Finance Programs and Careers in Utah
On this page, you will find information about degrees in finance from Utah universities. Schools in the state offer a variety of programs. Students can earn undergraduate degrees as well as advanced degrees such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance or a Master of Science in Finance (MSF), and many programs offer opportunities to add additional concentrations or graduate certificates. Some programs can be completed entirely online, on a part-time basis, or in an accelerated, full-time format. After graduating from a finance school in Utah, students may find opportunities to work within the state. Select program details, job and salary data, and other information on finance careers in Utah can be found below.
Quick Facts
- There are 9 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in Utah.1
- 3 schools offer a certificate in finance.1
- 1 school offers an associate’s degree in finance.1
- 9 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.1
- 4 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.1
- 1 school ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.2
- 1 school ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.3
- No schools 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 Utah
- Select Schools in Utah with Finance Degrees
- Utah Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
- Finance Associations in Utah
Utah Finance Program Comparison
We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Utah 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 | Accreditation | Finance Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University | AACSB | BS-Finance; MBA-Finance | 59.2% | 78% | — | $8,093 | $13,340 |
| Utah Tech University | AACSB; ACBSP | BS-Finance | N.Av. | 36% | — | $7,000 | $12,801 |
| Salt Lake Community College | — | AAS-Finance and Credit; Certificate-Finance and Credit | N.Av. | 27% | — | $4,000 | $6,812 |
| Southern Utah University | AACSB | BA/BS-Finance; Minor-Finance; MBA-Finance | 79.4% | 50% | Yes | $6,774 | $14,879 |
| University of Utah | AACSB | BA/BS-Finance; BA/BS-Finance: Advanced Financial Analysis; Certificate-Financial Planning; MS-Finance | 46.4% | 70% | — | $11,500 | $13,739 |
| Utah State University | AACSB | BS/BA-Finance; Minor-Finance; Minor-Personal Finance Planning; MSFE-Master of Science in Financial Economics | N.Av. | 54% | — | $8,000 | $13,452 |
| Utah Valley University | AACSB | BS-Finance; Minor-Finance; Certificate-Financial Planning; Masters of Financial Planning & Analytics (MFPA) | N.Av. | 32% | — | $7,901 | $8,267 |
| Weber State University | AACSB | BS-Finance; Minor-Finance | N.Av. | 34% | — | $8,250 | $11,224 |
| Westminster University | ACBSP | BA-Finance; BS-Finance | N.Av. | 58% | — | $17,194 | $22,971 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Utah
Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019
- Brigham Young University (#24)
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.
- Brigham Young University (#132; $1,275,000)
- University of Utah (#277; $1,131,000)
- Westminster College (#473; $1,028,000)
- Utah Valley University (#747; $952,000)
- Weber State University (#747; $952,000)
- Utah State University (#922; $915,000)
- Salt Lake Community College (#1,103; $882,000)
- Southern Utah University (#1,450; $829,000)
- Utah Tech University (#1,564; $814,000)7
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020
- Brigham Young University
Select Schools in Utah with Finance Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Utah Tech University
The Utah Tech University College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. The program is both AACSB-accredited and ACBSP-accredited. The degree is composed of 120 credit hours. Students will learn the skills necessary to pursue careers in personal financial planning, corporate finance, banking, and research. With coursework focusing on practical application, students will evaluate real-world financial markets, analyze active data, create and perform both oral presentations and written analysis, and produce financial analysis by synthesizing and evaluating information. Some core finance courses include Financial Accounting; Financial Modeling and Business; Business Law; and Finance Career Strategies. Financial electives include International Finance; Data Visualization and Storytelling; and Financial Negotiations. Students will have the opportunity to manage an investment portfolio in a capstone course. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required to graduate.
Utah Valley University
At the Utah Valley University Woodbury School of Business, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. In this 120-credit hour program, students learn the basics of financial theory and study other specialized course areas including financial management, analysis, and investments. Courses include Financial Accounting; Managerial Economics; Business Strategy Formulation and Implementation; Operations Management; International Economics; Microeconomics; and Intermediate Macroeconomics. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in all courses. The curriculum focuses on educating students in finance and economics while building competency in information analysis. Career options for graduates may include fund management, banking, investment sales and analysis, energy, securities, securities market regulation, wealth and asset management, and government financial management.
Westminster University
The Westminster University Bill & Vieve Gore School of Business offers both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. The ACBSP-accredited program is 124 credit hours in length. Students are able to customize their finance degree by selecting courses that best serve their interests and career goals. Courses include Business Finance; Investment and Analysis; Corporate Finance; Financial Institutions and Industrial Banking; Personal Financial Planning and Insurance; Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits; Securities Regulations and Trading; Financial Derivatives; Investment Strategies and Applications; International Finance; Business Forecasting; and Strategic Financial Management and Entrepreneurship. It is required that students maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in all coursework as well as passing the ETS Major Field Test in Business to graduate. The Finance major is a strong option for graduates who are interested in pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or law degree.
