Finance (B.S.)
Chicago is a global financial hub and home to the world’s largest markets in financial derivatives, and our Bachelor of Science in Finance program puts you at the center of it.
The Stuart School of Business has the combination of strong connections within the finance industry in Chicago, highly respected faculty, and a cutting-edge curriculum that will prepare you for an exciting career in finance.
As the only business school in Chicago that’s part of a tech-focused university, Stuart bridges business and technology to provide you with a depth of knowledge in finance, a foundation in business fundamentals that is second to none, and mastery of quantitative and analytical skills that employers seek.
You’ll learn about economic principles for business, concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics, asset pricing theory, capital investments and cash flows, shareholder value, pricing and risk management of derivative securities, and other key areas of finance.
At Stuart, you’ll have opportunities to put your learning to practice in the student-led Stuart Investments organization and by competing in national and international finance competitions. We also sponsor career development sessions and networking events with finance professionals, including our many alumni in the Chicago area.
Through Illinois Tech’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program, you are guaranteed hands-on experiences—such as internships, group projects, and research— where you connect your classroom learning with real-world practice. You also receive a personalized plan and mentoring to guide your academic studies and to prepare you to launch your finance career with a great job when you graduate.
STEM-Designated Program
This is a STEM-designated program, and international graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an extension for Optional Practical Training, which allows selected students to stay and work in the United States for up to three years after graduation.
Program Overview
The STEM-designated B.S. in Finance program leverages Stuart’s highly respected faculty and deep connections in Chicago’s global financial center to provide students with a curriculum that is tuned to the finance industry, a solid grounding in quantitative and analytical skills, and opportunities to connect the classroom with real-world experience, so our graduates are career-ready.
Career Opportunities
The B.S. in Finance degree prepares students for a career as a financial analyst and specialized positions such as financial risk specialist, fund manager, investment analyst, portfolio manager, ratings analyst, and securities analyst.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median occupational wage of $95,570 for financial analysts in 2021. The projected growth rate for this occupation is nine percent over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations, with about 32,000 openings each year, on average.
Stuart bachelor’s degree graduates have been hired at financial firms such as:
- JPMorgan Chase
- Morningstar
- Bank of America
- Calamos Investments
- Eurex Exchange
The finance program at Stuart is designed to build your core business competencies—including accounting, economics, statistics, finance, business law, marketing, management, decision making, operation and supply chain, and entrepreneurship—and develop your knowledge and advanced skills in the field of finance.
The major requires 51 credit hours (17 courses) of business requirements and 18 credit hours (six courses) of finance courses, as shown below. In addition, a student completes mathematics (MATH 151—Calculus I or MATH 191—Business Calculus) and computer science requirements, Illinois Tech core curriculum requirements, and electives, for a minimum total of 126 credit hours to fulfill the B.S. degree. View business (BUS) and economics (ECON) course descriptions.
Business Requirements
BUS 100—Introduction to Business
BUS 102—Computing Tools for Business Analysis
BUS 211—Financial Accounting
BUS 212—Managerial Accounting
BUS 221—Business Statistics
BUS 301—Organizational Behavior
BUS 305—Operation and Supply Chain Design
BUS 311—Strategic Cost Management
BUS 321—Optimization and Decision-Making
BUS 341—Business Law
BUS 351—Financial Decision-Making
BUS 361—Entrepreneurship I
BUS 371—Marketing Fundamentals
ECON 382—Business Economics
BUS 480—Strategic Management and Design Thinking
ECON 151—Microeconomics
ECON 152—Macroeconomics
Finance Courses
BUS 452—International Finance
BUS 454—Investments
BUS 455—Corporate Finance
BUS 457—Financial Modeling
BUS 458—Financial Derivatives
ECON 251—Introduction to Econometrics
Admission to Illinois Tech is required to enroll in the B.S. in Finance program. Current Illinois Tech students should consult their academic adviser to transfer into the program.
Get Hands-on with Finance
Experience an Internship
Through the Stuart School’s connections, our students get a head start on their careers with internships at CME Group, Eurex, Wintrust, and other top companies.
Dive into Equity Analysis
Learn by doing in Stuart Investments, the student-led organization where you can participate in equity research, valuation modeling, and portfolio management.
Gain a Competitive Edge
From risk management to equity valuation, Stuart students put their financial knowledge and skills to the test in national and international business competitions.
“Being in Chicago allowed me to attend different networking events, which led to obtaining a summer internship. During my interview with Wintrust Financial Corp. they were extremely interested with the work we do in Stuart Investments. Stuart provided this unique opportunity that allowed me to stand out compared to other applicants.”
Ahsan Lodhika picked Illinois Tech because of its accelerated master’s degree program and strong finance program. As an intern at CME Group, he saw the value of his business studies in his on-the-job experience.
Ahsan Lodhika (BA/M.S. FIN '19)
Aiman Moizuddin learned quickly that her education at Illinois Tech would put her on the path to success. She made sure to take full advantage.
Aiman Moizuddin (BA/M.S. FIN ’19)
There were reasons for Oscar Cazelez to give up. He never did, and then graduated from Illinois Tech with two degrees and a path toward success.
Oscar Cazalez (BA/M.S. FIN ’18)
With business and finance courses plus experiences such as Stuart Investments, an internship, and international competitions, Mohamed Shamel built a strong portfolio for a career in equity research.
Mohamed Shamel (BA/M.S. FIN ’21)
In the classroom and through a variety of activities at Stuart School of Business, Veronika Shestakova developed the skills that are bringing her professional success.
Veronika Shestakova (BA/M.S. FIN ’18)More Value with Business at Stuart
Elevate Your Future
Through Illinois Tech’s Elevate program, we guarantee you hands-on opportunities like internships and other valuable experiences. Add in your personalized Elevate Your Future plan, and you’ll have the twenty-first century skills to land a great job!
Your Career Is Our Priority
Stuart’s Career Management Center is dedicated to business students with individualized career counseling, resources for internship and job search, career pathway programs, and networking with business professionals.
Add a Master’s Degree
Start your career with a master’s! You can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Stuart in as few as five years, while keeping your undergrad scholarships, through Illinois Tech’s Accelerated Master’s Program.
Featured Faculty
John Twombly
Li Cai
Gregory Chaudoin
Ghazale Haddadian
Charles T. Hamilton
Priyanka Sharma
Andrew Kumiega
Nik Rokop
Stuart Stands Out
Earn 2 Degrees (B.S. + Master's) in 5 Years
Choose a Stuart master's in finance, marketing analytics, public policy and administration, or tech entrepreneurship
Only Business School in a Tech-Focused University in Chicago
Stuart is AACSB Accredited. Only 6% of Business Schools Globally Are.
—Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International