finance; MBA-Finance | N.Av. | 50% | Yes | $12,000 | $9,861 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | AACSB | BS-Finance: Financial Analysis and Management; BS-Finance: Financial Services; BS-Finance: Real Estate Finance; Minor-Real Estate | N.Av. | 50% | — | $12,000 | $11,621 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | IACBE | BS-Finance; MS-Accounting and Financial Forensics; MBA-Finance | N.Av. | N.Av. | Yes | $10,500 | N.Av. |
| Florida International University | AACSB | BBA-Finance; MS-Finance: Financial Management; MS-Finance: Investments; MS-Finance: International Banking and Financial Institutions; MBA-Finance | 63% | 54.4% | Yes | $13,750 | $9,888 |
| Florida Memorial University | ACBSP | BS-Finance | 36% | N.Av. | — | $15,500 | $17,247 |
| Florida Southern College | AACSB | BS-Economics and Finance | 100% | 68% | — | $15,921 | $25,325 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | ACBSP | BS-Financial Services | 37% | N.Av. | Yes | $7,000 | $3,017 |
| Florida State University | AACSB | BS-Finance; BS-Real Estate/MS-Real Estate Comb.; MS-Finance; MS-Finance: Real Estate; MS-Financial Mathematics: Quantitative Finance; MS-Financial Mathematics: Actuarial Science; MBA-Finance | 73.7% | 83% | — | $18,053 | $12,568 |
| Hodges University | IACBE | BS-Finance | N.Av. | 26% | Yes | $13,875 | $21,577 |
| Jacksonville University | AACSB | BBA-Finance; Minor-Finance; MBA-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 52% | — | $13,000 | $24,020 |
| Johnson & Wales University | — | BS-Finance; MBA-Finance | N.Av. | 52% | Yes | $17,836 | $24,082 |
| Miami Dade College | — | AS-Financial Services: Banking; AS-Financial Services: Mortgage Finance; AS-Financial Services: Wealth Management; Certificate-Mortgage Finance | N.Av. | 33% | Yes | $6,500 | $4,947 |
| New College | — | BA: Economics and Finance | N.Av. | 64% | — | N.Av. | $11,028 |
| Nova Southeastern University | IACBE | Certificate-Finance; Minor-Finance; MBA-Finance | N.Av. | 58% | Yes | $18,750 | $24,776 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | IACBE | BS-Finance; MBA-Finance | N.Av. | 57% | — | $14,500 | $25,908 |
| Pasco-Hernando State College | — | AS-Financial Services; Certificate-Financial Para-planner; Certificate-Mortgage Finance Management; Certificate-Mortgage Finance Operations; Certificate-Mortgage Finance Specialist | N.Av. | 34% | — | $5,500 | $5,072 |
| Rollins College | AACSB | MBA-Finance | N.Av. | 74% | — | $21,310 | $35,661 |
| Southeastern University | ACBSP | BS-Finance | N.Av. | 45% | — | $11,000 | $25,025 |
| St. Petersburg College | — | AA-Finance | N.Av. | 33% | — | $9,500 | $3,315 |
| St. Thomas University | — | MBA-Financial Management | N.Av. | 43% | — | $14,750 | $20,172 |
| Stetson University | AACSB | BBA-Finance: Corporate Finance; BBA-Finance: Investments; BBA-Finance: Certified Financial Planning; Minor-Finance | N.Av. | 65% | — | $19,500 | $23,761 |
| University of Central Florida | AACSB | BSBA-Finance; Certificate-Financial Mathematics | 45.5% | 72% | — | $14,500 | $11,617 |
| University of Florida | AACSB | BSBA-Finance; Minor-Real Estate; MS-Finance; MBA-Finance | 17.3% | 88% | Yes | $15,000 | $10,457 |
| University of Miami | AACSB | BBA-Finance; BBA-Real Estate; BS-Accounting and Finance; BSBA-Finance; BSBA-Real Estate; Minor-Finance; Minor-Financial Technology; Minor-Real Estate; MS-Finance; MBA-Corporate Finance; MBA-Financial Decision Making | 51.1% | 83% | Yes | $17,500 | $33,102 |
| University of North Florida | AACSB | BBA-Finance; BBA-Financial Planning; Minor-Finance; MBA-Finance | N.Av. | 67% | — | $12,186 | $9,857 |
| University of South Florida | AACSB | BS-Finance: Corporate Finance; BS-Finance: Investment Analysis; BS-Finance: Real Estate; MS-Finance | 40.2% | 75% | — | $15,865 | $9,787 |
| University of Tampa | AACSB | BS-Finance; BS-Financial Enterprise Systems; Minor-Finance; MS-Finance; MBA-Finance | 36% | 58% | — | $16,000 | $31,278 |
| University of West Florida | AACSB | BSBA-Finance; Minor-Finance; Certificate-Financial Institutions I & II | N.Av. | 46% | Yes | $12,500 | $7,515 |