Traditional Master’s Programs
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (BYU) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance for students interested in careers in the financial industry. The program requires 64 credit hours and includes the opportunity to take an internship during the spring or summer semester; though this is not mandatory, it is strongly suggested. Graduates are prepared to work in general management roles as well as management roles that require financial knowledge. Finance electives offered include Managerial Finance; Personal Finance; Real Estate Management; and Venture Capital/Private Equity. Work experience is helpful for the program. Students must take a full-time course load, with most semesters including at least 16 credit hours of coursework. Graduates from BYU frequently go on to work for investment and corporate banks, brokerage firms, hedge funds, and venture capitalists.
Utah State University
The Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University offers a Master of Science in Financial Economics (MSFE) degree. Courses include an emphasis on key areas of finance as well as the supporting areas of economics. Students are prepared to enter careers in risk management, asset management, trading, and financial and economic research. The program is 30 credit hours and can be completed in two full-time semesters, with an option to complete the program with a thesis in the summer semester. Classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, typically between 9 AM and 5 PM. Students are admitted at the beginning of each fall semester. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam post-graduation, and the department offers scholarships to offset part of the exam fee.
University of Utah
The University of Utah David Eccles School of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance (MSF). The program is AACSB-accredited, affiliated with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute, and a STEM-designated program. The MSF curriculum is industry-focused, placing emphasis on hands-on learning that prepares students to enter the workforce with applicable skills such as financial modeling, Bloomberg technology, and data analytics. Composed of 30 credit hours, the degree can be completed full-time or part-time with start dates in the spring and fall and can be completed in between nine and 24 months. Students have the option to work one-on-one with a career coach who provides resources for networking with potential employers and supports potential graduates with career search and preparation. David Eccles School of Business graduates have been hired by notable companies including American Express, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Southern Utah University
The Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University offers an online, AACSB-accredited, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. The flexible program is offered entirely online and can be accessed 24/7. The program requires 120 credit hours and can be completed in as few as three years. The degree includes 30-35 credits in general education requirements, 12 credits in Bachelor of Science (BS) requirements, 73 credits in core requirements, and up to nine credits in free electives. Selected Finance core credits include Managerial Finance; Risk and Insurance; Options and Futures; and Applied Analysis for the CFA Exam. The curriculum focuses on building a strong foundation in managerial finance, investments, and data analytics. The degree prepares graduates to take on career roles such as financial planner, financial analyst, controller, chief financial officer, and treasurer.
Utah Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
Utah’s biggest cities, such as Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, and West Jordan, are home to many of the state’s largest companies. Statewide banks, such as Bank of Utah, Central Bank, and State Bank of Southern Utah, may have positions in financial roles. Local financial services company Zions Bancorporation as well as national companies like Goldman Sachs, American Express, Wells Fargo, and Discover Financial Services have major corporate centers in the state. Other companies such as CHG Healthcare Services and Intermountain Healthcare employ a large number of people in Utah.
Although many average salaries for financial positions in Utah are lower than national averages, the number of positions in Utah is projected to grow at a much faster rate than the national average.9 Personal financial advisor positions in Utah are expected to grow by 12.2% through 2028 in the state compared to the national average of 7%.9 Personal financial advisors earn an average of $98,180 annually which is lower than the national average of $119,290.8 Financial analyst positions are projected to grow 29.2% through 2028, more than triple the national rate of 6.2%.9 Financial specialist positions are projected to grow by 32.2% in the state (compared to 6.2% nationally); these professionals earn an average of $73,250 annually in Utah.8,9,10 With high projected job growth rates, students graduating from finance schools in Utah may find many career opportunities in the state’s rapidly expanding financial industry.
Utah Finance Job Information
| Occupation | Number Employed8 | Average Salary8 |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 87,320 | $65,890 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists | 5,150 | $73,250 |
| Financial Examiners | 610 | $70,560 |
| Financial Managers | 7,940 | $113,000 |
| Loan Officers | 6,000 | $61,110 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 2,510 | $98,180 |
Finance Associations in Utah
- Financial Planning Association of Utah (Utah FPA): Association for professionals in the financial planning industry that advocates for the financial planning field and hosts continued education events and career development opportunities.
- Northern Utah Association of Government Accountants (Northern Utah AGA): Provides monthly training opportunities in addition to networking events and annual seminars.
- Health Financial Management Association of Utah (HFMA Utah): Professional group for those who work in financial management in the healthcare field that organizes industry conferences and networking events.
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, Utah: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ut.htm
9. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm