Finance Degree

The finance program at Wilkes University prepares students for careers as a credit analyst, finance officer, financial advisor, financial analyst, financial planner, loan officer, or investment banker. The program focuses on planning, managing, and analyzing financial and monetary aspects and performance of business enterprises, banking institutions, or other organizations. Program courses include: principles of accounting, financial instruments, capital planning, funds acquisition, asset and debt management, budgeting, financial analysis, and investments and portfolio management. Get more details below including other Pennsylvania colleges that offer finance degrees.

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Wilkes University (Wilkes)

One University Place, Chester, PA

Wilkes University, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is a private four year institution originally established in 1933 as a junior college expansion campus for Bucknell University. Originally known as Bucknell Junior College, the school was granted independence in 1947, changing its name to Wilkes College in honor of John Wilkes, an English politician, and expanded its offerings and programs. The school continued to grow and in 1990 was granted university status, resulting in final name change, and extensive additions to programs available through the school. Since achieving university status the school has developed and added a variety of facilities and majors, including new field specific schools within the university to better assist in the development of education and growth of students.

Academics

Wilkes University serves approximately 2,200 students a year, allowing for a more personalized education while still offering many of the features and advantages of a larger college. The school also offers a large number of undergraduate and pre-professional programs, allowing students to choose the path and major that best suits his or her plans and goals. Undergraduate and pre-professional programs typically take four years to complete and result in a bachelor's degree. Minor degrees may also be pursued, requiring additional courses of study in a given field. Graduate programs are also available, requiring a separate set of prerequisites including having earned a bachelor's degree and acceptable GRE scores. Graduate programs confer a master's degree and typically take between one to two years to complete.

Programs offered include:

• Business Administration
• Criminology
• History
• Marketing
• Sociology

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Wilkes University must submit a completed application and have earned the nationally recognized prerequisite number of high school credits in English, mathematics, science and social studies. Students must also supply SAT or ACT scores and transcripts with the application, all of which will be taken into consideration during the review and decision process. Students will be notified regarding admissions once the process is complete, and if admitted, will be provided the information necessary to begin their education. Some programs of study will have additional requirements, including additional math courses, auditions, or more specific high school requirements.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs and must be applied for as early as possible each academic year. Students in need of assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which will be sent to the school in order to develop a financial aid packet that best suits the needs of the applicant. Due to recently implemented federal regulations, students may be randomly selected to provide additional financial information which will be compared to the FAFSA in order to ensure its accuracy. Scholarships are also available from external sources, requiring separate applications and awarded for various reasons. Students are encouraged to go online or visit the financial aid office to identify scholarships they qualify for.

Students Enrolled in the Finance Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Wilkes offers a bachelor's degree program in finance.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Chief Sustainability Officers

Description

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

General and Operations Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services.

Treasurers and Controllers

Description

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, treasurers and controllers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.8% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $72.92
  • Average Annual Salary: $151660
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 3
  • Average Hourly Rate: $80.08
  • Average Annual Salary: $166560
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $76.21
  • Average Annual Salary: $158510

Budget Analysts

Description

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, budget analysts employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.5% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 280
  • Average Hourly Rate: $33.39
  • Average Annual Salary: $69460
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 420
  • Average Hourly Rate: $36.56
  • Average Annual Salary: $76040
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 80
  • Average Hourly Rate: $38.51
  • Average Annual Salary: $80100

Credit Analysts

Description

Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, credit analysts employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.1% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $38.87
  • Average Annual Salary: $80850
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 530
  • Average Hourly Rate: $37.03
  • Average Annual Salary: $77030
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $33.81
  • Average Annual Salary: $70330

Financial Analysts

Description

Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, financial analysts employment is expected to grow at a rate of 11.7% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 420
  • Average Hourly Rate: $38.58
  • Average Annual Salary: $80260
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $43.59
  • Average Annual Salary: $90680
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 3
  • Average Hourly Rate: $41.29
  • Average Annual Salary: $85870

Personal Financial Advisors

Description

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, personal financial advisors employment is expected to grow at a rate of 29.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 430
  • Average Hourly Rate: $57.07
  • Average Annual Salary: $118720
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $59.07
  • Average Annual Salary: $122870
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 760
  • Average Hourly Rate: $50.77
  • Average Annual Salary: $105590

Loan Officers

Description

Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, and loan underwriters.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, loan officers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 8.1% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $39.47
  • Average Annual Salary: $82100
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $41.26
  • Average Annual Salary: $85820
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 840
  • Average Hourly Rate: $36.00
  • Average Annual Salary: $74880

Financial Quantitative Analysts

Description

Develop quantitative financial products used to inform individuals or financial institutions engaged in saving, lending, investing, borrowing, or managing risk. Investigate methods for financial analysis to create mathematical models used to develop improved analytical tools or advanced financial investment instruments.

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).