Finance Programs in Rhode Island

Finance Schools in Rhode Island

Total Finance Programs:7
Online Finance Programs:6
Admissions Requirements:Moderate
Average Tuition:$23,966
Average Scholarship Package:$10,529
Average Grant Amount:$11,867
Average Housing Cost:$7,008
Average Gender Ratio:44% Men / 56% Women
Average Student-to-Faculty Ratio:17:1

Despite being the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island still has seven colleges that offer finance programs to students. Four schools have Associate’s degrees in finance, and six schools have Bachelor’s degrees in finance. Master’s degrees in finance are available at six schools, and you can get a PhD in finance from three schools.

Average tuition in Rhode Island is $23,966. Tuition in New England and along the coast is often much higher than other parts of the country. However, this is offset by financial aid. The average scholarship package in Rhode Island is $10,529, and the average grant is $11,687.

Educational Information:

Getting an Associate’s degree in Rhode Island will take you about two years. It’s comprised of 60 credits, 20 of which are general education credits and 40 of which are finance credits. Students take courses in economics, accounting, and general mathematics. Many of the community colleges, including Community College of Rhode Island, have credits that can be transferred to four-year colleges or universities.

A Bachelor’s degree is probably the most popular choice for new students. This degree takes about four years to finish. Most universities, including Bryant University, include business education as part of the finance program. This gives students the ability to work in a wide range of places. Classes at this level include Quantitative Analysis, Financial Management Techniques, and International Finance. Students can work in the C.V. Starr Financial Markets Center. This is a simulated training floor that lets students put what they learn into practice.

Master’s degrees in finance can propel your career further than you’ve ever imagined. Students can either get a Master’s in finance or a Master’s in business administration with a focus in finance. The latter option is more prevalent, offered at schools like Bryant University. Courses at this level include Global Investments, Global Bank Management, and Global Financial Markets & Institutions.

Licensing Information:

Certain finance careers require you to be licensed through the appropriate state board. In Rhode Island, the main careers that fit into this category are investment advisors, stockbrokers, and financial planners.

To become an investment advisor in Rhode Island, you have to pass the Series 65 exam. If this is not an option, you can take either the Series 63 or Series 66 exam in addition to the Series 7 exam. You can then be licensed through the Division of Banking and Securities Regulation.

Stockbrokers in Rhode Island are also regulated by the Division of Banking and Securities Regulation. To be a stockbroker, you have to pass two exams: either the Series 63 or Series 66 and the Series 2 or Series 7 exams. You have to complete a refresher course two years after licensure and every three years after that.

Financial planners that sell life insurance and fixed annuities are registered with the Insurance Regulation Division. Prior to licensure, applicants have to go through 20 hours of education. Then they have to take a producer licensing examination. After initial licensure, financial planners must keep up with 24 hours of ongoing education every two years.

Employment Information:

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

  • Financial analysts: $88,930
  • Financial managers: $169,070
  • Personal financial advisors: $123,000

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs among the state’s financial analysts is projected to increase by 6.4%, resulting in about 100 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 13.6%, resulting in about 280 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 5.3%, resulting in about 110 annual job openings during this ten-year period when combined with retirements and natural job turnover.

Large finance employers in Rhode Island include Bentley Wealth Advisors, Pyramis Global Advisors, Fidelity, Edward Jones, Maverick Trading, and Amalgamated Life Insurance.

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)