Bachelor's in Finance Rankings

The Best Bachelor's in Finance Programs in North Carolina for 2027

Key Points: Best Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

  • Wake Forest University ranks #1 in North Carolina on a 95.6 Program Score, with an 89% graduation rate.
  • Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
  • Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, Western Carolina University, ranks #7.
Programs analyzed
9
In-state tuition range
$1,000-$66,470
Average graduation rate
67%
Median salary (BLS)
$88,870

We analyzed 9 business programs in North Carolina on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in finance actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 9 ranked programs in North Carolina runs from $1,000 to $66,470 a year, a $65,470 spread for the same credential.

Wake Forest University tops the list with a 95.6 Program Score on an 89% graduation rate, at $66,470 a year in-state. Across all 9 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 67%, ranging from 38% to 89%. The national median pay in the field is $88,870 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.

Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, Compared by Score

Wake Forest leads at 95.6, and Fayetteville State closes the chart at 61.7. Longer bars rank higher.

Our Methodology for Ranking Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.

The 9 Best Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, Ranked for 2027

The 9 best Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina, ranked by outcomes.

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Nonprofit

95.6 Program Score
Grad rate
89%
Admit rate
22%
In-state
$66,470
Out-of-state
$66,470

A finance major tied to the Pre-Wall Street Career Track and a gateway to the one-year Master of Science in Accountancy.

  • 89% graduation rate
  • Program Score 95.6
  • $66,470 tuition
  • Pre-Wall Street Career Track

The Finance major in the Wake Forest University School of Business prepares students for financial services careers, including portfolio management, investment and commercial banking, and financial consulting. The degree emphasizes a strong concentration in finance supported by accounting concepts beyond the introductory level, and it integrates financial economics, accounting and applied statistics. The page notes that the finance degree is a gateway to the one-year Master of Science in Accountancy and that graduates are encouraged to pursue a certification such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). It strongly recommends a summer internship between junior and senior years. Students are admitted to the undergraduate business program in the sophomore spring semester, and the school lists a Pre-Wall Street Career Track and reports AACSB accreditation.

Wake Forest graduates 89% of its students and admits 22% of applicants, so admission is highly selective. Tuition is $66,470 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The program has a Program Score of 95.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students aiming for investment banking, portfolio management or consulting who want a path to the CFA and an accountancy master's degree. Applicants should be ready for competition both at admission and into the business program.

View Wake Forest University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Elon University

Elon, NC · Nonprofit

88.7 Program Score
Grad rate
84%
Admit rate
66%
In-state
$46,451
Out-of-state
$46,451

Finance majors can enter the 3+1 program, and a student team won the North Carolina CFA Institute Research Challenge title.

  • Program Score 88.7
  • 84% graduation rate
  • $46,451 tuition
  • CFA Research Challenge state title

Elon University offers a finance major that its page describes as allocating resources for an uncertain future using data available today. Career areas named include portfolio management, wealth management, real estate, banking and insurance, and past internships are listed at JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, FactSet and Wells Fargo. The page profiles a 2023 graduate who led a five-student team to the state title in the CFA Institute Research Challenge before becoming a risk analyst at Goldman Sachs. Finance majors can also apply to the Accelerated 3+1 program, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Analytics in four years, with graduate coursework in the fourth year.

The program has a Program Score of 88.7 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Elon admits 66% of applicants, and 84% of students graduate. Tuition is $46,451 for in-state and out-of-state students. The major fits students who want analytical finance training with competitions and internships built in, and who may want to add a graduate degree on a four-year timeline.

View Elon University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

High Point University

High Point, NC · Nonprofit

84.1 Program Score
Grad rate
74%
Admit rate
75%
In-state
$39,714
Out-of-state
$39,714

The finance B.S.B.A. totals 128 credits and includes a dedicated financial modeling course plus electives in derivatives and fixed income.

