Financial Planning

An undergraduate degree in finance is not easy to obtain and it often requires several years of high-level study. Most institutions of higher learning that have business programs offer a degree in finance. Students earn either a Bachelor of Science in finance or a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a finance concentration. However, like all majors, not all schools are created equal. Here are some of the best undergraduate finance schools in the United States.

• University of Pennsylvania- the school itself was ranked fourth among national colleges by U.S. News and World Report in 2010. In 2009, it held the top spot on the list of undergraduate finance programs. Students attend the prestigious Wharton School of Business in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a finance concentration. The school has two finance research facilities and several opportunities to apply for independent study.

• Washington University- This school, located in St. Louis, Missouri, was ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the best Midwestern colleges in 2010. In 2010, it came in 12^th on the U.S. News and World Report list of national colleges. The magazine put it in the top 20 undergraduate finance programs in 2009. Olin Business School offers the finance major and opportunities to study or do internships abroad. Students can also opt to become a temporary investment manager for a Washington University account to get practical experience.

• Other undergraduate schools with excellent finance programs include: Ohio State University, University of Florida, University of Texas at Austin, Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois, New York University, University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, University of California, University of North Carolina, George Washington University, University of Virginia, Boston College, Emory University, University of Notre Dame, Carnegie Mellon University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.