Finance Programs in Connecticut

Finance Schools in Connecticut

Total Finance Programs:22
Online Finance Programs:22
Admissions Requirements:Moderate
Average Tuition:$16,477
Average Scholarship Package:$7,377
Average Grant Amount:$8,838
Average Housing Cost:$6,729
Average Gender Ratio:43% Men / 56% Women
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio:19:1

Presently, there are 22 colleges and universities that offer finance programs in Connecticut. Twenty of those colleges offer Associate’s degrees in finance, while 13 have Bachelor’s programs in finance. Ten schools offer Master’s degrees in finance, while nine programs have PhD programs in finance.

Tuition in Connecticut is fairly reasonable; the average tuition is $16,477. Grant amounts are also very high, with an average grant award of $8,838. The three most renowned finance programs in Connecticut are at Central Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, and University of Hartford. Central Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University offer Bachelor’s programs in finance, while the University of Hartford has a Masters-level program.

Educational Information:

Many of the finance programs in Connecticut have specific concentrations or areas that they specialize in. Students who are pursuing an Associate’s degree can pursue one that focuses on financial and insurance services at Capital Community College. Students take classes in Managerial Finance, Statistics with Technology, and Principles of Accounting. An Associate’s degree takes approximately two or two and a half years to complete, as many of the programs require more than the typical 60 credits. Community colleges like Capital Community College can transfer to four-year universities to pursue a Bachelor’s degree and have all of their credits transfer.

Bachelor’s programs in finance also have a variety of concentrations student can choose to study. Choosing a concentration in finance might add a semester to the four-year, 120 credit Bachelor’s degree in finance. At institutions like Central Connecticut State University, students can choose from specializations in Banking, Investments, or Risk Management/Insurance. Classes in a Bachelor’s finance program include Principles of Investments, Financial Markets and Institutions, Bank Management, Securities Analysis, and Financial Derivatives.

Another program that offers difference finance concentrations is Quinnipiac University. Rather than concentrations, the college calls them Unique Learning Tracks. Students can choose between Investment Management, Wealth Management and Financial Planning, and Corporate Finance. Classes included in this program include Public Finance, International Finance, Derivative Securities, and Financial Modeling. In general, Bachelor’s degrees in finance offer students everything they need to take the exams required for licensure in major financial careers.

Master’s programs in Connecticut, such as the one offered at Fairfield University, provide students the opportunity to focus on a specific field in finance. Fairfield University offers study in the areas of Investments, Corporate Finance, and Banking. This degree is recommended for students who want to become Chartered Financial Analysts, Certified Financial Managers, Certified Financial Planners, or Financial Risk Managers. A Master’s degree in finance is usually around 30 credits and takes from one and a half years to two years for a full-time student to complete.

Finance students in Connecticut have unique scholarships available to them. The Healthcare Financial Management Association-Connecticut Chapter provides scholarships of $1,000-$4,000 every year for Connecticut finance students. Seniors and juniors can apply for the Andy Walker Jr. Award and Scholarship, while all finance majors can apply for the Marvin Anthony Scholarship.

Licensing Information:

Students who go on to become investment advisors must earn their investment advisor representative license. After taking one of two exams—the Series 65 or 66 exam—finance professionals must register with the Department of Banking. The exam requirement may be waived for people who hold other financial licenses, including people who are Chartered Financial Analysts, Personal Financial Specialists, or Chartered Life Underwriters.

Many certifications, included Financial Risk Management, are optional. While a financial professional does not have to become licensed, they may choose to pursue licensure. This, and other fields, require five years of experience in finance before students can call themselves certified.

Employment Information:

The number of jobs for finance graduates is growing every year in Connecticut. This is because Connecticut is #1 in the country for average personal income, so there is lots of money that needs to be invested. This offers a big opportunity for financial planners and analysts.

As of May 2020, finance professionals in Connecticut earned the following average salaries:

  • Financial analysts: $105,020
  • Financial managers: $170,500
  • Personal financial advisors: $137,160

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial analysts is projected to increase by 5.3%, resulting in about 670 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial managers is projected to increase by 15.4%, resulting in about 1,910 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s personal financial advisors is projected to increase by 5.3%, resulting in about 410 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Large investment firms in Connecticut are some of the biggest finance employers. These firms include Barker Gilmore, Edelman & Associates, Northwestern Mutual, First Command Financial Services, and the Hartford.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for financial analysts, financial managers, and personal financial advisors. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2021.

Job growth projections for financial and investment analysts, financial managers, personal financial advisors sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database and based on state-specific information (2018-2028)