Finance Programs and Careers in West Virginia

This page provides information about finance degrees in West Virginia, which offers many different program options. Students may pursue programs such as a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance, as well as undergraduate degrees such as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with concentrations in Finance. After graduation, those with a degree in finance may find opportunities to work in finance in one of the many financial institutions or businesses located in the state. Continue reading below to learn more information about degree options, programs, and careers in finance in West Virginia.

Quick Facts

• There are 13 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in West Virginia.¹
• No schools offer a certificate in finance.¹
• 2 schools offer an associate’s degree in finance.¹
• 11 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.¹
• 2 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.¹
• No schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.²
• No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.³
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.⁴
• No schools 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 West Virginia
• Select Schools in West Virginia with Finance Degrees
• West Virginia Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
• Finance Associations in West Virginia

West Virginia Finance Program Comparison

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

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.

• West Virginia University (#656; $976,000)
• University of Charleston (#1,210; $860,000)
• Shepherd University (#1,256; $853,000)
• Bethany College (#1,571; $813,000)
• Marshall University (#1,935; $762,000)
• West Liberty University (#1,950; $759,000)
• Davis & Elkins College (#1,967; $756,000)
• Concord University (#2,494; $692,000)
• Fairmont State University (#2,509; $691,000)
• West Virginia University at Parkersburg (#2,844; $652,000)

Select Schools in West Virginia with Finance Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

University of Charleston

The University of Charleston’s Department of Business and Leadership provides a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with a concentration in Financial Planning. The program’s objective is to prepare students with marketable skill sets involving theory-based financial knowledge and strong analytical tools. The Financial Planning major requires 120 credit hours of study, including 45 credit hours of business administration core courses, 24 credits of Financial Planning courses, and 51 credits of liberal arts and other electives. Courses in the major include Fundamentals of Financial Planning; Financial Counseling and Communication; Risk Management; Investments; Retirement Planning; Estate Planning; Federal Income Taxes for Individuals; and Financial Planning Capstone. Career opportunities in financial planning include investment advisers and accounting and tax investment advisors as well as roles in discount brokerage companies, property and casualty insurance, and research in government and academia.

West Virginia State University

The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Department of Economics, Finance, and Marketing offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in Finance. The degree is composed of 120 credit hours. Core Finance courses include Financial Management; Intermediate Accounting; Investments; Problems in Corporate Finance; Business Forecasting and Fluctuations; Money, Banking, and Monetary Theory; and International Finance. Select business courses include Business Finance; Principles of Marketing; Human Resources Management; Business Statistics; and Organization and Management. The program focuses on preparing students with the tools and skills needed to work efficiently in various business environments. Graduates from WVSU have found careers as bank loan officers, insurance professionals, real estate professionals, commercial finance managers, certified financial planners, money managers, corporate risk analysts, capital budgeting managers, and Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs).

Traditional Master’s Programs

Marshall University

The Lewis College of Business at Marshall University offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Finance. The MBA degree consists of 36 credit hours with two electives dedicated to Finance. The coursework emphasizes applying theory to real-world situations while teaching students management tools, critical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving strategies. Core courses include Financial Management; Organizational Behavior; Management Information Systems; Principles of Finance; and Business Policy and Strategy. MBA faculty are composed of educators with backgrounds and experience in the fields of business, accounting, finance, management, marketing, law, communications, and organizational behavior. All program courses are offered in the evenings at the Huntington and South Charleston campuses. Applicants without undergraduate business degrees may need to complete additional foundational courses before beginning the program.

West Virginia University

The College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University (WVU) offers a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree program that is ideal for professionals with finance industry experience or for recent graduates with undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance, engineering, mathematics, economics, or other sciences. The 38-credit hour curriculum can be completed in one to two years, depending on a student’s schedule, and students are prepared to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) examination upon graduation. Core classes include Quantitative Finance, Derivative Securities, and Portfolio Management. After completing the foundational curriculum, students interested in careers in the energy sector have an option to specialize in Energy Finance. Work experience is preferred but not required; students without significant work experience complete an internship as part of the program. Some students may need to take additional prerequisite courses, available online through the university, before starting the program. WVU also offers a dual MSF and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, as well as an MBA with a Finance emphasis.

Online and Hybrid Programs

BridgeValley Community and Technical College

Through BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s Department of Business, Legal, Creative Entrepreneurship, and Technical Studies, students can earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Finance, 2+2. The 2+2 transfer track allows students to seamlessly apply BridgeValley credits towards earning a baccalaureate degree with partnering colleges and universities. This 60-credit hour degree is offered 80% online (with 47 credit hours earned online). Through projects and exams, students will be expected to express proficiency in accounting terminology and financial statement preparation, apply principles of budgeting, and demonstrate the ability to perform financial analysis. Courses include Personal Finance; Financial Accounting; Managerial Accounting; Financial Management; Business Law; and Analyzing Financial Statements. Select courses are taken online through the American Institute of Banking. The Finance program prepares students for entry-level positions in corporate money management, corporate finance, banking, lending, and investments.

Mountwest Community and Technical College

Mountwest Community and Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Banking and Finance. The degree is composed of 60 credit hours and offers many of the required courses online. Students will learn essential banking and finance skills related to communications, analytics, decision-making, customer service, interpersonal, and computer skills. Courses offered include Fundamentals of Computers; Business Finance; Fundamentals of Marketing; Managerial Accounting; Interpersonal Communications; Financial Accounting; and Applications of Spreadsheets. The program is designed for students who are interested in careers within financial institutions. Potential careers include beginning personal banker, management trainee, vault teller, collections assistant, teller supervisor, trust administrative assistant, loan assistant, and credit evaluation assistant. Applicants with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for admission. Applicants without a GED or a high school diploma may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

West Virginia Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

West Virginia hosts many career opportunities for graduates with finance degrees. The biggest cities in the state include Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Morgantown. Many large energy companies have presences in West Virginia, such as Consol Energy, American Electric Power, and FirstEnergy Corporation. Other large companies, from healthcare organizations to pharmaceutical corporations, offer positions in financial roles ideal for finance graduates. West Virginia is also home to a number of statewide and regional banks and financial services companies, such as WesBanco, United Bankshares, Summit Financial Group, and Premier Financial Bancorp.

West Virginia has a relatively low average cost of living, so many state-level average salaries are lower than national averages.⁸ In addition, the projected rate of growth of many financial positions in West Virginia is lower than national projections.⁹ Graduates may find positions as personal financial advisors, for example, earning an average of $95,780 in the state (compared to $119,290 nationally).^8,10 Financial examiners in West Virginia earn an average salary of $61,690.¹¹ Financial manager roles are projected to grow by 18.1% in West Virginia, and these positions earn an average annual salary of $99,620 in the state.^8,9,12

West Virginia Finance Salary Information

Finance Associations in West Virginia

• West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (WVCPA): Professional organization of Certified Public Accountants that supports accountancy education and industry networking.
• West Virginia Bankers Association (WVBA): Association of state and community banks in West Virginia that organizes professional development classes, webinars, member networking events, and industry policy advocacy.
• West Virginia Healthcare Financial Management Association (WV HFMA): Hosts educational industry events such as seminars, conferences, and webinars for those in strategic planning, financial, and operational management.

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. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, West Virginia: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wv.htm
9. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Examiners: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132061.htm
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Managers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113031.htm