Back to search results

Finance

Degree: BS

Campus: Columbus

College: Business

The finance major is designed to prepare students for careers in financial management in all types of businesses, firms and financial institutions.

Students admitted to the Columbus campus are also admitted directly to the Fisher major program and the finance specialization.

Students studying the field of finance take course work in corporate finance in which they study the effects of projects and financial policy on stockholder wealth. They study capital budgeting, project cost of capital, dividend policy, debt policy, leasing policy and option pricing. Students examine different types of investments and their relative merits and the role of financial institutions, including the study of asset and liability management in commercial banks and saving institutions. 

Principles courses 

  • Accounting Principles 
  • Economics Principles 
  • Statistics 

Core courses 

  • Business Law
  • Finance
  • International Business
  • Logistics
  • Management Sciences
  • Management and Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Strategic Management

Required major courses 

  • Corporate Finance
  • Investments
  • Financial Institutions
  • Financial Data
  • Global Finance
  • Options and Futures I
  • Selected courses in finance

Fisher’s Office of Global Business provides students with a variety of options for putting theories into action in a compelling international location. Learn more at fisher.osu.edu/global-opportunities/undergraduate.

Though internships are not required for business students, more than 90% of students registered with the college's Office of Career Management have some kind of internship experience before they graduate. Many students receive an offer of full-time employment from their internship employer. 

The Fisher Honors Program includes the Accounting Honors Program, the Business Honors Cohort Program, the Honors Contract Program and the Finance Honors Program. The Accounting Honors Program consists of a specific sequence of accounting courses that students complete beginning in their sophomore year and continuing into the senior year. The Business Honors Cohort Program consists of a set of sequenced business Honors courses that students follow beginning in the junior year. The Honors Contract Program consists of an academic plan designed by the student and detailed in an honors contract. The Finance Honors program prepares high-performing, driven, and ambitious honors students with the cutting edge analytical and quantitative skills sought by leading investment and commercial banks, private equity firms, consulting firms and non-financial corporations. 

The Business Scholars Program is a community of talented students that participate in programs and activities designed to offer insight into business practice and environment. Business Scholars learn to understand the vital role of collaboration through teambuilding, leadership training and workshops. Additionally, Business Scholars can develop partnerships with Fisher College of Business faculty and alumni.

Career opportunities for finance majors parallel the study and practice of finance. Virtually all businesses, whether large or small, need help analyzing their financial needs and opportunities. Specific career opportunities include financial management in manufacturing and distributing firms, commercial bank management, savings and loan management, stock brokerage, insurance, security analysis, and trust management. Some jobs require special training and licensing such as stock brokers, certified financial analyst (CFA) or certified financial planner (CFP). 

The average beginning salary for finance graduates in 2019-20 was $62,162.

At graduation, Fisher College of Business graduates: 

  • will have a working knowledge of accounting theories, concepts and methods and be able to explain how and why accounting is done
  • will be able to solve problems by applying fundamental principles to a variety of issues 
  • will exhibit the oral and written communication skills needed by successful accounting professionals
  • will be able to research issues and business decision problems by finding, analyzing and interpreting accounting, tax and other financial data
  • will recognize ethical dimensions in accounting issues and practice in order to become responsible professionals and citizens

Learn more

Future students 

Contact us

More about this major

College website


Academic info

Contact us

Department website

The Fisher College of Business undergraduate finance program is ranked 12th in the nation (U.S. News and World Report).

Interested in a business career?

Check out the Business Pathway to discover the many majors Ohio State offers that can lead to a career in business.