  • Program Score 84.1
  • 74% graduation rate
  • $39,714 tuition
  • Financial Modeling course

High Point University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance through its Earl N. Phillips School of Business. The page lists a 128-credit plan that includes financial accounting, corporate finance, financial management and a Financial Modeling course, along with business law, economics, marketing, and operations and supply chain. Electives include Investment Analysis, Fixed Income Analysis, Real Estate Investment Analysis, Financial Derivatives, Econometrics and Mathematics of Finance. Students also take a Business Career Boot Camp course. Career paths named include commercial banking, investment banking, financial planning, public accounting, hedge funds and real estate, and the page lists recent graduates hired at firms such as ADP and Ameriprise Financial Services. A minor in finance requires 20 credits.

The program has a Program Score of 84.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. High Point admits 75% of applicants, and 74% of students graduate. Tuition is $39,714 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, as a private university. The curriculum suits students who want a quantitative finance degree with room to specialize in investments or real estate.

View High Point University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

82.7 Program Score
Grad rate
69%
Admit rate
80%
In-state
$3,812
Out-of-state
$19,065

A Belk College of Business finance degree with a Risk Management and Insurance concentration whose students report 100% employment within two months of graduating.

  • 69% graduation rate
  • Program Score 82.7
  • $3,812 in-state tuition
  • Risk Management and Insurance concentration

The B.S.B.A. in Finance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is offered through the Belk College of Business and delivered on campus across 120 credit hours. Students admitted to the college start as Pre-Business majors and declare finance after finishing the progression courses. Four paths are listed: Finance, a Finance and Accounting joint concentration, Finance with Real Estate, and Finance with Risk Management and Insurance. The page highlights the chance to manage a live investment portfolio. For the Risk Management and Insurance concentration, it reports about 50 students completing an internship each year, 100% employed within two months of graduation and nearly 700 completers since 1998. The school also reports AACSB accreditation held for more than 30 years, and strong undergraduates can apply for early entry to graduate programs in economics or financial engineering and fintech.

UNC Charlotte graduates 69% of its students and admits 80% of applicants. In-state tuition is $3,812, compared with $19,065 out of state. The program has a Program Score of 82.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a finance degree with options in banking, real estate or insurance, and who may want to continue to a master's degree through early entry.

View University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Nonprofit

81.1 Program Score
Grad rate
61%
Admit rate
62%
In-state
$43,200
Out-of-state
$43,200

A BBA in Finance in the McColl School of Business with a 3 + 1 pathway into the accelerated MS in Financial Analytics.

  • 61% graduation rate
  • Program Score 81.1
  • $43,200 tuition
  • 3 + 1 MS in Financial Analytics pathway

The BBA in Finance at Queens University of Charlotte is offered through the McColl School of Business and focuses on financial markets, investing and corporate financial practice. Selected courses include Investment Analysis, Financial Markets and Institutions, Intermediate Corporate Finance, and Security and Fixed Income Analysis. The page lists roles such as financial analyst, financial adviser, investment banker, loan officer and financial manager, and says students have earned positions at employers including Ally, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Duke Energy and Siemens. Qualified finance students may receive an invitation to an accelerated pathway into the MS in Financial Analytics, applying formally by the end of sophomore year and completing the pathway in a 3 + 1 format. The school also describes internship and job opportunities connected to the local finance community.

Queens graduates 61% of its students and admits 62% of applicants. Tuition is $43,200 for both in-state and out-of-state students, so residency does not change the price. The program has a Program Score of 81.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a small private campus, a finance major with a clear graduate pathway, and internship access. Families should weigh the tuition against the graduation rate.

View Queens University of Charlotte's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

79.6 Program Score
Grad rate
75%
Admit rate
90%
In-state
$4,242
Out-of-state
$21,875

A BSBA in Finance and Banking in a business college the school reports is AACSB accredited, with exposure to simulations and business professionals.

  • 75% graduation rate
  • Program Score 79.6
  • $4,242 in-state tuition
  • Finance and Banking BSBA, Boone campus

Appalachian State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Banking on its Boone campus, housed in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance within the Walker College of Business. The page says students learn how money is raised and invested, how to manage a company's financial resources, and how capital markets, corporate finance, investments and financial institutions work. Coursework includes models, simulation exercises and interaction with business professionals. The school reports that the Walker College is accredited by AACSB International. Students can use Business Career Services for coaching and resume reviews, and an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's option lets them start graduate study as undergraduates.

