What to Expect from a Finance Major

Thinking about majoring in finance? Great choice. A finance major isn’t just about money—it’s about understanding how money moves, how businesses grow, and how economies work. It’s one of the most versatile and high-demand degrees out there. Whether you’re planning to work on Wall Street, start your own business, or just want to make smart decisions with your personal income, a finance degree can take you far.

In this article, we’ll explore what studying finance looks like, the benefits of a finance and economics double major, and what kind of jobs you can get with a finance major. Plus, we’ll break down the most promising career opportunities for finance majors—so you’ll know exactly what’s waiting for you after graduation.

What Does a Finance Major Study?

When you major in finance, you learn about money from every angle. You’ll study:

• How companies decide to invest or raise money
  
• How markets behave over time
  
• How to manage risk
  
• How to read financial statements
  
• How to use data to make smarter financial decisions
  

Your classes might include financial accounting, corporate finance, statistics, business law, investment analysis, and even some computer-based modeling. It’s a mix of math, logic, and business thinking.

Sounds technical? It is—but in a good way. The real reward is how practical these skills are. Every business needs finance. And once you’ve learned how to manage money, your value in the job market shoots up.

Why Finance? The Real-World Advantages

Here’s why finance is such a solid major:

• It pays well. Starting salaries for finance grads are often higher than many other business majors.
  
• It’s flexible. You can work in banking, real estate, tech, consulting, government, or start your own thing.
  
• It’s in demand. Every organization needs someone who understands money. That’s where you come in.
  
• It gives you options. Whether you want to be an advisor, analyst, or entrepreneur—finance fits all paths.
  

Finance teaches you how to think strategically and solve real-world problems. And that’s a skill every employer values.

Should You Double Major in Finance and Economics?

Many students think about pairing finance with economics—and that’s a smart move. Finance is very hands-on. Economics, on the other hand, is more theory-based. It helps you understand the “why” behind what’s happening in markets and economies.

A finance and economics double major gives you:

• Stronger critical thinking skills
  
• A better grasp of policy and market trends
  
• A great foundation for grad school or public sector jobs
  
• An edge for research, analysis, or consulting careers
  

If you enjoy big-picture thinking and detailed analysis, doing both majors can really set you apart.

Career Opportunities for Finance Majors

So what can you actually do with a finance degree? Here are some of the top finance major jobs and what they involve.

1. Financial Analyst

You’ll look at data and trends to help companies make smart investment decisions. Think stocks, bonds, and corporate performance.

Where: Banks, investment firms, corporations
Average Salary: $85,000
Bonus: This job often leads to higher roles like portfolio manager or VP.

2. Financial Planner

You’ll work with people (not just spreadsheets) to help them budget, invest, and plan for retirement.

Where: Wealth management firms, private practice
Best For: Good communicators who like helping others
Bonus: Build your own client base and work independently.

3. Investment Banker

You’ll help companies raise capital, go public, or merge with other firms. It’s high pressure, but the pay is serious.

Where: Big banks and Wall Street firms
Average Salary: Starts high—and can go very high
Hours: Long. Think 80-hour weeks, especially early on.

4. Risk Analyst

You’ll assess financial risks and help companies avoid major losses. Your job is to be the safety net.

Where: Insurance, banking, large corporations
Skills Needed: Statistics, scenario planning, critical thinking

5. Credit Analyst

You’ll decide whether a person or company is safe to lend money to. You’ll study credit reports, income, and debt.

Where: Banks, credit bureaus, financial institutions
Job Perks: Lower stress, solid career growth

6. Corporate Finance Manager

You’ll manage budgets, assess company performance, and plan for future growth inside a business.

Where: Any mid-to-large size company
Growth Path: Can lead to CFO or executive-level roles
Certifications: CPA or CMA helps a lot

7. Fintech Analyst

You’ll work at the intersection of finance and tech. Think mobile banking, crypto platforms, or financial automation.

Where: Startups, tech firms, digital banks
Skills Needed: Finance + tech tools like SQL, Excel, Python

Quick Look: Jobs You Can Get With a Finance Major

Job Role	Typical Salary Range	Work Environment	Best For
Financial Analyst	$70K – $100K	Office, Corporate	Data-driven thinkers
Investment Banker	$120K+ (plus bonus)	High-pressure Firms	Competitive high performers
Financial Planner	$65K – $90K	Client-Facing Roles	Strong communicators
Risk Manager	$85K – $110K	Internal Teams	Detail-oriented professionals
Credit Analyst	$60K – $80K	Banks	Conservative, logical thinkers
Corporate Finance	$90K – $130K	Business Departments	Strategic planners
Fintech Analyst	$80K – $120K	Tech Startups	Finance-meets-tech enthusiasts

What Employers Want from Finance Majors

Having a degree is just the start. The top candidates also have:

• Internship experience (especially in finance or business settings)
  
• Soft skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership
  
• Certifications such as CFA, CPA, or CFP (depending on your path)
  
• Technical skills: Advanced Excel, Bloomberg, Python, or SQL
  
• A strong GPA (especially if applying to top firms or grad school)
  

If you want to work in corporate or investment finance, consider getting your CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). For accounting-heavy roles, CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is key. For planning and advisory, go for CFP (Certified Financial Planner).

Real-Life Advice: Don’t Skip Internships

Internships are where theory meets practice. They also make your resume stand out.

Try to get experience in:

• A bank
  
• A brokerage firm
  
• A startup’s finance team
  
• A government or nonprofit finance office
  

Internships help you:

• Learn real-world tools
  
• Meet professionals
  
• Discover what part of finance you enjoy most
  
• Possibly get hired after graduation
  

Graduate School or Start Working?

Some students go directly into the workforce after their degree—and that’s totally fine. Others take a break, work for a few years, and then pursue an MBA or Master’s in Finance. Grad school can fast-track you into leadership roles and increase your earning potential.

Tip: If you want to work in top management, consulting, or a global finance firm, an MBA might be worth it later on.

Final Words: Is Finance Right for You?

A finance major isn’t just about learning numbers—it’s about using those numbers to make smart decisions, help businesses grow, and even shape economies. It’s about seeing the world through a lens of logic, risk, reward, and strategy.

Whether you pursue a single finance degree or a finance and economics double major, you’ll graduate with skills that matter—skills that are needed everywhere, all the time.

You’ll never look at money the same way again. And that’s a powerful thing.