Case Western Reserve University

What you'll study

The programme combines core business and liberal arts courses with a focused sequence in finance and financial management. Early years typically cover foundational subjects such as financial and managerial accounting, microeconomics and macroeconomics, business statistics and calculus. Core finance modules introduce corporate finance, investments, financial markets and institutions, and financial statement analysis.

• Core finance topics: corporate finance, investments and portfolio management, financial markets and institutions, financial reporting and analysis.
• Quantitative and analytical skills: business statistics, econometrics, financial modelling, spreadsheet and data analysis for finance.
• Specialist and applied subjects: derivatives and risk management, corporate valuation, fixed income, behavioural finance, wealth and financial planning, banking and credit analysis.
• Law, ethics and policy: business law, ethics in finance and regulatory environment of financial services.
• Experiential learning: case studies, group projects, trading simulations, client-based projects and an industry internship or practicum.

Students can usually choose electives or concentrations that reflect interests such as corporate finance, investment management, financial planning, or fintech. A capstone or senior project brings together technical skills and practical problem-solving, often incorporating real-world datasets or client consultancy work.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and considers the whole academic record. Typical successful applicants have a strong high-school transcript with particular strength in mathematics (algebra and calculus where available) and coursework in economics or business if offered. Admissions review also looks at letters of recommendation, personal statements and extracuricular activities that demonstrate leadership and quantitative aptitude.

• High-school diploma or equivalent with strong grades in mathematics and quantitative subjects.
• Preparation in algebra, precalculus or calculus and evidence of analytical ability.
• Standardised tests (such as SAT or ACT) may be considered where submitted; many applicants are admitted test-optional under the university’s policies.
• International applicants should demonstrate English proficiency and provide comparable academic documentation.
• Admissions interviews, essays and recommendations can strengthen an application; previous internship, work experience or relevant extracurriculars are beneficial.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of roles across financial services and business. Common entry-level positions include financial analyst, investment analyst, junior portfolio manager, commercial or corporate banking analyst, risk analyst, financial planner or client-adviser roles in wealth management.

• Paths within industry: corporate finance departments, investment management firms, commercial and investment banks, insurance companies and boutique advisory firms.
• Professional and technical roles: treasury, credit analysis, risk management, financial operations and reporting, and roles in fintech product or analytics teams.
• Further study and qualifications: many graduates pursue professional certifications (CFA, CFP, FRM) or postgraduate degrees such as an MS in Finance, MBA or related fields.
• Entrepreneurship and consulting: financial training supports careers in financial consulting, corporate development or launching finance-oriented startups.

Why study at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve offers finance education with strong links to its School of Management, interdisciplinary research and the resources of a major research university. Students benefit from small-class interactions, faculty who combine academic research with industry experience, and hands-on learning through simulations, consulting projects and internships.

• Location and industry connections: Cleveland’s financial and corporate community provides internship and recruiting opportunities with regional banks, corporate headquarters and growing fintech firms.
• Experiential learning: practical coursework, access to data tools and trading-simulation resources, and opportunities for cross-disciplinary projects with engineering, law and data-science students.
• Career support: dedicated career services and alumni networks help students secure internships and graduate roles, and support preparation for professional exams.
• Flexible pathways: students can combine the finance major with minors or double-majors across economics, computer science, data analytics or engineering to tailor their skillset to modern financial careers.