Finance Programs and Careers in Missouri

The following guide provides detailed information for those interested in finance degrees and careers in Missouri. Universities in Missouri offer a wide range of finance degree options. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Finance emphasis or a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, as well as other options. For working professionals or individuals who need a more flexible program, some universities also offer evening classes, hybrid options, or degrees that can be earned completely online. Graduates with finance degrees can find various employment opportunities in the finance industry in Missouri after graduation. Continue reading for details on specific degrees in finance, as well as potential post-graduation employment opportunities and salary information for those seeking careers in finance.

Quick Facts

• There are 29 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in Missouri.¹
• 11 schools offer a certificate in finance.¹
• No schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.¹
• 29 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.¹
• 14 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.¹
• 2 schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.²
• 1 school ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.³
• 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.⁴
• 1 school 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 Missouri
• Select Schools in Missouri with Finance Degrees
• Missouri Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
• Finance Associations in Missouri

Missouri Finance Program Comparison

We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Missouri 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 Missouri

Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019

• Washington University in St. Louis (#29)
• University of Missouri (#53)

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.

• Missouri University of Science and Technology (#42; $1,548,000)
• Washington University in St. Louis (#64; $1,448,000)
• Saint Louis University (#258; $1,149,000)
• Rockhurst University (#420; $1,047,000)
• University of Missouri-Columbia (#541; $1,006,000)
• Maryville University of Saint Louis (#683; $967,000)
• University of Missouri-Kansas City (#683; $967,000)
• Park University (#709; $960,000)
• Truman State University (#781; $946,000)
• University of Missouri-St. Louis (#866; $927,000)⁷

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020

• Washington University in St. Louis

US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021

• Washington University in St. Louis (#27 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021

• Washington University in St. Louis (#26 tie)

Select Schools in Missouri with Finance Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Truman State University

At Truman State University’s AACSB-accredited School of Business, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) or Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA). Both degrees offer a Finance concentration option for students seeking professional careers in securities, investments, and finance. The programs emphasize investment management skills through hands-on assignments that challenge students to use real money and manage an endowment. The curriculum includes tasks designed to arm students with skills required in high stakes financial decision-making, including asset allocation, portfolio construction, performance reporting, investment policy statement maintenance and development, and equity security analysis. The program requires 43 credit hours that include major-specific courses and three required courses: Corporate Finance, Investments, and Seminar in Finance. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 is required.

William Woods University

William Woods University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in Economics and Finance. The AACSB-accredited program requires 122 credit hours, including 48 core major credits and 15 credit hours of coursework in accounting, business, and economics courses that focus on banking and financial analysis. Students are challenged to utilize critical thinking skills to solve business problems through internships and business competitions. Students may opt to participate in special academic opportunities such as marketing and business seminars in New York City and other cities throughout the nation. Students may also take part in the Graduate Plus Program during their senior year to complete their master’s degree in only one year after earning the bachelor’s degree.

Traditional Master’s Programs

Saint Louis University

The Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in Finance at Saint Louis University’s (SLU) Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Working professionals can choose the part-time track with courses offered on weekday evenings. This option can be completed in as little as two-and-a-half years, with up to five years permitted for degree completion. The flexible AACSB-accredited program requires completion of 36-48 credits, depending on whether students completed foundational core undergraduate prerequisites. These requirements may be waived for students who demonstrate competency in the skill areas. Students complete advanced managerial courses and then complete a practice course in which they consult with local for-profit and nonprofit organizations to apply integrated business skills. Prior work experience is not required to apply to this program.

University of Missouri, Kansas City

At the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s (UMKC) Henry W. Bloch School of Management, students can earn a Master of Science in Finance (MSF). This program is aimed at those looking to advance their careers or to complete further specialized training for certifications like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The curriculum is entrepreneurship-based and globally focused, and students learn both foundational business principles and practical industry skills. The course content includes a minimum of 30 credit hours and focuses on subjects such as financial management, investment, valuation, and mergers and acquisitions. After completing core courses, students choose an area to focus on, such as Wealth Management, Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurial Finance, or Financial Analysis. A certificate in Financial Planning and undergraduate degree options in finance are also available.

