Finance is one of the oldest disciplines there is. Because we make financial decisions daily, it’s no surprise that finance is a popular academic subject. Finance is an excellent choice for those who want to learn how the global economy works and what the keys are to making money, investing, and being financially self-sufficient.
Best country to study Finance
For those of you who want to study Finance but don’t want to get into debt to do it, there are countries where tuition fees are low
The United States
Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
In the US, the job outlook for positions like ‘Financial Analyst’ or ‘Financial Examiner’ is great. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a growth of 5 - 7% in these fields in the next 10 years. The median salary of around 81,000 USD per year shouldn’t be overlooked either.
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New York is often seen as the finance capital of the world
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Numerous investment groups and large banks have their headquarters in the US
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Chicago is a hotspot for trading
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Boston is well-known for its asset management market and thriving businesses
American universities we recommend for Finance studies:
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University of California, Riverside
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University of Portland
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Drexel University
Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden
If you come from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you can study a Finance programme for free at public universities in Denmark, Finland, or Sweden. Norway receives bonus points for applying the free-tuition policy to all international students.
As for the costs of living, these Nordic countries are generally more expensive than other European countries. Depending on the city in which you’ll live and study, the monthly budget will range between 700 and 1,400 EUR.
Universities in Nordic countries recommend for Finance studies:
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The University of Vaasa,
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BI Norwegian Business School,
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Aarhus University,
Germany
Almost all public universities in Germany offer free Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. This applies to all disciplines, including Finance, and to all international students regardless of their nationality.
As a student, for living costs, you’ll need between 700 and 1,000 EUR per month.
Universities in Germany recommend for Finance studies:
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University of Cologne
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CBS International Business School
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IU International University of Applied Sciences
France
France is another ideal destination in terms of tuition fees. At public universities, all international students pay tuition rates of under 1,000 EUR per year at all study levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.). You should also know that French institutions of higher education are well-regarded worldwide.
In terms of living costs, you’ll spend around 800–1,000 EUR in most cities, with the main exception being Paris. There, the costs grow significantly, up to 1,500–1,800 EUR per month.
Universities in France recommend for Finance studies:
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HEC Paris
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ESCP Business School
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Emlyon Business School
Switzerland
Zurich
While Bern might be the official capital of Switzerland, Zurich is definitely its financial and banking capital. Important global giants in the banking and trading fields have their headquarters here, and you can secure a high-paying job at one of them.
Bonus tip: to further increase your chances, speaking either French or German in addition to English is a significant advantage!
Universities in Switzerland recommend for Finance studies:
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University of St. Gallen (HSG)
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Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
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Sustainability Management School (SUMAS)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dubai
It’s no secret that Dubai wants to become the financial capital of the Middle East. And thanks to its fast development, it looks like this will happen sooner, rather than later. Numerous international organizations are opening branches and local offices here, which also creates new opportunities for Finance professionals.
Universities in the UAB we recommend for Financial studies:
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Ajman University
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Abu Dhabi University
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Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Average Salary of Finance Graduates:
The salaries of finance graduates are pretty high compared to other professions, and they vary from country to country and according to the specialization chosen. Given below is the average annual salary:
| Country | Job Role | Average annual salary |
| United States | Financial Analyst | $80k |
| United Kingdom | Senior Financial Analyst | £29,809 |
| Germany | Financial Analyst | €64,182 |
| Canada | Senior Financial Analyst | CA$163,149 |
Source: Job portals (Payscale, Glassdoor and others)