| Webber International University | — | Associate-Finance; Bachelor-Finance | N.Av. | 38% | Yes | $9,500 | $25,486 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Florida
Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019
- Rollins College (#51)
- University of Miami (#55)
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.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach (#102; $1,327,000)
- University of Miami (#180; $1,220,000)
- University of Florida (#198; $1,202,000)
- Florida Institute of Technology (#301; $1,114,000)
- Jacksonville University (#514; $1,017,000)
- St. Thomas University (#561; $1,000,000)
- Florida International University (#585; $993,000)
- Florida State University (#634; $981,000)
- University of Tampa (#720; $958,000)
- University of Central Florida (#724; $957,000)7
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020
- Florida State University
- Rollins College
- Stetson University
- University of Florida
US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021
- University of Florida (#25 tie)
Select Schools in Florida with Finance Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Florida Memorial University
Florida Memorial University (FMU) is home to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance that offers students specific preparation for careers in financial management. In addition to finance courses, students take courses in accounting and business for a broad but well-rounded background in this competitive field. In addition to courses such as Money and Capital Markets, Operations Research, and Corporate Finance, students are expected to take multiple semesters of a foreign language and complete a senior project in business. Throughout the course of study, students will be exposed to current technologies and practices within the field as well as the historical foundations of financial theory. The FMU School of Business, in which the BS in Finance is housed, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and its faculty are regularly recognized for their focus on experiential learning and outreach programs.
Southeastern University
At Southeastern University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance that covers fundamental theories and skills in the areas of corporate finance, investments, financial markets, insurance, and real estate. An emphasis is placed on ethical decision-making in all areas of financial practice. Students are given access to real-world, hands-on learning opportunities through internships with the university’s business partners, which include brokerages, insurance companies, financial institutions, and other corporate entities. In addition to 19 credit hours in financial topics, students take 24 hours of business core courses. Example courses include Principles of Financial Accounting, Advanced Corporate Finance, and Managerial Cost Accounting. The school also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program which may be of interest to students considering graduate study.
Traditional Finance Programs
Florida State University
Florida State University’s (FSU) College of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) which can be completed in three semesters. This finance school utilizes a hands-on approach to give students real-world experience that supports securing employment upon graduation. Students are given an opportunity to manage the Student Investment Fund during courses in both the fall and spring semesters. FSU also features a state-of-the-art practice trading room, designed to give students access to technology replicating Wall Street investment firms. New students are admitted every summer and each incoming class is limited to approximately 30 students. Courses include Applied Econometrics in Finance, Derivatives and Risk Management, and Multinational Financial Management. The master’s in finance at FSU also offers a Professional Development Series designed to help students with networking, interview skills, and business ethics. GMAT or GRE scores are required for applicants, with GMAT being preferred. Applications are accepted until March 1 to begin the following June.
