Finance Programs and Careers in Colorado

This page provides information for students interested in earning finance degrees. There are different degree options for those with different schedules and career goals. Colorado’s colleges and universities offer full-time and part-time finance degree opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduates with degrees in finance in Colorado may be able to find opportunities in the financial industry within the state after graduation. Continue reading to learn about different types of finance degrees available in Colorado as well as post-graduation employment possibilities in finance.

Quick Facts

• There are 12 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in Colorado.¹
• 2 schools offer a certificate in finance.¹
• No schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.¹
• 10 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.¹
• 7 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.¹
• No schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.²
• No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.³
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.⁴
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021.⁵

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with finance degree programs.

Table of Contents

• Comparison of Finance Programs
• Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Colorado
• Select Schools in Colorado with Finance Degrees
• Colorado Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
• Finance Associations in Colorado

Colorado Finance Program Comparison

We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in STATE from not-for-profit schools that offer programs with a concentration in finance. In addition to allowing you to compare the business school’s accreditation, finance degrees that appear in bold are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programs, those that have been recognized for curricula aligned to preparing for the CFA Exam.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Colorado

Georgetown CEW’s ROI Ranking by Long-Term Net Present Value 2019

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) has compared 4,500 colleges and universities on graduates’ return on investment (ROI). We use their net present value (NPV) ranking, which is the current dollar value of earning a four-year degree from the school over a 40-year horizon.

• University of Colorado-Denver (#207; $1,197,000)
• Regis University (#233; $1,176,000)
• University of Denver (#277; $1,131,000)
• University of Colorado-Boulder (#423; $1,046,000)
• Colorado State University (#627; $982,000)
• University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (#928; $914,000)
• University of Northern Colorado (#1,246; $854,000)
• Metropolitan State University of Denver (#1,282; $850,000)
• Colorado State University-Pueblo (#1,750; $786,000)
• Fort Lewis College (#2,364; $710,000)⁷

Select Schools in Colorado with Finance Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Metropolitan State University of Denver

The Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance and is AACSB-accredited. Finance majors are able to specialize their degrees with a concentration in either General Finance, Financial Services (registered with the CFP Board of Standards), or International Business. There are also two Finance minors offered, in Finance and Financial Services. Students have multiple finance courses to choose from including Estate Planning, International Money and Finance, Financial Strategies and Policies, and more. Graduates from the MSU College of Business may find careers as financial managers, financial analysts, personal financial advisors, and fund managers. MSU alumni have been placed with companies such as Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo, Xcel Energy, State of Colorado, and Great-West Financial.

University of Northern Colorado

At the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Montfort College of Business students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Finance. The program is AACSB-accredited and the Finance emphasis is affiliated with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. Courses include Financial Markets and Institutions; Portfolio Management; Principles of Risk and Insurance; Multinational Financial Management; Investments; and Introduction to Real Estate. Finance majors also have multiple minors to consider including Business Administration, Business Administration with Entrepreneurial Option, and Global Business. Classes are capped at 26 students per professor, allowing students to receive personal interaction and mentorship. UNC’s Montfort College of Business students have the opportunity to work part-time and past students have accepted internships with multiple firms including Deloitte & Touche, State Farm Insurance, Western Union, and others.

Traditional Master’s Programs

Colorado State University

At Colorado State University (CSU), students can earn a Master of Finance (MFIN) degree in a highly quantitative 30-credit program. The curriculum is designed to grow students’ career opportunities and enhance their corporate visibility. The coursework focuses on the theories and application of investment analysis, portfolio management, corporate finance, and financial risk management. Students are taught to translate their knowledge into real-world skills by assessing changes and developing effective solutions to problems in the finance field. The program can be completed in two full-time semesters or in four part-time semesters. Many graduates from CSU go on to take the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exams and may find careers in commercial or investment banking, financial management, financial planning and advising, portfolio management, corporate finance, and financial analysis, amongst other careers within the finance sector.

University of Colorado Boulder

The Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder offers a Master of Finance (MFIN) degree designed for students with strong quantitative aptitude but not necessarily a background or work experience in finance. The curriculum teaches critical skills in the field of finance. Classes focus on financial fundamentals, including analytic and strategic thinking as well as business theory. Students can choose a specialized track in Investment Management or Corporate Finance and Consulting. Class sizes are small, and students can attend additional lectures given by faculty and finance professionals on current issues and trends in the industry. The curriculum includes preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam. For post-graduation career opportunities, students can consult with the business school’s dedicated professional development services for networking events and employment opportunities.

