Many students pursue an MBA to gain a strong foundation in business fundamentals and to open up career opportunities. In 2025, MBA graduates are predicted to earn an average starting salary that’s $30,000 higher than projections for experienced, direct-from-industry hires.
An MBA with a concentration in finance offers the best of both worlds: a solid grounding in business and a specialized focus on financial management. With an education that spans investment, economics, and accounting, graduates with a finance concentration are highly employable, often securing jobs within three months of graduation.
If you’re passionate about finance, The University of Texas Permian Basin can help you on the path to a rewarding career. Not convinced? Below, we break down four reasons why you should consider pursuing an MBA with a concentration in finance with us.
Why choose a finance specialization when an MBA alone can already lead to a rewarding career? It’s true that UT Permian Basin’s online MBA program prepares students for leadership roles in several fields, including:
In addition to being affordable, 100% online, and AACSB-accredited, an MBA with a finance focus can help ease—and often accelerate—your transition into a career in finance. Whether you’re aiming to become a financial manager, chief financial officer, or analyst, this specialization opens the door to numerous opportunities.
Think of it as the difference between a general practitioner and a surgeon. A general practitioner can help in a wide variety of medical areas, but only a surgeon can wield a scalpel with expert precision. Both enjoy rewarding careers, but surgeons will ultimately earn a higher salary.
So, how do you become a surgeon of finance?
UT Permian Basin’s online MBA program with a concentration in finance empowers students with the skill set needed for a career in the world of budgeting, investments, and financial systems. Core courses are paired with concentration courses—e.g., Management of Financial Institutions, Options & Futures, International Finance—to teach the financial skills needed to thrive in virtually any industry. It’s no wonder that graduates of our online MBA program with a concentration in finance are so employable.
Students enrolled in our program are often already gainfully employed and are looking to advance their careers. However, students looking for a career change may join our program to make themselves more employable. Either way, graduates who have earned an MBA with an emphasis in finance will be in demand regardless of where they end up.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the average employment rate for 2023 graduates three months after graduating from full-time MBA programs was over 86%. The demand for MBA graduates is further exemplified by findings from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which showed that 78% of employers planned to hire recent MBA graduates in 2019.
Employers are looking for MBA graduates, but that won’t make your career search any less competitive. Professionals stand out from the crowd when their resume mentions a specialty, especially an MBA with an emphasis in finance.
U.S. News also reports that the average salary for 2019 graduates of full-time MBA programs in the financial services industry was an impressive $128,997. Monster similarly reports that finance is among the best-paying MBA majors. Graduates of MBA programs with a finance focus often earn six-figure salaries because of the in-demand knowledge and skills that only they possess.
Let’s take a look at the median annual salaries for several finance careers as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Financial managers are responsible for an organization’s finances, including development and strategies for achieving long-term financial goals. On average, financial managers made $156,100 a year in 2023. In addition, the projected job outlook is 17% through 2033, much higher than the national average.
Financial analysts look at financial data to guide organizations in their investment decisions. Financial analysts earned an average annual salary of $99,890 in 2023, but the highest 10% earned over $175,840.
Similar to financial analysts, budget analysts look at financial data to make recommendations, but their focus is on helping organizations budget and track spending. Budget analysts made an average annual salary of $84,940 in 2023, but the highest 10% earned over $131,630.
Networking is essential in a financial career, and it begins long before applying for a new position. As a student of our online MBA program with a concentration in finance, you’ll (virtually) learn and engage with other aspiring professionals who have made it their priority to succeed in the world of finance.
Long-lasting relationships born of this program will serve you well in the years to come, as your colleagues inform you of new opportunities, industry trends, and career advice. At UT Permian Basin, ensuring your future success begins the moment classes start.
1. What can I do with an MBA with a concentration in finance?
Graduates can pursue roles such as financial manager, chief financial officer (CFO), financial analyst, or investment banker. The degree also opens doors to consulting and leadership positions in a variety of industries.
2. Is an MBA with a concentration in finance worth it?
Yes! Specializing in finance can lead to higher salaries and stronger job prospects. Finance-related roles consistently rank among the top-paying MBA careers.
3. How long does it take to earn an MBA with a finance concentration?
At UT Permian Basin, students can complete their degree in as few as 15 months, depending on their course load and prior business education.
4. Is an online MBA with a finance concentration as valuable as an in-person degree?
Yes. Accredited online MBA programs, like the one at UT Permian Basin, provide the same rigorous curriculum as in-person programs while offering greater flexibility for working professionals.
Students with a mind for finance are often interested in pursuing degrees with the highest return on investment (ROI). At UT Permian Basin, our AACSB-accredited online MBA program with a concentration in finance costs less than $15,000 to complete (about $11,000 for students who already have undergraduate business degrees). For less than $15,000, students gain access to a first-rate education and one of the most financially rewarding career fields for MBA graduates.
Although an MBA with a finance focus can be earned in as few as 15 months, our program is also entirely online and can be completed at your own pace, meaning there’s no need to forgo personal or professional responsibilities. Continue your education and your current career without needing to prioritize one over the other.
UT Permian Basin’s online MBA program with a concentration in finance will expand your competencies in financial management, empower you with an in-demand skillset, and connect you with a network of like-minded students. If you have a clear career goal in mind, invest in a degree with a concentration that aligns with that goal. For an affordable, flexible, and first-rate financial education, apply to UT Permian Basin’s online MBA program with a concentration in finance.
Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online MBA program with a concentration in finance.
Sources:
https://www.coursera.org/articles/mba-degree-salary
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/articles/mba-salary-jobs
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-4
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm#tab-5
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm#tab-5
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