Business Administration
Finance Degree
Enter one of the highest-paying fields with a finance degree from KU.
OFFERED AS:
Major
FORMAT:
In-Person
CREDITS REQUIRED:
120
Gain the expertise to work at any of the nation’s top financial institutions with a finance degree from Kutztown University, a CFA affiliated program.
This Bachelor of Science in Business Administration teaches you how to help businesses make and spend their money wisely. These are the financial skills companies are looking for when you graduate.
So, are you ready to work for financial leaders like Vanguard, Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs?
Why Choose Kutztown to Become a Finance Major
Our BSBA in finance degree offers a strong foundation in real-life business practices. The finance major provides you with financial principles, investment strategies and the analytical tools needed to make important decisions about managing money.
But that’s not all.
Kutztown University goes above and beyond to give you the best college experience, one that is worth paying for.
Top 5 Reasons Students Choose KU:
- Affordability = less loans to pay off
- Caring professors = professional guidance
- Internship opportunities = career readiness
- Beautiful campus = better college experience
- Campus diversity = more comfortability
Finance Students Attend 2022 Community Bank Case Study Competition
Pictured above from left to right are: Dave Hunsicker (chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of New Tripoli Bank), Brittany Arentz, Margaret Gehman, Meg Davis, Cameron Baumgardner, Trevor Spaide, and John Hayes (executive vice president and chief lending officer of New Tripoli Bank).
A team of finance students from the College of Business met with executives from New Tripoli Bank to interview them for the 2022 Community Bank Case Study Competition.
The KU team was advised by Dr. John Walker, professor of finance, who stated, "KU has had terrific success in the Bank Competition in the past, and I expect this year's team will also do well."
During the visit with bank executives, students discussed many topics, including recent developments in the banking industry and the outlook for small community banks over the next ten years.
Finance Major Highlights
So, you want to know what skills you’ll gain as a finance major at Kutztown University? Our coursework covers it all, from financial management and economics to financial forecasting and global markets.
We’re here to maximize your potential by teaching you how to do the following:
- Learn the most important financial principles, such as capital budgeting and structure.
- Evaluate stocks, bonds and portfolio management.
- Become fluent in reading financial statements, income statements, balance sheets and cash flow analysis.
- Understand micro- and macroeconomics and the impact of economic policies on financial performance.
- Identify, measure and manage financial risks, including credit risks, market risks and operational risks
- Use statistical tools and programming languages like Excel, R and Python
- Understand legal and ethical responsibilities in financial management
- Learn about global economic trends, including exchange rates, foreign investment and international trade
Finance students have the chance to join the A.I.M. Program, an Applied Investment Program founded by Dr. Jonathan Kramer. The program provides hands-on experience managing real money. Since its inception, A.I.M. has empowered many students to achieve their career goals, securing positions at top firms and fostering a strong network of successful alumni. A unique opportunity to gain real-world experience and connect with influential professionals in finance.
Qian Sun, Professor, Business AdministrationStudent Learning Outcomes
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Business Administration: Finance (BSBA)
- Estimate and Evaluate: Identify the inputs needed to value a financial asset and apply a valuation methodology to estimate an asset's intrinsic value.
- Summarize and Interpret: Summarize the historic risk-versus-return relationship for financial assets and interpret various measures of risk and reward.
- Assess and Justify: Assess the inputs needed and justify the decision-making methodologies used to determine if resources should be allocated to an investment opportunity.
- Justify and Consider: Justify the purpose and consider the operations of financial markets and institutions.
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Business Administration BSBA (Core)
- Communication
a. Oral Communication: communicate effectively by speaking clearly, concisely, and convincingly, using appropriate business conventions for the field of study.
b. Written Communication: communicate effectively by writing clearly, concisely, and convincingly, using appropriate business conventions for the field of study. - Interpersonal Skills: demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, especially working in teams.
- Critical Thinking
a. Data Analysis: analyze data by using appropriate technology.
b. Decision Making: analyze issues critically and make relevant decisions by identifying and assessing the significance of key factors and assumptions. - Functional Knowledge: identify, define, and apply current fundamental concepts, principles, and practices in the disciplines of business, including globalization.
- Societal Impact
a. Ethical Judgment: identify ethical breaches and how they adversely impact stakeholders.
b. Social Responsibility: evaluate how business decisions impact the welfare of society.
- Communication
Finance Major FAQ
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What jobs can I get with a BSBA in Finance?
Thinking about earning a BSBA in finance degree from Kutztown University? The finance major at KU prepares you for a highly rewarding career with a competitive salary.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), these are the top-paying career paths you can choose from, along with their average national salaries:
- Financial analyst: $96,220
- Investment banker: $295,000
- Financial sales agent: $100,740
- Underwriter: $95,169
- Auditor: $83,825
- Financial examiner: $82,210
- Financial advisor: $95,390
- Portfolio manager: $95,227
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Is an internship required for the finance major at KU?
Yes. An internship is required to complete your BSBA in finance degree.
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What is the difference between a BSBA in finance and personal financial planning?
Finance Degree Personal Financial Planning Degree - Topics: Corporate finance, investment banking, financial markets, risk management and quantitative analysis
- Course materials: Theoretical and analytical aspects of finance, including decision-making for businesses, organizations and investments.
- Goal: Prepares you to manage large-scale financial operations or analyze investments on a macro level
- Topics: Helping individuals and families achieve financial goals through customized strategies
- Course materials: Practical application of budgeting, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance and tax strategies
- Goal: Prepares you to provide one-on-one financial advice tailored to personal needs
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How can I get professional experience as a finance major at KU?
Want to get involved while pursuing your BSBA in finance degree? Feel free to inquire about any of the following student programs here bsba@kutztown.edu.
We highly recommend checking out these involvement opportunities:
- AIM (Applied Investment Management)
- Community Bank Case Competition
- CFA Research Challenge
- GAME (Global Asset Management Education) Forum