Federal data shows a 75% graduation rate and a 90% admit rate. In-state tuition is $4,242 and out-of-state tuition is $21,875. The program earns a Program Score of 79.6 out of 100, which is the basis for its ranking. App State enrolls about 21,570 students. The degree suits students aiming at corporate finance, financial planning, investment banking, insurance or real estate who want a public university price for in-state residents and a broad business foundation alongside the finance coursework.

View Appalachian State University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · online option

73.1 Program Score
Grad rate
60%
Admit rate
82%
In-state
$1,000
Out-of-state
$5,000

Western Carolina University's B.S.B.A. in Finance requires an internship and offers a Personal Financial Planning concentration online.

  • Program Score 73.1
  • $1,000 in-state tuition
  • Required internship
  • Online financial planning concentration

Western Carolina University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance through its College of Business. The 120-credit degree typically takes four years, full or part time, and includes concentrations in Banking Finance, General Finance and Personal Financial Planning. Courses include Introduction to Income Taxation, Financial Statement Analysis, and Monetary and International Economics. All students complete a required internship, and the school notes banks and financial institutions recruit at its annual Financial Services Career Fair. Students in the Financial Planning concentration are eligible to sit for the CFP certification exam, and that concentration can be taken online.

WCU reports a 60% graduation rate and an 82% admit rate. In-state tuition is $1,000 and out-of-state tuition is $5,000. The program holds a Program Score of 73.1 out of 100, the basis for its ranking. It suits students who want a required internship, a choice between banking, corporate and planning tracks, and the option to pursue the CFP exam path, with one concentration available online for those who cannot relocate to Cullowhee.

View Western Carolina University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC · Nonprofit · online option

70.1 Program Score
Grad rate
55%
Admit rate
77%
In-state
$33,770
Out-of-state
$33,770

Gardner-Webb University's Economics and Finance B.S. pairs 36 hours of business core with 24 hours of economics and finance and an online Accelerated MBA option.

  • Program Score 70.1
  • 55% graduation rate
  • $33,770 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
  • Accelerated MBA option

Gardner-Webb University offers a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance in the Broyhill Undergraduate School of Management. The degree includes 36 credit hours of core business courses and 24 hours of Economics and Finance coursework, including required classes in operations and financial management. The page stresses analytical and problem-solving skills, Christian business ethics, and internships at regional and national companies. A 15-hour minor in Economics and Finance is also available. Qualified students can apply to the Accelerated MBA during their junior year or after 60 credit hours, taking up to six hours of graduate coursework that counts toward both degrees. Those graduate courses are taught online in eight-week terms. Listed career areas include research, public administration, credit lending and trusts, and sales.

The Program Score of 70.1 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. Gardner-Webb graduates 55% of its students and admits 77% of applicants. Tuition is $33,770 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits students who want to combine economic theory with financial management, and those who may want to start an MBA before finishing the bachelor's degree.

View Gardner-Webb University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public

61.7 Program Score
Grad rate
38%
Admit rate
82%
In-state
$1,000
Out-of-state
$5,000

Fayetteville State University's Banking and Finance B.S. blends accounting, marketing, management and data analytics courses with finance.

  • Program Score 61.7
  • 82% admit rate
  • $1,000 in-state tuition
  • Finance minor available

Fayetteville State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance through its Department of Accounting, Finance, Healthcare Administration, and Information Systems. The page describes the degree for students planning careers in banking firms and the broader business sector. Depending on career goals, students take courses in accounting, business administration, marketing, finance, management, data analytics and economics. Stated learning outcomes include applying problem-solving methods to financial problems, explaining the role of financial management in firms and the public sector, describing how financial markets and institutions function, and evaluating ethical dilemmas in banking and finance. The department also offers a finance minor. Career paths listed include bank manager, financial analyst, personal financial advisor, loan officer, treasurer and budget analyst.

The Program Score of 61.7 out of 100 is the basis of this program's ranking. Fayetteville State graduates 38% of its students and admits 82% of applicants. Tuition is $1,000 for in-state students and $5,000 for out-of-state students, which keeps the cost low for a bachelor's degree. The program fits students who want a broad business foundation with a finance focus, and who are comfortable in a university where completion rates are lower than at many peers.

