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Undergraduate Program

Study finance at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to understand money, investments and how the market impacts the economy. Gain skills in risk assessment, problem-solving, money management and data analyzation as you learn how to improve the financial health of businesses, organizations and individuals. Job opportunities beyond banking include strategic financial decision-making, stock analysis, risk management and financial planning. Choose one of three finance tracks: banking and risk management, investments or general finance.

  • College

  • Hours Required

    120 credit hours

  • Minors Available

    Finance

  • Areas of Focus

    Banking and Risk, Management, General Finance, Investments

The Nebraska Difference

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CFA® Institute University Affiliated Program

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Explore wealth management through the Investors With Purpose Program

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Utilize a Trading Room with 12 Bloomberg terminals, the same tech used on Wall Street.

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Unique Professional Enhancement Program offers hands-on career development

Finance students work at a Bloomberg terminal

Program Features

CFA Institute University Affiliation Program 

The investments track in the finance major is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. To achieve this recognition, the program must cover 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge and place emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Our program positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. 

Gain Experience Through Hands-On Learning 

Roll up your sleeves and learn finance by doing the work of financial professionals while having the support of your classmates and professor. Learn through case studies, simulations, in-class activities and managing real portfolios.  

Faculty as Experts and Mentors 

Our faculty are leaders in practice and research. Our finance professors publish research in top finance journals, such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics and Review of Financial Studies. 

Student works one on one with professor.

Notable Courses

To earn your bachelor’s degree in finance through the College of Business, you will take 120 credit hours of courses, equating to four or five courses per semester, on average.
Principles of Individual and Corporate Risk Management (FINA 338)

Learn how to identify and manage risk on the individual and corporate level. Gain experience with personal insurance policies and corporate risk management methods.

Finance (FINA 361A)

Boost Wall Street career prep with a course on finance, theory, modeling and Excel. Essential for sophomores seeking Wall Street internships, with math, stats, accounting, economics and GPA prerequisites.

Real Estate Principles and Practice (FINA 382)

Explore the real estate market, including ownership, interests, sales, leases, property valuation and appraising.

Security Analysis and Warren Buffett Business Valuation Techniques (FINA 463)

Learn the criteria used by famous investor and alum Warren Buffett for evaluation of potential acquisitions and investments.

Investors With Purpose (FINA 464)

Explore financial markets and wealth management with business leaders' insights. Real-life discussions on asset and wealth management topics, like venture capital and real estate. Exclusive to Investors With Purpose Program participants.

Portfolio Practicum I and II (FINA 468 and 469)

Gain practical experience in financial asset management by managing the college’s multimillion-dollar Cornhusker Fund. Learn how to select individual securities and develop a portfolio strategy.

Explore the 4-Year Plan

Huskers Do Big Things

From day one, you’ll have access to a career coach and potential employers at Hawks Hall. Your career development will feature hands-on learning experiences, like a resume review, networking and a practice interview with an employer. These opportunities are part of the Professional Enhancement Program, which is unique to Nebraska Business.

Internships

  • Internships financial management scholar intern, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
  • Corporate sponsorship intern, Minnesota Twins
  • Analyst intern, Goldman Sachs
  • Investment banking summer analyst, Stifel
  • Commercial banking intern, Wells Fargo

Careers

  • Finance management trainee, BNSF Railway
  • Sales and trading analyst, Citigroup
  • Consultant, FactSet Research Systems
  • Business manager, Kiewit
  • Assistant national bank examiner, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Graduate Schools

  • Master of Science in Finance, Cass Business School
  • Master of Science in Accounting, Notre Dame University
  • Master of Science in Actuarial Science, University of Connecticut
  • Master of Science in Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • PhD in Finance, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Outside the Classroom

Get the most out of your collegiate experience by taking advantage of opportunities to get involved. Challenge yourself and make meaningful connections along the way.

Finance professor makes a point during lecture.

Participate in the Investors With Purpose Program

Network with wealth management industry leaders in the Investors With Purpose Program, featuring a course and mentorship component. Program acceptance is based on an application and interview.

Students listen to a professor in a finance lecture.

Prepare for a Career on Wall Street

During your sophomore year, take accelerated curriculum to prepare for Wall Street internship interviews. The Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska student organization connects you to students with similar ambitions.

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Compete in Case Competitions

Represent Nebraska in regional and national case competitions, like the CFA® Research Challenge.

BRIC student investors gather for a photo.

Learn to Invest Through BRIC

You can join the Big Red Investment Club as early as your first semester to manage a real portfolio and present new equities to add through BRIC's semesterly Stock Pitch.

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Featured Faculty

Stanislava (Stas) Nikolova, Alice M. Dittman Chair of Banking and Finance and Professor of Finance

Stas Nikolova teaches Fixed Income Investments. Nikolova has regulatory experience as a senior financial economist at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where she lent her expertise in the writing of rules governing bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, credit ratings, and credit rating agencies. She has conducted extensive research into various aspects of fixed-income markets, including regulating and investing.

Learn More About Our Faculty

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Academics & Experiential Learning

  • Create and manage a virtual stock portfolio in the Investment Principles class using the StockTrak Global Portfolio Simulation.
  • Manage a $3 million dollar portfolio by taking a year-long course to oversee the Cornhusker Fund.
  • Gain experience in making key management decisions for a financial institution by using the ProBanker Simulation in the Bank Management class.
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Career Preparedness

  • Investigate financial trends to make educated decisions about budgets, operations and investments.
  • Develop strong Excel skills useful in any career.
  • Learn financial analysis techniques to compare investment alternatives and create a sound investment portfolio.
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Community

  • Connect with other students by joining the Big Red Investment Club or Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska.
  • Join the Center for Entrepreneurship's Husker Venture Fund and invest in early-stage Nebraska startups.
  • Apply to become a financial well-being coach in the Big Red Resilience and Well-Being program to help students with their personal finances and money management.

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Finance major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Contact Name
Kendra Ritchie
Contact Title
Associate Director of Recruitment
Phone
Phone
402-472-7784
Email
Envelope
businessrecruitment@unl.edu