Washington University in St. Louis

The Olin Business School at Washington University in Saint Louis (WashU) offers a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) in which students can complete specializations, or tracks, in Corporate Finance and Investments or Wealth and Asset Management. The degree can be completed in as little as 11 months. WashU also offers a Quantitative Finance track focusing on mathematical expertise and business decision-making, which can be completed over 18 months. Finally, students can choose a self-designed Global Finance MSF that is started in the Olin Business School and finished at an international partner university. All four tracks emphasize securities research, asset management, and fixed income. Coursework is paired with experiential learning, and students participate in real-world consulting projects. The career center at WashU provides career advising and connections to the business world for post-graduation opportunities.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Culver-Stockton University

Culver-Stockton College in Canton offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting and Finance for working professionals that can be completed 100% online. The AACSB-accredited curriculum consists of 33 credit hours and is designed to challenge students to evaluate quantitative and qualitative data while communicating results and recommendations effectively. Foundational courses may be completed online for students who did not fulfill the program’s prerequisites in their undergraduate studies. Required MBA coursework includes Financial Reporting and Analysis; Taxation of Business Entities; and Data Analysis for Decision Making. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. Students are admitted to the program based on a combination of successful undergraduate academic performance and work experience. Prospective students can apply to the program every eight weeks throughout the year.

Missouri State University

At Missouri State University’s (MSU) College of Business, students can earn an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance. The AACSB-accredited program prepares students to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam and students can choose from two tracks: Corporate and Investments or Financial Planning. Students must complete 29-33 credit hours of major requirements, including Principles of Risk Management and Insurance; Financial Markets and Intermediaries; and Financial Planning. MSU’s Career Center provides students with a database of current job openings in finance as well as job application support. A number of merit- and need-based scholarships and grants are available to qualifying students. Graduate certificates are available in specialties such as Finance, Financial Awareness, Financial Analysis, Quantitative Enterprise Risk Management, and Insurance.

University of Missouri

The Robert J. Trulaske College of Business at the University of Missouri in Columbia offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Finance. The 30-credit hour program is aimed at both working financial professionals and recent bachelor’s degree graduates who want to grow their financial knowledge and analytical decision-making skills. Students can finish their MS in Finance in one year on a full-time basis or in two years as part-time students. The program is available completely online or as a combination of online and on-campus classes. Students can choose to participate in a week-long study-abroad experience, visiting international businesses and attending classes taught by the host-country university. Through the completion of specific elective courses, students can earn an optional concentration in financial management, investment management, or real estate. Graduates from the online program are prepared for jobs such as financial analyst, investment banker, and investment portfolio manager.

Missouri Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

Missouri is home to many national and international financial institutions. Large financial companies such as Edward Jones, H&R Block, and Mastercard Worldwide have corporate centers in the state. Other investment and financial services companies like Wells Fargo Advisors and American Century Investments have headquarters in Missouri as well. The urban centers of St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia host many of the state’s largest companies. Missouri is the only state in the United States to have two Federal Reserve Banks, one in Kansas City and one in St. Louis. With the many opportunities available, graduates with advanced finance degrees are competitive applicants for jobs in the finance industry in Missouri.

In Missouri, financial examiner positions are projected to grow at a rate of 5.4% through 2028, lower than the national average of 7.1%.⁸ The nonmetropolitan area of Southeast Missouri has the third-highest concentration of financial examiners in the country.^9,10 Personal financial advisor positions in Missouri are expected to stay flat through 2028, much lower growth than the projected national average of 7%.⁸ In the nonmetropolitan area of Central Missouri, personal financial advisors earn the fourth-highest annual salary in the nation for this occupational group, with an average of $134,240 yearly compared to the national average of $119,290.¹¹ In the same area, financial examiners earn the fourth-highest salary of all nonmetropolitan areas with an average of $76,890 yearly; however, this is lower than the national average of $92,330.¹⁰ Loan officers in Columbia, Missouri earn an average annual wage of $77,770, the fifth-highest average salary of all metropolitan areas in the nation, on par with the national average of $76,200.¹² Positions for loan officers are expected to grow at a rate of 8.1% through 2028, slightly higher than the projected national average of 7.7%.⁸

Missouri Finance Salary Information

Occupation	Number Employed8	Average Salary8
Business and Financial Operations Occupations	150,380	$70,770
Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists	7,290	$86,500
Financial Examiners	N.Av.	$84,050
Financial Managers	8,380	$135,120
Loan Officers	7,270	$77,980
Personal Financial Advisors	4,440	$93,660

Finance Associations in Missouri

• Government Finance Officers of Missouri (GFOA): Professional association of government finance officers that supports continuing education and advocacy for the industry.
• Kansas City Association for Financial Professionals (KCAFP): Holds seminars, educational opportunities, and events for networking with other members.
• Missouri Society of Accountants (MSA): Organization for accountants in the private and public sectors in Missouri that promotes continuing learning opportunities and ethics standards for accountants in the state.

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, Missouri: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mo.htm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Examiners: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132061.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Loan Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132072.htm