Finance
Major, Minor
Program Overview
You probably relate: We rarely have as much money as we'd like to meet all our needs. Companies are no different. Our finance majors learn how to help corporations or organizations meet their financial goals. You'll use popular software and simulate real-world scenarios as part of this program — ideal preparation to become an analyst, trader or finance executive.
Program Snapshot
Why This Program & What You'll Learn
No business — regardless how innovative it may be — can succeed without money. Finance experts help businesses manage their money, make more and meet ongoing objectives. The subject is so critical that more CEOs have a background in finance than in any other discipline.
CMU's finance major prepares you for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, asset management or commercial banking. Classes cover topics such as accounting, capital markets and financial instruments.
You'll understand the principles of investing and portfolio management by graduation. You'll also be able to:
- Calculate the value of cash flows and financial assets.
- Understand the role of financial institutions.
- Analyze corporate financial statements.
- Explain capital budgeting.
- Assess the riskiness of capital structure decisions and how to return funds to investors.
- Understand the valuation and trading practices for derivatives.
- Learn how multinational companies manage investment and financing on a global scale.
You can also minor in finance. You'll learn basic topics such as accounting and economics and then choose electives to gain more focus such as personal financial planning, investing and real estate.
Program Highlights
CMU finance students:
- Have access to 12 Bloomberg terminals — the gold standard for financial data.
- Manage more than $1 million in assets in two portfolios.
- Excel at the Bloomberg Aptitude Test. Employers use the exam to assess your analytical reasoning and how well you know investment banking, global markets and more.
- Network with alumni and employers and participate in intercollegiate investment competitions.
- Earn scholarships, internships and intensive training through the Michigan Finance Scholars program.
- Can apply to live and learn in the Business Residential College program as a freshman.
- Earn a scholarship available to students who are family members of insurance agents of Citizens Insurance Co. or its affiliates. Other scholarships are also available to finance majors with junior standing.
Careers & Outcomes
Finance majors at CMU are prepared for careers in finance, investments, banking and management.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Operations Supervisor | $54,300 |
| Securities/Commodities Trader | $62,910 |
| Risk Analyst | $77,435 |
| International Tax Analyst | $79,881 |
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CMU tops 200-plus schools in banking competition
CMU’s Jake Aymen and Eric Scott beat out more than 10,000 participants from more than 200 schools — including world-class universities such as Cambridge, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, National University of Singapore, HEC Paris and more — to win the $6,000 grand prize in the 2019-20 National Investment Banking Competition of Canada.