Finance Programs and Careers in Nebraska

This guide is designed to provide information on degrees in finance offered in the state of Nebraska. Finance schools in Nebraska offer a variety of options to fulfill each student’s specific educational and career goals. Students of all skill levels and educational backgrounds can find a finance program that will meet their needs. In addition to undergraduate bachelor’s and certificate programs, master’s degree programs offered in Nebraska include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Finance concentration, a Master of Science in Strategic Finance (MSSF), a Master of Science (MSc) in Finance, and a Master of Finance (MFin). Many of these finance degrees offer the option between on-campus and fully online coursework. Select program details, job and salary data, and other information on finance careers in Nebraska can be found below.

Quick Facts

• There are 9 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in Nebraska.¹
• 1 school offers a certificate in finance.¹
• No schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.¹
• 8 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.¹
• 5 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.¹
• No schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.²
• No 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
• 1 school 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 Nebraska
• Select Schools in Nebraska with Finance Degrees
• Nebraska Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
• Finance Associations in Nebraska

Nebraska Finance Program Comparison

We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Nebraska 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.

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

Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Nebraska

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.

• Creighton University (#198; $1,202,000)
• Bellevue University (#242; $1,162,000)
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln (#639; $965,000)
• University of Nebraska-Omaha (#808; $939,000)
• University of Nebraska at Kearney (#1,226; $858,000)
• Concordia University-Nebraska (#1,511; $821,000)
• Chadron State College (#1,656; $799,000)
• Wayne State College (#1,917; $764,000)
• Metropolitan Community College (#2,153; $734,000)

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

• Creighton University (#14 tie)

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

• Creighton University (#17)

Select Schools in Nebraska with Finance Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

University of Nebraska at Kearney

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) College of Business and Technology offers students a Business Administration Comprehensive, Bachelor of Science (BS) with an emphasis in Finance. The program is accredited by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliate program which prepares students to sit for the CFA exam and is additionally accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The 120-credit hour program has reduced the general study credit hours from 45 to 30 credit hours, allowing greater transfer opportunities and flexibility within the degree. Finance courses include Principles of Finance; Corporate Finance; Financial Statement Analysis; Short-term Financial Management; Portfolio Management; and Investments. Graduates from UNK have gone on to work with companies such as Cabela’s, First National Bank, Barth Financial, Nebraska National Bank, Peter Kiewit Sons, the Nebraska Department of Revenue, Prudential Insurance, and Ernst & Young.

Wayne State College

The Wayne State College of Business and Technology offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), this degree program focuses on building skills in forecasting, investment strategies, management, leadership, analysis, legal and ethical standards of business, and communication skills. It is composed of, at minimum, 120 credit hours with 48 credit hours of concentration credits. Select course titles include Managerial Finance; Financial Accounting and Analysis; Advanced Finance; and Investments. Students are not required to complete an internship as part of their studies; however, students are encouraged to seek out internship opportunities with the assistance of Career Services. Opportunities for employment can be found in financial institutions such as banks, financial consulting firms, investment companies, insurance companies, real estate companies, credit agencies, and bank oversight agencies.

Traditional Master’s Programs

Bellevue University

Bellevue University (Bellevue) offers a Master of Science in Strategic Finance (MSSF) which can be completed either on-campus or through online coursework. The Bellevue finance master’s degree is designed to prepare students to make both financial and business decisions. Students are taught to analyze an organization’s financial strategy, value optimization, and enterprise-wide risk assessment and communicate these to stakeholders. This finance degree consists of 27 core credits and nine elective credits for a concentration. Bellevue students can choose between concentrations like Accounting, Finance, and Human Capital Management. Core classes include a broad range of topics including financial reporting, global markets, and investments. Bellevue offers students career support, including individual career coaching, resume critiques, and on-campus recruiting. An undergraduate degree from an accredited university is required to apply.

Creighton University

Creighton University (Creighton) offers a Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis (MIMFA) that is part of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliate program. This distinction prepares students for the CFA exam, making graduates more marketable in a competitive business world. Creighton’s MIMFA is designed to prepare students for a career in portfolio management and investments by focusing on professional standards, risk assessment, and security analysis. Course titles include Economics of Investment Management, Fixed Income and Derivatives, and Financial Statement Analysis. Students may also pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Creighton while completing their MIMFA. GMAT scores are required to apply, as well as an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. Creighton University offers career services for students, including resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and a large alumni network.

