Students Using the Ellis Finance and Analytics Lab.

Finance

Explore the fields of corporate finance, investments, financial planning, portfolio management and more.

Why Study Finance?

As a finance major at USD, you will learn to think critically and collaborate effectively. Here you will have access to state-of-the-art technology, courses, and extracurricular activities that are highly relevant and valued in the financial industry. You will have the option to follow one of three tracks in finance including Investments, Corporate Finance, and Financial Institutions Management to help you prepare and become successful in any area of finance. You will gain the knowledge to evaluate current and future values of organizations.

Set yourself up for success in the finance industry by building your understanding of financial analysis, financial management and financial systems.


Degrees & Offerings

Finance (B.B.A)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

A degree in finance provides a solid foundation for students wanting to explore careers such as financial analysts, financial planners, international traders, CFO's or Treasurers at major corporations, loan officers or bank examiners. You will develop the problem-solving, decision making and budgeting skills to help businesses thrive. As a finance major, it is essential to be a great communicator, team player and have a passion for numbers.

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Finance

Minor
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

The finance minor is available only to business students. You will expand your knowledge in money management, research and data analysis and be able to help organizations utilize their resources.

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Accelerated Business Administration (BBA/MBA)

Accelerated Program
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

Business majors meeting requirements for entry into the Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program may opt to complete both the B.B.A and M.B.A. concurrently. Students who pursue this fast-track option will be awarded their undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously, upon completion of the two programs. Permission to be awarded the undergraduate degree prior to the completion of the graduate degree is available.

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Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

Contact

Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
Three Interns in a Board Room Having a Discussion.

The real-world experiences you gain through an internship will equip you with valuable skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

In the USD Beacom School of Business, you will benefit from a robust internship program that has placed students across the country and globe. You will gain rich experiential learning opportunities and will be able to use the techniques you have learned in courses in a business setting. Plus, with our network of alumni around the world, you can access invaluable advice on how to achieve the career of your dreams.

Do you have your sights set on Washington, D.C.? Australia? Germany? Japan? Ireland? The USD Beacom School of Business can help you get there. There are various opportunities available ranging from two weeks to a full year. Our students have participated in conferences and faculty-led courses around the world, and our student aid helps make those once in a lifetime experiences affordable.

Learn More

USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Beacom School of Business. You may be interested in joining Beta Alpha Psi, Society for Human Resource Management or Coyote Capital Management  to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.

Explore Student Organizations

As a business administration student at USD, you will be supported by your faculty and peers to make connections between your academic experience and your career path. You will grow personally and professionally during their time on campus and your career development begins the first day of classes.

The Career Success Center has career development services to support students every step of the way. You will build relationships with alumni, employers and graduate schools to optimize internship, job and career opportunities. These partnerships assist you in developing co-curricular experiences that will help to ensure they are successful in their future pursuits.

USD offers a range of scholarships for students, including scholarships specifically for health services administration majors. The Beacom School of Business strives to recognize and reward outstanding students for their accomplishments and potential through scholarships and travel funding.

Learn More

Departments & FACILITIES

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in accounting and finance. Our faculty are experts in their fields, bringing practical experience working in different business, finance, marketing or accounting firms.
4 students talking in class at Beacom.

Accounting and Finance

Accounting and finance are among the most needed skill sets in the business world. The Division of Accounting and Finance prepares students through hands-on-experience in and out of the classroom so they can lead successful financial careers in any field.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Accounting & Finance Division. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and scholarship in training and development, emotional intelligence and management.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Klaus Beckmann

Klaus Beckmann

Interim Dean, Beacom School of Business

Specialty

Finance - incl Banking
Bio Image for Faculty Member Michael Allgrunn

Michael Allgrunn

Chair, Accounting and Finance Division, Professor

Specialty

Econometrics, Labor Economics, Analytics,Economics/ Managerial Economics
Bio Image for Faculty Member Feiwei Chen

Feiwei Chen

Assistant Professor of Finance
Bio Image for Faculty Member Erin Cornelsen

Erin Cornelsen

Instructor

Specialty

Accounting
Bio Image for Faculty Member James Driver

James Driver III

Assistant Professor of Finance

Specialty

Finance - incl Banking
Bio Image for Faculty Member Derek Franken

Derek Franken

Instructor of Accounting

Specialty

Accounting
Bio Image for Faculty Member Michael Petersen

Michael Petersen

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Kelli Saunders

Kelli Saunders

Assistant Professor of Accounting
Bio Image for Faculty Member Adrian Tippit

Adrian Tippit

Assistant Professor of Finance

Specialty

Finance - incl Banking
Bio Image for Faculty Member Brian Webb

Brian Webb

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Specialty

Tax Accounting
Bio Image for Faculty Member Nicholas Wilson

Nicholas Wilson

Assistant Professor

Specialty

Accounting
View All Faculty & Staff
Coyote Business Consulting Group having a Discussion.

Gain Real-World Experience

Coyote Business Consulting is a student-centered initiative at the USD Beacom School of Business designed to help businesses stay competitive in the state of South Dakota and throughout the region. The program enables student-teams, with the guidance of faculty advisors, to help businesses solve a critical problem for their organization.

Coyote Business Consulting is intended to be mutually beneficial for both the students and the businesses. The consulting service will be offered at no charge to businesses, and students will have the opportunity to receive academic credits, financial support, and real-world experience. This program is available to all businesses, but a special emphasis will be placed on small businesses, as they are the backbone of the economy.
Students Talking to a Professional.

Financial Management Association (FMA)

This organization works to expose USD's Finance and Business majors to as many facets of the world of finance as possible. The the past, they have traveled to New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Minneapolis and toured companies including Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Tesla, AirBNB, Facebook, NVIDIA and more. Being involved in FMA will give you the opportunity to ask practicing professionals questions and gain a deeper insight into possible career opportunities. 

FMA members benefit from:


  • Speakers
  • Leadership
  • Field Trips
  • Meetings and Networking
  • Seminars and Workshops
  • Business / Career Fair
  • Community Service Projects
Two Beacom students doing homework together.

Flexible Options

USD offers you flexible options to pursue your business degree where ever you want to be. In addition to our main campus experience, you can also complete this program at USD - Sioux Falls or online, opening the door to amazing career opportunities where you want them. As a business student, you will have access to the same advising and career resources the Beacom School of Business offers to main campus students.

Surprisingly Affordable

USD offers low tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, as well as scholarships, financial aid and employment opportunities to help make your education even more affordable.

Undergraduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Undergraduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees. 

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Scholarships

USD awards nearly $9.5 million in scholarships each year. View our scholarships to see which ones you may qualify for and how you can apply.



alum success story

Success story Conrad Adam smiling.
Interests in investments and banking led me to the Business School. The Finance and Accounting faculty create a top-notch learning experience and an outlet into career opportunity networks.  Following graduation, I completed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program, a three-year investment education curriculum. The Finance and Accounting education at USD was an excellent lead into a career in finance. 

Conrad Adam

B.B.A. Finance '18
Portfolio Management Associate, Hirtle, Callaghan & Co.
Minneapolis, MN.

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