Finance Major
A degree that offers almost as many opportunities as Bezos has commas and zeros
Finance professionals make strategic money decisions with a goal of long-term financial wealth. Whether you advise individuals on ways to retire by 40 or device plans to help an organization grow through acquisition (buying other companies), finance is one of today’s most dynamic business careers.
At UNI, you’ll develop deep financial management knowledge by making actual investment decisions. Gain hands-on, real-world knowledge as part of our student-managed Krause investment fund, one of the few student-directed funds in the country. And, with industry mentors and internships with finance leaders, you’ll build a professional network to grow opportunities for long-term career success.
Value of student-managed
funds
Krause Fund $380K, Panther Fund $130K (2021)
Top 10 Career
A study of job postings in the Des Moines area (2019-2021) revealed Financial Management in the Top 10. (STAMATS)
Median
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Financial Managers in 2021.
Find out More About Finance
Tell us more and we'll send information on how you can succeed with a finance degree from the David W. Wilson business college.
What's the difference between finance and accounting?
Although related, finance and accounting are very different. Finance professionals look at the business reports created by accountants to make future financial decisions that point out opportunities to grow a business, acquire a business or strategically lead one into the future.
They analyze expenditures to decide when a company or individual should borrow money, issue, or buy stocks and bonds, etc. A simple way to look at it, accounting reports on spending of the past where finance decides how funds will be spent in the future.
Finance Major Career Tracks
You’ll have the hands-on skills and know-how to excel in a finance career immediately following graduation. And, depending on your career goals, you can explore three areas to reach those goals.
Financial Management
Acquire the financial decision-making expertise used in any corporation, financial institution, or small business.
Investments
Gain knowledge in analyzing financial markets and managing financial assets such as stocks and bonds.
Personal Wealth Management
Attain proficiency in financial planning for the future and help others build their personal financial assets.
Finance Careers
With a Finance degree from UNI, one of the best business colleges, you'll graduate with the acumen to manage the financial growth and building of wealth for companies and individuals. Virtually every company, large and small, has finance professionals and it’s a highly lucrative career path with a variety of career options.
- Financial Advisor
- Loan Analyst
- Portfolio Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Loan Officer
- Personal Banker
- Financial Manager
- Mortgage Analyst
- Stock Broker
- Securities Analyst
Finance Courses
Classes like Principles of Investments and Advanced Financial Management will quickly get you up to speed on how to analyze, manage and invest money for financial firms, groups of individuals or individual investors. All finance classes are taught by faculty who have years of experience preparing students like you for life in the financial world.
- Corporate Finance
- Principles of Investments
- Intermediate Financial Management
- Advanced Financial Management
- Securities Analysis
- Options and Futures
- Real Estate Finance
- Commercial Bank Management
- International Financial Management
- Fixed Income Analysis
- Introduction to Personal Financial Planning
- Applications of Financial Planning
- Personal Wealth Management
Four-Year Plan - Financial Management Four-Year Plan - Investments Four-Year Plan - Personal Wealth Management
Top Employers
Our graduates are in demand! Whether you want to start your own firm and become a financial advisor or work as a loan analyst at a bank, you’ll be getting the business knowledge and professional skills to succeed at UNI’s College of Business.
Here are a few of the companies where our finance alumni work:
- Northwestern Mutual
- Robinhood
- AEGON | Transamerica
- Aflac
- Collins Aerospace
- Cottingham & Butler
- Fareway Stores
- Farm Bureau Financial Services
- Federated Mutual Insurance Company
- Fidelity Bank & Trust
- GEICO
- Grinnell Mutual
- IBM
- Johnson and Johnson
- Principal Financial Group
- Quicken Loans
- Veridian Credit Union
- Wells Fargo
Beyond the Classroom
Shape your leadership skills and have some fun by joining a student organization.
The University of Northern Iowa Finance Club is the premier student organization for finance students and is well-respected by business professionals across the Midwest. As a UNI Finance Club member, you’ll have access to the latest career information, attend networking events with potential employers or recruiters and increase your social interaction with other students who are majoring in finance.
The Mission of Business Professionals of America is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service. Members participate in activities to accomplish their goals of self-improvement and leadership development.