Finance Programs in Utah

Finance Schools in Utah

Total Finance Programs:12
Online Finance Programs:12
Admissions Requirements:Moderate
Average Tuition:$9,063
Average Scholarship Package:$3,587
Average Grant Amount:$5,892
Average Housing Cost:$3,365
Average Gender Ratio:45% Men / 54% Women
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio:17:1

Utah has a wide selection of colleges and universities. Twelve schools have finance degrees; of those schools, seven have Associate’s degrees in finance. Ten schools offer Bachelor’s degrees in finance, and the same number of schools have Master’s degrees in finance. PhD degrees in finance are available at three Utah schools.

Average tuition at a Utah college or university is $9,063. Tuition is usually lower in western states. Even with the low tuition cost, there are plenty of scholarship and grant opportunities for finance students.

There are many remarkable finance schools in Utah, including Brigham Young University, University of Utah, and Utah State University.

Educational Information:

Since there are so many strong finance programs in Utah, any degree level you choose will help you further your career. Students who want a shorter time commitment may choose to get an Associate’s degree, which only takes two years.

Schools like Salt Lake Community College and Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College specialize in Associate’s degrees. Students at this level take a few general education courses and a wide variety of finance courses, like Corporate Bookkeeping and Introduction to Finance.

If you are willing to put a little bit more time into school, a Bachelor’s degree may be what you are looking for. Bachelor’s degree holders have the best career prospects, as a Bachelor’s degree educates you in many different finance fields. Some colleges offer specialties within their finance program. Most schools, including Utah Valley University, do not have specialties within the finance program. Students can concentrate on one area by choosing finance electives that fit into their area of interest. Full-time students can complete a Bachelor’s degree in four years. After completing a Bachelor’s degree, students may start a career in finance or start graduate school in a related field.

Master’s degrees in finance are very valuable. Many large universities, like the University of Utah, offer finance Master’s degrees. Most students go part-time and complete their degree in two years. However, by going full-time, a student can graduate in one year. There are two ways to earn a finance Master’s degree: a Master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance or a Master’s degree in finance. Both types of degrees have their advantages; students need to consider their career goals when choosing which degree is right for them. Many graduate programs include the necessary coursework for licensed financial careers.

Licensing Information:

Utah has many financial careers that do not require licensure or examination. However, there are three major financial careers that do require you to be licensed: investment advisors, stockbrokers, and financial planners.

To become licensed as an investment advisor, you have to take the Series 65 exam. You can also meet the examination requirement by taking the Series 66 and Series 7 examinations. You can then register with the Utah Division of Securities.

Stockbrokers in Utah are regulated by the Division of Securities. Prior to being licensed, stockbrokers must complete the Series 63 or Series 66 exam. They also have to take an exam on the products they are going to sell. Ongoing education requirements include a refresher course two years after licensure. After taking the course for the first time, stockbrokers have to take it every three years.

Financial planners that sell fixed annuities and life insurance in Utah register with the Department of Insurance. After initial licensure, you must complete 24 hours of ongoing education every two years.

Employment Information:

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

  • Financial analysts: $71,100
  • Financial managers: $113,310
  • Personal financial advisors: $90,670

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial analysts is projected to increase by 29.2%, resulting in about 460 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 44.4%, resulting in about 1,180 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 12.2%, resulting in about 300 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

There are many large finance employers in Utah. Some of the biggest employers include Fisher Investments, Security Finance Corporation, Pacific Western Bank, and GE Capital.

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)