Finance Programs in Colorado

Finance Schools in Colorado

Total Finance Programs:20
Online Finance Programs:18
Admissions Requirements:Moderate
Average Tuition:$12,929
Average Scholarship Package:$5,311
Average Grant Amount:$5,788
Average Housing Cost:$5,128
Average Gender Ratio:41% Men / 58% Women
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio:16:1

There are 20 schools in Colorado that offer finance programs to students. Of those 20 schools, 16 offer an Associate’s degree in finance. Fifteen schools offer a Bachelor’s degree in finance, and eight offer a Master’s degree in Finance. Six Colorado schools offer a PhD in finance.

The top three programs in the state are Regis University, University of Colorado at Denver, and the University of Denver. Surprisingly, all three of these schools have very high acceptance rates. The Master’s degree at Regis University is remarkably flexible for working students, offering a variety of in-person and online classes. Regis University is regularly listed as one of the top Western universities.

University of Colorado at Denver is special because of its J.P. Morgan Center for Commodities; it is a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity that allows students to get a hands-on education in commodities.

At the University of Denver, students get the chance to actually manage financial accounts. Graduate students have the opportunity to analyze Deutsche Bank prospects or handle the school’s endowment program.

Educational Information:

The education in Colorado’s finance programs is of the highest caliber; Forbes has listed Colorado as one of the top ten states for business education.

An Associate’s degree student, such as one at Johnson & Wales University, takes classes in basic finance topics. This includes an overview of accounting, budgeting, managing financial accounts, and bookkeeping. They also have to take a variety of general education classes, including humanities, science, and English. An Associate’s degree in finance will take a full-time student roughly two years to complete. The average Associate’s program in finance requires students to finish 60 credits.

Bachelor’s degree students can expect a more in-depth education and a longer time spent in school. This degree typically takes four years to complete, as it includes about 120 credits. For instance, the finance program at Metropolitan State University of Denver includes a major in finance and a minor in financial services. This program prepares students in many aspects of finance, including international finance, investments, estate planning, and personal financial planning. They offer a non-credit program that prepares students to take the Certified Financial Planner exam.

The Regis University Bachelor’s program includes classes in Microeconomics, Principles of Accounting, and Business Finance. Graduate finance students in Colorado, such as those at Regis University, can expect to take about two or three years to complete their degree. Regis University includes classes like Economics of Management, Interpreting Accounting Information, and Ethical & Legal Environment of Business. Students also have the opportunity to access the Becker CPA Exam Review course.

Licensing Information:

Investment advisors in Colorado must be licensed through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Securities. Graduates must take the Series 65 examination, or they must take the Series 7 examination in addition to the Series 66 examination. These exams are required by the Colorado Securities Act.

Finance professionals who sell life insurance and fixed annuities must be licensed through the Colorado Division of Insurance. Finance professionals must take 50 hours of pre-licensing education. After finishing your 50 hours of education, you take the insurance examination at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Colorado stockbrokers must be registered with the Central Registration Depository. Stockbrokers must also take the Series 63 or Series 66 examination. Their firm also chooses one additional exam that they must pass. Stockbrokers have two types of ongoing education requirements: a Regulatory Element and a Firm Element. A test must be taken two years after initial licensure, and every three years after the first exam.

Employment Information:

As of May 2020, finance professionals in Colorado earned the following average salaries:

  • Financial analysts: $92,360
  • Financial managers: $172,400
  • Personal financial advisors: $117,330

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial analysts is projected to increase by 19.4%, resulting in about 450 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial managers is projected to increase by 30.1%, resulting in about 950 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s personal financial advisors is projected to increase by 22.2%, resulting in about 580 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Some of the largest finance employers in Colorado include Edward Jones, Envestnet Asset Management, Janus Capital Group, and Beryl Stone Investments. Other large employers include Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Fifth Third Bank, and Maverick Trading.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for financial analysts, financial managers, and personal financial advisors. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2021.

Job growth projections for financial and investment analysts, financial managers, personal financial advisors sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database and based on state-specific information (2018-2028)