Our finance degree goes beyond the numbers and helps you see the big picture.
At Portland State University, a finance degree provides a foundation to critically assess the many types of economic decisions a firm must make in a dynamic economy. Our finance degree equips you to place finance decisions into a broader strategic context while using rigorous financial analysis to add value to an organization.
In addition to quantitative proficiency, you’ll develop marketable skills in research, critical reasoning and communication.
PSU’s finance degree includes accounting, business analytics, and in-depth valuation coursework. You will gain a strategic perspective that prepares you to work in multiple settings including start-ups, corporations, small business, government, and non-profits.
Employers actively recruit our finance majors because they’re well-rounded and posses the professional bearing and critical thinking skills that enable them to immediately contribute to an organization.
Finance Scholarships | There are approximately 50 scholarships available to Finance students
Use PSU Scholarship Universe to submit a scholarship application. Incoming and continuing PSU students are eligible to apply for scholarships through PSU's Scholarship Universe. Students must file an admissions application with the university. Within 48 hours after a student has submitted an application, they can access the Scholarship Universe platform.
Deadline for scholarship submission is May 1.
| Finance |
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| Security Traders Association Endowed | Professor Raymond N. and Marilyn L. Johnson Endowed |
| General - The School of Business |
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| Michael R. Gaines Endowed -Undergraduate | Tax Executive Institute | John Andrew Funk Endowed | Aherne Family | COMP Endowed |
| Pathways to the Future - Fred Meyer Fund | The Gary and Carla Cumpston | Thrasher Family Scholarship | Boeing | Demorest Family |
| Greg and Terry Ness Graduate Fund | The Owens Family Endowed - Undergraduate | Verne and Marjorie Rupp Endowed | Braun Entrepreneurship | Demorest Family Full-Time Student |
| PSU Beta Alpha Psi Epsilon Alpha Leader's | Bartsch Family Scholarship - Undergraduate Junior or Senior | Viking Engineering and Construction - Junior or Senior Level Undergraduate | Carl Burgdorfer CFA Society of Portland - Senior Class Standing | Franklin Bauer Memorial - Undergraduate |
| Retail Controllers SB Endowed - Upper Division | Gary C. Homsley Endowed Accounting | W.D. Hershey Memorial Fund Endowed | NW Natural Sustainable Business Endowed | Gaye and James Richardson Endowed - Undergraduate |
| School of Business Daimler Truck | Columbia Sportswear Athletic & Outdoor - Undergraduate | Willamette Industries Endowed | Cascade Spirits Fund | Gerry and Marilyn Cameron Endowed Fund |
| School of Business Endowed Faculty | Out in Business | Zeliha Erdogan Scholarship in Business | Ike Nizam Foundation - Undergraduate | Gloria J. Tipton Endowed |
| US Bank - ATMOS Program | Schlesinger Family Foundation Endowed | A-Dec Endowed Business | Iverson Family Business - Undergraduate | Herbert Retzlaff Endowed - Undergraduate |
| Jackie Bell Endowed | | | | |
| Hardship Funds |
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| Boyle Fund for Pathway Student Assistance | Renaissance Foundation Pathways Student Assistance |
| SBA Need Based Fee Remission | The School of Business Fund |
- Exceptional faculty. Our finance faculty have valuable industry and academic experience. This experience, in combination with high-level scholarship and professional achievement, allows them to offer valuable applied insight that enhances traditional theory. Deep connections to the business community enable the faculty to provide relevant career guidance, mentorship and access to internships.
- Industry connections. The School of Business has active partnerships in Portland’s finance community, spanning the corporate, government and nonprofit sectors. These connections result in opportunities for a variety of professional finance internships, and you will have the opportunity to frequently connect with finance professionals at campus job fairs, networking sessions, client-based classroom projects, and other events. As part of the CFA Institute Affiliation Program, PSU’s finance program offers competitive-based scholarships for the CFA Level 1 exam, which enables students to prepare for a career in investment management and related fields of finance.
- Rigorous academics. PSU’s nationally ranked School of Business holds elite dual accreditation (in business and accounting) from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Only 1% of the world’s business schools share this distinction.
- Economic justice and sustainability. PSU’s finance degree reflects the University’s overarching commitment to environmental responsibility, cultural diversity and social justice. Global economic and political trends have made these values increasingly attractive to financial and corporate employers.
- Global business context. In today’s highly interconnected economy, employers value finance professionals who can see the big picture. Our finance degree gives you a comprehensive foundation that encompasses emerging technologies, global markets, macroeconomic trends, government regulation and other factors affecting financial decisions.
- Graduate degree pathways into our MSF program. PSU finance students are eligible for an accelerated pathway program into our Master of Science in Finance (MSF). Students complete 8 MSF credits in their senior year which are shared between their bachelor's degree and MSF degree.
Finance Degree Highlights
- Well-rounded quantitative and qualitative skills with a strategic emphasis
- Integrated coursework in accounting, spreadsheet modeling, and valuation
- Access to the Finance Lab, PSU's hub for Bloomberg Terminal and Barron's in Education
- Bloomberg Terminal and data analytics integrated into the core curriculum
- Option to join the highly-active finance student organization, Financial Management Association at PSU
- Prime location in a dynamic city with diverse opportunities and entrepreneurial spirit
- Highly qualified faculty, including many with multiple credentials (Ph.D., MBA, CAIA, CFA, and CPA)
- Commitment to social and environmental responsibility and cultural diversity
- Opportunity to manage a real dollar portfolio as a student portfolio manager
- Four consecutive years on U.S. News & World Report’s “Most Innovative Universities” list
- Nationally ranked business school that holds elite dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Our finance degree’s broad view gives you the foundation for careers in both traditional finance and non-finance fields of business. You can pursue opportunities in such areas as corporate finance, financial services, financial technology, risk management, supply chain and investment firms in both the private and public sector. The range of possibilities includes, but is not limited to:
- Financial analyst
- Investment analyst
- Business valuation
- Data analytics
- Compliance manager
- Portfolio manager
- Investor relations
- Risk management
- Trading associate
- Commercial real estate analyst
- Credit analyst
- Financial planner
- Supply Chain finance
- Financial risk manager
- Financial climate risk analyst
- Sustainable finance
Finance Degree Curriculum
PSU’s finance degree encompasses a diverse finance curriculum, allowing you to create a learning experience that reflects your interests. Course material includes:
- Corporate Finance
- Investments
- Portfolio Management
- Derivatives
- Valuation
- International Finance
- Applied Financial Strategies
- Data Analytics & Modeling in Finance
- Financial Institutions and Markets
- Special Topics, which may include Blockchain, FinTech, and Enterprise Risk Management
Download the Finance Sequence Sheet for additional details about prerequisites, requirements, credits, and suggested sequences.
ACCREDITATION & RANKINGS
Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
One of less than 200 business schools worldwide — top 1% — to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the elite business school accreditation known internationally.
Best Undergraduate Business Programs, U.S. News & World Report