Finance
What Finance Graduates Do
Your career in finance could follow two distinct paths. You might work inside a company as a financial manager, spending your days analyzing complex spreadsheets, developing budgets, and advising leadership on major investment and spending decisions. Or, you could become a personal financial advisor, meeting directly with clients to build retirement plans, manage investment portfolios, and provide trusted guidance through major life events.
Many professionals begin in roles like loan officer or analyst to master the fundamentals before advancing. As you gain experience, you can move into high-demand, high-earning positions. The path to becoming a financial manager is growing particularly fast, with top specialists eventually becoming chief executives.
It's true that software and AI are changing this field by automating routine analysis. This shift allows you to focus on the tasks that require a human touch: building client trust, negotiating deals, and making strategic judgments based on experience and intuition. Your success will depend on your ability to interpret data and build relationships—skills that remain essential.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 8 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Finance. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bank Branch Manager
RAPIDS 2059HY |
4288-4760 hrs | Hybrid | $118K – $161,700 – $214K | 14.8% |
|
Bank Branch Manager (Financial Manager, Branch Or Department, Project Management (Banking/Finance)
RAPIDS 2059CB |
Competency | Competency | $118K – $161,700 – $214K | 14.8% |
|
Operations Management
RAPIDS 2060HY |
4318-4820 hrs | Hybrid | $67K – $102,950 – $164K | 4.4% |
|
Operations Management (General And Operations Managers)
RAPIDS 2060CB |
Competency | Competency | $67K – $102,950 – $164K | 4.4% |
|
Risk Consultation
RAPIDS 2061HY |
4288-5735 hrs | Hybrid | $60K – $80,190 – $109K | 3.1% |
|
Risk Consultation (Finacial Quantitative Analysts)
RAPIDS 2061CB |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $80,190 – $109K | 3.1% |
|
Risk Management Analyst (Alternate Title: Risk Management Professional)
RAPIDS 2047CB |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $80,190 – $109K | 3.1% |
|
Teller (Financial)
RAPIDS 1055 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $36K – $39,340 – $46K | -12.9% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Finance
5 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Chicago, IL |
81 76–84 |
$45,261/yr | 102.3x |
| 2 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ |
79 70–83 |
$54,047/yr | 71.6x |
| 3 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD |
65 61–68 |
$40,070/yr | 28.2x |
| 4 | Nova College de Puerto Rico Bayamon, PR |
50 44–53 |
$13,175/yr | — |
| 5 | NUC University Bayamon, PR |
45 39–47 |
$10,587/yr | 12.1x |
Highest Earning Finance Programs
Schools where Finance graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University | $54,047/yr | 79 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College | $45,261/yr | 81 |
| Lake Area Technical College | $40,070/yr | 65 |
| Nova College de Puerto Rico | $13,175/yr | 50 |
| NUC University | $10,587/yr | 45 |
Best ROI for Finance
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Finance.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College | 102.3x | $45,261/yr | 81 |
| Northern Arizona University | 71.6x | $54,047/yr | 79 |
| Lake Area Technical College | 28.2x | $40,070/yr | 65 |
| NUC University | 12.1x | $10,587/yr | 45 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Finance degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.