Finance Programs and Careers in Nevada
This guide provides information about post-secondary finance programs in Nevada. In addition to specialized undergraduate and graduate finance-related programs, Nevada schools offer Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees with concentrations in Finance. Students can choose from full-time programs, part-time programs, and fully online degrees. Below you will find profiles of select finance programs available in Nevada. Graduates can find opportunities in various finance professions and can learn more with the salary and employment information compiled on this page.
Quick Facts
- There are 4 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in Nevada.1
- No schools offer a certificate in finance.1
- 1 school offers an associate’s degree in finance.1
- 3 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 Nevada
- Select Schools in Nevada with Finance Degrees
- Nevada Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
- Finance Associations in Nevada
Nevada Finance Program Comparison
We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in Nevada 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.
| School | Accreditation | Finance Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Southern Nevada | ACBSP | Certificate-Real Estate; AS-Real Estate | N.Av. | 12% | — | $4,972 | $7,328 |
| Sierra Nevada University | — | BS-Business Administration (BSBA): Finance and Economics; BS-Business Administration (BSBA): Global Business Management | N.Av. | 45% | Yes | $15,000 | $29,242 |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas | AACSB | BS-Business Administration (BSBA): Finance; BS-Business Administration (BSBA): Real Estate; Minor-Finance; Minor-Real Estate; Minor-Risk Management and Insurance; MBA-Finance; MS-Quantitative Finance | N.Av. | 45% | — | $12,500 | $12,403 |
| University of Nevada-Reno | AACSB | BS-Business Administration: Finance; MBA-Finance; MS-Finance | N.Av. | 61% | — | $12,000 | $16,253 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in Nevada
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.
- University of Nevada-Reno (#576; $995,00)
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas (#672; $970,000)
- College of Southern Nevada (#1,890; $768,000)
- Sierra Nevada College (#1,967; $756,000)7
Select Schools in Nevada with Finance Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Lee School of Business at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) hosts a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Finance major. The four-year full-time program trains students to understand the financial implications of business decisions. Concentrations are available in Financial Management, Investments, or Financial Services. The BSBA degree requires 120 credit hours to graduate, of which 72 to 76 credits are taken towards the Finance major. Finance courses include Intermediate Managerial Finance, Investments, and Portfolio Management. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all business courses to graduate. Applicants to UNLV must have a high school diploma and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses in math, English, science, and social studies or an acceptable ACT or SAT score. Students may also be interested in UNLV’s BSBA in Real Estate or further study in one of UNLV’s advanced graduate programs.
University of Nevada-Reno
The University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Finance that teaches the skills necessary to perform investment research and analysis and weigh in on fiscal matters. Students of the BSBA in Finance need to acquire 120 credit hours to complete the four-year degree. The curriculum requires students to complete 19 classes towards the Finance major and choose between a concentration in either Accounting or Economics. Upper-level finance classes include Financial Management Theory and Practice; Financial Derivatives; and Portfolio Management. Undergraduate admission to UNR requires a weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, the completion of prerequisite courses in English, science, math, and social studies, and a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to 120 credits, graduation from the BSBA in Finance requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a minimum 2.0 GPA in all major coursework. Finance graduates may be interested in pursuing further studies in UNR’s MBA in Finance or MS in Finance.
Traditional Master’s Programs
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Lee School of Business offers a Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSQF) that can develop the skills necessary to analyze large financial data sets and prepare students to take the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam. The 30-credit hour program can be completed in as little as 12 months when taken full-time. Courses in the STEM-designated program are split between six core courses and three elective courses. Finance courses include Corporate Finance Modeling, Advanced Corporate Finance, Econometrics, and a capstone course that will group students to work on a company or research project. Graduation from the program requires at least 30 credit hours and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA or higher, a grade of at least a “B” in prerequisite courses, and a satisfactory score on the GMAT or GRE. MSQF students may also be interested in a dual degree with Lee’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
University of Nevada-Reno
The University of Nevada-Reno’s College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with an emphasis in Finance designed for working professionals seeking advancement. Classes are held in the evenings to accommodate full- or part-time enrollment, with most students able to complete the degree in under three years. The MBA program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours to complete and up to 51 credit hours for students without the necessary prerequisite coursework. Coursework is split between 18 credits of business “breadth” coursework, a three-credit course in integration, and nine credits towards the finance emphasis. Finance courses cover such topics as derivatives, commercial banking, and securities. Further specializations are available in Corporate Finance or Investments. Admission to the program requires two years of professional experience, an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, and an acceptable GMAT or GRE score. Testing may be waived for applicants with a graduate or professional degree, a professional business license, or a graduate certificate.
Online and Hybrid Programs
University of Nevada-Reno
The College of Business Administration at the University of Nevada-Reno offers an online Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree developed for working professionals seeking to balance graduate study with full-time employment. The online program follows a cohort format with students completing the degree in two years. Students must have five or more years of professional work experience to enroll. EMBA students must complete 36 credit hours: 21 credits of core business courses and 15 credits of “breadth” courses. Core courses include Economics of the Firm; Financial Reporting and Analysis; Financial Management; and Production and Operations Management. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA, five years of professional experience, and a minimum GMAT score of 500 or score of 150 on the verbal and the quantitative reasoning sections of the GRE. Testing waivers are available to those with a professional or graduate degree, a professional license, or a graduate certificate.
Nevada Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
Nevada is home to a wide range of companies that employ finance professionals. The state hosts utility companies such as Southwest Gas Holdings and NV Energy, and healthcare companies like Reno-based Renown Health. Construction companies such as Aderholt Specialty, as well as business services companies like GES Global have headquarters in the state. Nevada is also home to many companies and corporations tied to the event and gaming industries, with offices for companies like Production Resource Group, MGM Resorts, and many others concentrated in Las Vegas. Finance students may find opportunities to work for one of these companies in a financial role after graduation.
In Nevada, financial managers have the highest employment and salaries among financial professions with 6,060 finance managers employed at an average annual salary of $121,520.8 Financial manager positions in Nevada are projected to increase by 29.8% through 2028, faster than the national projected rate of 16%.9 Financial analyst positions are projected to grow by 16.7% over that time, more than twice the national rate of 6.2%.9 The fastest-growing financial role in Nevada is that of financial examiner, with positions expected to grow by 33.3% through 2028.9 Personal financial advisors in the state earn an average annual salary of $88,600, lower than the national average of $119,290.8,10 There are 3,240 loan officers in Nevada with an average salary of $77,680 annually, which is just above the average national salary of $76,200.8,11 According to Projections Central, finance jobs across all positions in Nevada are projected to grow faster than the national rate.9
Nevada Finance Job Information
| Occupation | Number Employed8 | Average Salary8 |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 53,780 | $69,100 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other | 1,630 | $76,220 |
| Financial Examiners | N.Av. | $67,960 |
| Financial Managers | 6,060 | $121,520 |
| Loan Officers | 3,240 | $77,680 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 990 | $88,600 |
Finance Associations in Nevada
- Nevada Society of Certified Public Accountants (NVCPA): Society devoted to promoting standards in the accounting field and providing continued education and networking opportunities for members.
- Southern Nevada Association for Financial Professionals (SNAFP): Organization for professionals in the finance industry that organizes educational lectures,networking events and continuing education courses required for the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation.
- Nevada Bankers Association (NBA): Trade association for the banking industry in the state that organizes advocacy work on behalf of the state’s banks and provides education and networking opportunities for members.
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, Nevada: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nv.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, Loan Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132072.htm