View Fayetteville State University's Bachelor's in Finance Program →

Graduation Rates at the Ranked Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

The median school on this list graduates 69% of its students. The highest rates belong to Wake Forest University (89%) and Elon University (84%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.

69% Median graduation rate across 9 schools
89% Highest on the list Wake Forest University
2 Graduate 80% or more of 9 schools
  • 80% and above 2
  • 60% to 79% 5
  • 40% to 59% 1
  • Below 40% 1
  1. #1 Wake Forest University89% graduation rate
  2. #2 Elon University84% graduation rate
  3. #6 Appalachian State University75% graduation rate

Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.

How Selective Are the Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina?

On this list, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Wake Forest University at 22%.

77% Median admit rate across 9 schools
22% Most selective Wake Forest University
  • Admit under 25% 1
  • 50% to 74% 2
  • 75% and above 6
  1. #1 Wake Forest University22% admitted
  2. #5 Queens University of Charlotte62% admitted
  3. #2 Elon University66% admitted

Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.

Public and Private Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

This list holds 4 public and 5 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 76.3 public and 84.1 private nonprofit.

4 Public highest ranked: #4 University of North Carolina at Charlotte
5 Private nonprofit highest ranked: #1 Wake Forest University

Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.

Where the Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina Are

The 9 ranked schools are spread across 8 cities. Charlotte (2) is the only one with more than one ranked school.

8 Cities represented 9 schools
  • Charlotte 2
  • Boiling Springs 1
  • Boone 1
  • Cullowhee 1
  • Elon 1
  • Fayetteville 1

Main campus city as reported to IPEDS.

Campus Size Across the Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

Enrollment on this list runs from 1,599 at Queens University of Charlotte to 31,091 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Of the 9, 2 enroll 20,000 students or more and 2 enroll fewer than 5,000.

7,239 Median enrollment students, whole institution
31,091 Largest University of North Carolina at Charlotte
1,599 Smallest Queens University of Charlotte

Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.

What Graduates of the Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina Earn

Rank School Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs Average net priceNet price
#1 Wake Forest UniversityWake Forest $145,996 $28,165
#2 Elon UniversityElon $103,426 $35,785
#4 University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth Carolina at Charlotte $74,965 $15,142
#5 Queens University of CharlotteQueens University of Charlotte $94,719 $29,421
#6 Appalachian State UniversityAppalachian State $75,396 $16,082
#7 Western Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina $58,076 $13,025

Graduates of Wake Forest earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $145,996; the lowest figure here is $58,076 at Western Carolina.

Wake Forest leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.

Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $13,025 a year at Western Carolina to $35,785 at Elon.

College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.

What a Bachelor's in Finance Costs in North Carolina

In-state tuition among the 9 ranked finance programs in North Carolina runs from $1,000 to $66,470 a year. Western Carolina University anchors the low end at $1,000, while Wake Forest University sits at the top at $66,470. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.

Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $4,000 in tuition at the low end against roughly $265,880 at the high end for the same bachelor's in finance. Against the national median of $88,870 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.

$33,770 Median in-state tuition across 9 schools
$2,406 Public schools, median 4 public
$43,200 Private nonprofit, median 5 private
4 Under $10,000 a year in-state

Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.

Online Finance Options in North Carolina

2 of the 9 ranked North Carolina programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online finance degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.

2 Offer an online option of 9 ranked
  1. #7 Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC
  2. #8 Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC

Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.

Finance Careers and Pay After a North Carolina Program

Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $88,870 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $1,000 or $66,470 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.

Keep Exploring

Common Questions About Finance Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

What is the best finance bachelor's degree in North Carolina?

By Program Score, Wake Forest University ranks first among the 9 finance programs in North Carolina we analyzed, with a 95.6 score and an 89% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.

How much does a finance bachelor's degree cost in North Carolina?

In-state tuition among the ranked North Carolina programs runs from $1,000 to $66,470 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.

Is an online finance bachelor's degree respected by employers?

Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.

What salary can graduates expect?

The BLS reports a national median of $88,870 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an North Carolina-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.

Data Sources