Major in Finance
If you're interested in investing, financial markets, business strategy, or helping organizations make smart financial decisions, a Finance degree can prepare you for a rewarding and high-demand career. The Â鶹´«Ã½AV Finance program equips students with the analytical, quantitative, and decision-making skills needed to evaluate investments, manage risk, forecast financial performance, and create long-term value for businesses and individuals.
Finance combines principles from accounting, economics, and business to help students understand how money moves through organizations and global markets. At Idaho State, experiential learning is at the heart of the program. Students apply classroom concepts by investing real money, participating in financial simulations, competing in business and investment competitions, and solving real-world business challenges. Through coursework and these hands-on opportunities, students build expertise in investment management, financial planning, commercial banking, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and financial analysis while also developing the technical, analytical, and decision-making skills employers value.
One of the program's unique advantages is the Flexible BBA option, which allows many students to double major in Finance and another business discipline, such as Economics, Marketing, or Management, with little to no additional coursework. This flexibility allows students to broaden their expertise, customize their education, and expand their career opportunities after graduation.
Career Outlook from Idaho Department of Labor
- Average salary for Financial Managers: $136,070 per year
- Projected job growth: 22.8% through 2032
- Annual statewide job openings: 340
Hands-On Learning and Real-World Finance Experience
D.A. Davidson Investment Fund
Finance students gain real-world investment management experience through the D.A. Davidson Investment Fund, where student teams manage a live investment portfolio funded by D.A. Davidson & Co. Throughout the semester, students research companies, analyze market trends, evaluate investment opportunities, and make portfolio management decisions using real capital.
This hands-on experience helps students apply classroom concepts in equity analysis, portfolio management, risk assessment, and financial decision-making while developing the analytical skills sought by employers in investment management, financial analysis, and wealth management. Schools that generate positive investment returns also share in the portfolio's profits, rewarding strong investment performance.
CFA Institute Research Challenge
The CFA Institute Research Challenge gives finance students the opportunity to compete against universities from around the world in one of the most respected collegiate finance competitions. Working as a team, students analyze a publicly traded company, conduct industry and financial research, evaluate business performance, and develop a professional equity research report and investment recommendation.
Teams present their findings to a panel of investment professionals and Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), gaining valuable experience in financial modeling, equity valuation, company analysis, and professional presentations. The competition prepares students for careers in investment analysis, portfolio management, equity research, and corporate finance while introducing them to the globally recognized CFA designation.
Financial Literacy Week
Financial Literacy Week is an annual College of Business event that helps students develop the money management and financial decision-making skills needed for success in both their personal and professional lives. Throughout the week, students from across campus attend free workshops, keynote presentations, and interactive events covering topics such as investing, budgeting, taxes, insurance, real estate, estate planning, credit, and major financial decisions like buying a home or car. All events are free to attend and feature opportunities to win cash prizes and other giveaways. Finance students who join the Finance Association have the unique opportunity to help plan and execute Financial Literacy Week alongside faculty and industry professionals.
Where a Finance Degree Can Take You
Matt Cox, Class of 2026
Matt decided to pursue a Finance degree because he enjoyed working with patterns, formulas, large amounts of data, and being able to achieve efficiencies to save people money. "I find it enjoyable to dive deep into whatever information is available to explain what has already occurred, and how it may affect future outcomes," said Matt. "I love that finance is future-forecast-based, where one can use a variety of tools to reasonably assume future expectations and plan accordingly. Helping others make the best bang for their buck or realizing potential savings is always a fun feeling." Matt now works as a financial analyst at Allegiant Airlines.
A Finance degree can prepare you for careers in financial analysis, investment management, financial planning, commercial and investment banking, corporate finance wealth management, risk management, entrepreneurship and more. If you enjoy solving problems, working with data, analyzing markets, and making strategic financial decisions, Finance offers a versatile and career-focused degree with opportunities across nearly every industry.
Career-Ready Credentials and Professional Development Opportunities
Recognized for Quality
In 1978, the Â鶹´«Ã½AV College of Business became the first business school in the state to receive accreditation from the (AACSB). Over 40 years later, we continuously strive to meet these world class standards of excellence.
Elevate Your Degree
Set Yourself Apart
The College of Business is home to a unique Professional Development program, designed to prepare students for the career search as early as their freshman year. Our Professional Development team helps students navigate internships, networking opportunities and resume preparation.