Finance Programs in Texas

Finance Schools in Texas

Total Finance Programs:77
Online Finance Programs:68
Admissions Requirements:Moderate
Average Tuition:$13,227
Average Scholarship Package:$5,415
Average Grant Amount:$7,708
Average Housing Cost:$4,448
Average Gender Ratio:45% Men / 54% Women
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio:25:1

The large state of Texas has 78 colleges and universities that have finance programs. Twenty-five schools have Associate’s-level degrees in finance, and 59 schools have Bachelor’s degrees in finance. Master’s degrees in finance are available at 52 Texas schools, and students who want to earn a PhD can get one at 38 Texas schools.

Average tuition at a Texas institution is $13,227. The higher average tuition cost is due to many of the schools being in or near large cities. The average grant amount is $7,661, and the average scholarship package is $5,353, making a finance degree much more affordable.

Three popular finance programs in Texas are at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Southern Methodist University.

Educational Information:

The first step to earning a finance degree is deciding which type of degree you want—Associate’s or Bachelor’s. An Associate’s degree takes two years, while a Bachelor’s degree takes four years. Graduates with Associate’s degree in finance can work in many entry-level finance careers. Bachelor’s degree holders may work in higher-level careers that pay ore. The tuition at a technical/community college is typically considerably lower than the tuition at a four-year college.
Associate’s degrees in finance, such as the one offered at Clarendon College, include a wide variety of finance courses. This gives students a well-rounded basic education in finance. Students also take general education courses in humanities, English, and social sciences. Many four-year colleges and universities will accept transfer credits from a two-year college.

Bachelor’s degrees in finance give students a more intensive finance education. Some schools allow students to focus their finance studies on international finance, corporate finance, personal financial planning, and other areas. Courses at this level include Investments, Mergers and Acquisitions, and International Finance. Many students choose to complete an internship in order to get work experience. After completing a Bachelor’s degree, students either begin a career path in finance or go to graduate school to study a related field.

Master’s degrees in finance are about two years and thirty credits in duration. They take so long because most students who pursue a Master’s degree in finance are already working, so they go to school part-time. Students at this level may focus on business administration and finance, international finance, corporate finance, or other specialties in finance.

Licensing Information:

While many finance careers do not have any special licensing requirements, there are certain careers that require applicants to become licensed and pass exams. The main three licensed financial careers in Texas are financial planners, stockbrokers, and investment advisors.

Financial planners who sell life insurance and fixed annuities in Texas must be licensed with the Texas Department of Insurance. Applicants must pass a licensing exam and then keep up with 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Stockbrokers in Texas receive their license from the Texas State Securities Board. Prior to licensure, stockbrokers must pass the Series 63 or 66 exam. In addition, they have to pass an exam that is specific to the type of products that a stockbroker will be selling. They must take a training program two years after licensure and then every three years to maintain their license.

To work as an investment advisor in Texas, you must register with the Securities Board. Two exams are required of applicants: a general securities exam and an exam on Texas Securities Law. The exams must be taken separately.

Employment Information:

There are many employment opportunities for finance professionals in Texas. Major finance employers here include BBVA Compass, Sensus Financial, First Global Capital Corporation, ViewPoint Bank, LyondellBasell, and Smart Financial Credit Union.

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

  • Financial analysts: $87,870
  • Financial managers: $148,860
  • Personal financial advisors: $99,340

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial analysts is projected to increase by 19%, resulting in about 3,160 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 30%, resulting in about 4,920 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 25.3%, resulting in about 1,650 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

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)