University of Nebraska-Omaha

The University of Nebraska-Omaha offers a 33-credit hour Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Risk Management. Courses are scheduled for eight-week sessions in the fall and spring, with four weeks offered in the summer. This degree is designed for students who are looking to develop a strong foundation across all functions of business while also gaining an in-depth understanding of how to identify and manage various risks within business and financial institutions. Course titles include Multinational Financial Management; Investment Management for Financial Analysts; Financial Accounting Theory; Management Accounting Issues; Seminar in Accounting Information Systems; E-Commerce Security; Security Risk Management; and Project Risk Management. MBA students are offered the opportunity to learn from and interact with Omaha executives and leaders through a series of seminars. Students are required to attend at least two MBA Leadership Seminar Series prior to graduation.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Bellevue University

Bellevue University (Bellevue) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance that can be completed entirely online. This business degree is designed to provide students a thorough understanding of the business industry while allowing them to focus their studies in finance. By focusing on both hands-on learning and business theory, students will be able to successfully navigate a career in business management. Course titles include Financial Reporting and Analysis, Risk Management, International Finance, and Financial Management and Strategy. The Bellevue finance degree is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. This same Bellevue MBA program is also offered in a traditional on-campus format.

Chadron State College

The Chadron State College (CSC) Business Academy offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Finance, both online and on-campus. CSC Business Academy emphasizes critical thinking, relation and communication skills, theoretical, technical, and professional skills. Degree requirements include a minimum of 120 credit hours with 36 credit hours from the Finance major. Required Finance courses include Principles of Management; Accounting Principles I and II; Macroeconomics; Microeconomics; Principles of Information Systems; Principles of Marketing; Business Law; Business and Economic Statistics; Principles of Finance; Decision Support for Managers; and Strategic Management. There are two on-campus organizations, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) and Delta Mu Delta, through which accepted students may find opportunities to grow their leadership, communication, and team skills. Upon graduating from CSC’s Finance program, students are prepared to pursue positions with career titles such as bank officer, financial analyst, and stockbroker.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance that can be completed fully online, on-campus, or through a hybrid program. Students take 30 credits of core business courses and 18 credits of elective courses, allowing students to focus on the topics that are most important to their career goals. Core courses include Financial Accounting, Managerial Finance, and Managerial Economics. Students are also required to take an elective course focusing on international business, preparing them for an increasingly globalized economy. Those with little business experience are required to participate in an internship to gain more hands-on experience. Students may also choose to pursue a graduate certificate in Business Analytics or Supply Chain Management concurrently with the MBA.

Nebraska Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

Nebraska is home to a wide variety of large companies and financial institutions, making it a great location for recent finance graduates. Companies headquartered in Nebraska include Great Plains Communications and Merrick Machinery. Other large employers in the state include Nebraska Medicine, Taylor Communications, and PayPal. First Commercial Bank, First State Bank, Farmers State Bank, and Union Bank and Trust Company all have operations in Nebraska. Ameritas is a mutual insurance firm based in Lincoln that offers many financial services and requires financially knowledgeable employees. Bridgepoint Merchant Banking and Corporate Finance Associates are investment banks with operations in Nebraska that offer a variety of financial services, including financial management to lower and middle market and business valuation for mergers.

Nebraska is predicted to see positive job growth for the financial sector and salaries that are comparable to the national average.^8,9 According to Projections Central, finance jobs should be on the increase in the state over the 10-year period between 2018 and 2028.⁹ Most notably, loan officer jobs are growing at double the national average, expected to increase by 15.8% in Nebraska as compared to the national average of 7.7%.⁹ Loan officers in Nebraska also earn an average salary that is higher than the national average, at $81,410 compared to $76,200 nationally.^8,10 Financial manager positions are expected to increase by 18.3% in Nebraska, as compared to the national growth projection of 16%.⁹ In Nebraska, financial managers earn an average salary of $116,450.^8,11 Additionally, financial specialist roles are expected to grow at a rate of 10.9% through 2028 compared to the national growth rate of 6.2%.^9,12 Financial specialists earn an average of $75,720 in Nebraska.⁹

Nebraska Finance Salary Information

Occupation	Number Employed8	Average Salary8
Business and Financial Operations Occupations	49,230	$67,480
Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists	1,690	$75,720
Financial Examiners	590	$73,880
Financial Managers	3,940	$116,450
Loan Officers	3,170	$81,410
Personal Financial Advisors	1,350	$97,260

Finance Associations in Nebraska

• Nebraska Association of Financial Professionals (AFP): Organization dedicated to providing education and networking for finance professionals.
• Financial Planning Association of Nebraska (FPA): Regional chapter of finance professionals that advocates for the advancement of the finance profession.
• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors – Nebraska (NAIFA): Organization committed to political advocacy, education, and networking for financial advisors and insurance 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/
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, Nebraska: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ne.htm
9. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Loan Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132072.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Managers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113031.htm
12. 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