University of Miami
The University of Miami’s Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree is a 10-month program designed to prepare students for successful careers in the financial sector. This finance master’s has three specialized tracks: a Corporate track, an Investments track, and an International track. Courses include Financial Investment; Quantitative Finance and Market Microstructure; and Global Economics. Applications are accepted in December, January, and March. GMAT scores are required to apply and GRE scores are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Substantial business experience is not required, as all incoming students participate in a mandatory boot camp prior to the first semester. Admitted students may participate in numerous clubs and organizations, including a finance and investment banking club focused on gaining experience in the finance and technology industries.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida’s (USF) Muma College of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree which allows students to pursue work in corporate finance, investments, and other financial services. Students can enroll either part-time or full-time and complete the finance degree in as few as three semesters. The program at USF is designed to help students enter the financial sector, as well as prepare them for certification exams such as CFA, CFP, and CFM. Coursework offered at USF Muma includes Advanced Financial Management, Investments, and Financial Policy. The Muma College of Business also gives students career development support through the Collier Student Success Center. Career planning, corporate networking events, and workshops are all designed specifically for business and finance students. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and GMAT or GRE scores are required for admittance. Students may qualify for a limited number of graduate assistantships, which offer a partial tuition waiver.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Florida Institute of Technology
The Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) offers a fully online Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance. This MBA program provides foundation courses in business as well as specialized coursework in financial theory and practice. Courses include Financial Management, Managerial Economics, and Finance Markets and Institutions. The 36-credit finance master’s at FIT concludes with a capstone class entitled Strategic Management, which must be taken during the final semester and utilizes case studies as tools to simulate top managerial decision-making experience. Scores on the GRE/GMAT are not required for entry to the program and applicants are accepted year-round. This fully online program offers 24/7 technical support. FIT’s Career Management Services also help students accomplish their professional goals with job networking, resume reviews, and professional development workshops. While the program is fully online, students are invited to attend a commencement ceremony in Melbourne, Florida upon graduation.
University of Miami
The University of Miami offers a fully online Master of Science in Finance (MSF). This 32-credit finance degree can be completed in 16 months and includes the option to earn a Certificate in Corporate Finance and a Certificate in Financial Decision Making. Courses include Applied Corporate Finance, Quantitative Finance and Microstructure, and Advanced Portfolio Management and Alternative Investments. Students can start the program in January, May, or September. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university and GMAT scores are required to apply. Alumni have gone on to work at companies such as JPMorgan, Citibank, and United Airlines. Online students may also participate in optional on-campus events. For example, an optional on-campus orientation gives students opportunities to meet their professors and classmates in-person before the program begins. On-campus networking events are also available for online students.
Florida Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
Between the large cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Orlando and the many smaller cities in Florida, there is a healthy market for graduates of finance programs. Notable banks headquartered in Florida include BankUnited, which is based in Miami Lakes, and TIAA Bank, which is located in Jacksonville. BBX Capital Corporation is based in Fort Lauderdale and is a venture capital firm focused on middle-market companies. Real estate investment and resort management is also a profitable sector within Florida, requiring many financial-minded employees. Large corporations doing business in Florida include Raymond James Financial, Fidelity National Information Services, Wellcare Health Plans, and Health Management Associates.
The financial sector in Florida has been steadily growing, creating a stable job outlook for finance graduates. Financial analyst employment opportunities in Florida are expected to increase by 13.8% between 2018 and 2028, as compared to the national projection of 6.2%.8 Personal financial advisors in Florida are also expected to see strong growth, at 17.8% over the same period.8 Financial advisors in Florida make an average salary of $113,670 per year, which is in line with the national average of $119,290.9 The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach ranks within the 10 metro areas with the highest employment levels for personal financial advisors in the US.9 The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro corridor has the fifth-highest average salary for personal financial advisors, at $168,760 per year.9
The outlook is also positive for loan officers in Florida, with an anticipated job growth rate of 8.9% in the state through 2028.8 Florida has the third-highest concentration of loan officers of any state, with 16,220 employed earning an average salary of $73,990 per year, comparable to the national average salary of $76,200 per year for this occupation.10
Florida Finance Salary Information
| Occupation | Number Employed11 | Average Salary11 |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 500,640 | $68,700 |
| Financial Examiners | 2,290 | $87,420 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists | 22,190 | $73,500 |
| Financial Managers | 32,860 | $131,000 |
| Loan Officers | 16,220 | $73,990 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 15,830 | $113,670 |
Finance Associations in Florida
- Financial Planning Association of Florida (FPA): Statewide organization focused on developing and supporting public policy that supports the profession of financial planning.
- Florida Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA): Organization committed to advocacy and professional development for insurance and financial professionals.
- Florida Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA Florida): Offers networking events and continuing education opportunities specifically for healthcare finance professionals.
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/2/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/finance-rankings
5. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
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. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
9. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, Loan Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132072.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Florida: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_fl.htm