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FinanceMajor

We stress hands-on learning. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Financial Planner, Certified Valuation Analysis and Certified Financial Analyst exams.

Overview

What is Finance at WVU like?

Description

Finance is the study of the creation and management of wealth. A Finance major learns how to evaluate and control assets and risks to maximize the value to owners or beneficiaries. This involves such day-to-day activities as collecting/paying money and interacting with banks and other financial institutions. Also involved is long-range planning about what building and equipment to buy, what stocks to purchase or issue, managing dividends and interest, using insurance to protect assets and developing new financial instruments or services. Finance majors are prepared for careers on either side of the desk: as sellers or buyers of investments; as credit seekers or credit grantors; and as purveyors or recipients of insurance services.

Finance majors take a 37-credit-hour core business curriculum that is modeled on the interrelationships among the functional areas of business as they occur in the real world. Emphasis is on developing skills for effective teamwork, communication and leadership—the skills employers value highly.

Finance program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Banking
  • Corporate Finance and Valuation
    Meets professional standards required for the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) certification.
  • Energy Finance
  • Financial Planning
    Meets educational requirements for the Certified Financial Planning designation (CFP).
  • General Finance
    Available to Finance majors who do not meet the requirements of other Areas of Emphasis.
  • Investments
  • Risk Management and Insurance
  • Wealth Management

Fast Facts

What makes Finance at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

Independent study is common. If you have an interest, the faculty will work with you to build an opportunity. Finance students also have access to a competitive research grant that is awarded over the summer.

You are encouraged to participate in an internship after your first semester in the College. Internships are an extension of the learning experience and provide insights into the actual operations of an organization. The College’s Center for Career Development uses its extensive network of firms and organizations to help you find the right internship.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Recent graduates have been employed by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), First United, WesBanco, AXA Advisors, Aldi, Mylan and State Street

Finance graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Financial Planner, Certified Valuation Analysis and Certified Financial Analyst exams.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Finance major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Finance at WVU?

FIN 310:
Investments

Investment analysis and management for the individual and the financial institution.

FIN 350:
General Insurance

Theory of risk and its application to insurance; principles underlying insurance- life, property, casualty, fire, and surety.

FIN 411:
Derivatives

Examines derivatives markets with an emphasis on options. Introduces the concept of arbitrage and the implications for derivatives equilibrium pricing. Applications of derivatives in financial risk management.

Cost and Aid

How much does Finance at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the John Chambers College of Business and Economics may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Finance at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Finance major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

For direct admission to majors in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics:

  • GPA: 3.00

Admission to Business:

Applicants must also meet minimum GPA requirements for admission to the University.

  • ACT Math: 19
  • SAT Math: 510
  • ALEKS: 30

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Finance major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Finance at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

Request Info

Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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