University of Denver

The Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver offers a Master’s in Applied Quantitative Finance (MSAQF) degree. This program offers specializations in Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, and Asset Management and includes the option to build one’s own curriculum. At least 45 credits are required for the degree, which can be completed in as little as 10-12 months. Students have the option of full-time or part-time course loads with classes offered both day and evening. Student educational and experiential trips are included in the program, with national and international destinations to financial capitals such as New York, London, and Brussels. The Daniels College of Business is a STEM-designed program. The program is also CFA-affiliated and offers multiple CFA exam scholarships every year.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Regis University

Regis University (RU) offers both in-person evening classes and online tracks for its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance degree program. Students will complete 120 credits, which are offered in five or eight-week terms, with courses such as Business Finance, Fundamentals of Investments, and International Finance. Transfer students are able to transfer up to 81 credits from a previous program or up to 84 credits from any Colorado Community College BS in Finance. Students can also apply to take up to four graduate-level courses, allowing individuals to prepare to pursue a combined degree in one of RU’s Master of Science (MS) offerings. This degree is designed to prepare graduates to obtain employment with large and small companies in multiple markets. Possible career paths include financial consulting, investing, budget management, financial planning, and more. Program starts are offered in January, March, May, July, August, and October.

Colorado State University-Global Campus

Colorado State University-Global Campus gives students looking to advance in their careers the opportunity to earn a Master of Finance (MFIN) degree entirely online. The master’s degree is 36 credits with 24 credits of core courses and 12 credits of degree specialization courses. Popular specializations include Project Management, Applied Business Management, and Organizational Leadership and Change Management. The program familiarizes students with technological and emerging business trends in the field of finance. Students learn how to create financial strategies, analyze risks and investments, and make effective decisions. The curriculum emphasizes financial skills, general business knowledge, and leadership strategies. The coursework focuses on theoretical and quantitative skills in financial analysis, auditing, and accounting. Examples of core courses include Corporate Finance, Principles of Finance, Risk and Insurance Management, and more. Working professionals at CSU’s Global Campus can deepen their knowledge of operations and international perspectives in finance.

University of Colorado Denver

The University of Colorado Denver offers a Master of Science (MS) in Finance and Risk Management. Students can complete this 30-credit hour degree entirely online, on-campus, or through a hybrid combination of the two formats. Classes can be taken full-time or part-time with evening classes as an option as well. Students have five specializations to choose from including General Finance, Financial Analysis and Management, Commodities, Risk Management and Insurance, and Economics. The General Finance concentration focuses on financial analysis, commodities, risk management, and insurance. This curriculum is the same both online and on-campus and is led by the same professors, making this concentration the most flexible for students who want a fully online or hybrid degree. This program requires students to have prerequisite knowledge of spreadsheet software and financial accounting. Graduates are prepared to enter careers in financial analysis, corporate finance, and investment management.

Colorado Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

Colorado has a diverse economy with many financial institutions as well as nationally-known telecommunications, energy, and other companies. The major metropolitan areas such as Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins offer the most concentrated employment opportunities for graduates with degrees in finance. Institutions like Liberty Tax Service and Wells Fargo have large centers in Colorado, and Western Union is headquartered in the state. Telecommunications companies like Comcast, Dish Network Corporation, and Question Communications are based in the state, in addition to energy companies like Halliburton and Newmont Mining.

Colorado’s finance industry is growing and students with a master’s in finance may have an advantage in finding employment opportunities within the state. Financial analyst positions are expanding rapidly, projected to grow 19.4% over the 10-year period through 2028.⁸ Financial analysts in Colorado earn an annual mean wage of $96,010, slightly higher than the average national wage for financial analysts of $94,160.^9,10 Personal financial advisor positions are projected to grow 22.2% within the state from 2018 through 2028, faster than the national average for this career of 7%.⁸ Financial managers in Colorado earn an average of $164,370 annually, which is much higher than the national average of $147,530.^8,11

Colorado Finance Salary Information

Finance Associations in Colorado

• Rocky Mountain Association for Financial Professionals (RMAFP): Regional association for treasury and finance professionals that promotes continued professional development for its members and provides industry updates.
• Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA): Statewide professional organization for Certified Public Accountants in the industry as well as students studying in accounting programs, offering continued professional education classes and advisory services.
• Institute of Management Accountants (Denver IMA): Encourages members to pursue professional development opportunities and hosts networking events for industry professionals.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
5. US News & World Report Best Graduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/finance-rankings
6. US News & World Report Best Business Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/
8. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
9. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Colorado: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_co.htm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes132098.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Managers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113031.htm