Dallas, TX, Schools with Finance Programs
At least two schools in the city of Dallas offer finance programs and another is just outside the city limits. This article looks at those institutions, none more than 25 minutes from downtown Dallas, and at the degree programs they offer. There's also a table of data about each school, such as the enrollment and tuition, which prospective students can refer to as they make a decision regarding their education. At the end of the article is a listing of a few more area schools with finance studies.
- The closest school to the downtown area is Southern Methodist University (SMU), which is about five miles away. SMU offers Bachelor of Business Administration programs in finance and financial consulting, a Master of Business Administration program in finance and a Master of Science in Finance.
- The other school option in the city is Dallas Baptist University, approximately seven miles from downtown Dallas. Students at this school can complete a Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Business Studies program in finance or a Master of Business Administration program in finance.
- Another option is The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) in Richardson, TX, about ten miles from downtown Dallas. UT Dallas offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs with studies in finance.
Comparison of Schools
Individuals need to be aware of many factors when choosing a school. The following table makes it easy to compare these schools in several important areas.
| Southern Methodist University | Dallas Baptist University | The University of Texas at Dallas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Four-year; private, not-for-profit | Four-year; private, not-for-profit | Four-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 12,385* | 4,340* | 29,696* |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Large city | Midsize city |
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2021-2022) | $60,236* | $33,620* | $14,564 in-state; $39,776 out-of-state* |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Any Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021) | 77%* | 96%* | 74%* |
| % of Undergraduates Students Admitted (2021) | 53%* | 94%* | 87%* |
| Retention Rates for First-Time Students (2020-2021) | 91% of full-time students* | 68% of full-time students* | 88% of full-time students* |
| Graduation Rates for First-Time Students (for those who began their studies in 2015) | 82%* | 61%* | 72%* |
Sources: *National Center for Education Statistics.
Southern Methodist (SMU) University
SMU also has another campus in Plano, TX, which is located approximately 19 miles north of Dallas. Through the Cox School of Business, students can complete undergraduate and graduate coursework in finance.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance, Financial Consulting or Finance with a Specialization in Alternative Asset Management
Students enrolled in any of these three programs complete core courses in advanced financial management as well as investment analysis and portfolio management. For the general finance program, core courses also include intermediate accounting and international finance. Those who want to specialize in alternative asset management can apply for admission beginning in their junior year. The alternative asset management program also includes a summer internship. The financial consulting major emphasizes study in accounting, financial statements and world markets.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance or Financial Consulting
MBA students at SMU can pursue the finance concentration, which requires 16 credit hours of coursework. For the finance option, students can further focus their studies in corporate finance, energy finance or investments. The full-time MBA program takes two years to complete and requires a total of 65 credit hours.
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
This program can be completed in just two semesters of study and requires the completion of 30 credit hours made up of accounting, finance and economics courses. Some course options may include managerial economics, valuation and analysis, hedge funds, energy risk management and financial modeling.
Dallas Baptist University (DBU)
DBU also has a campus in Plano, TX, about 19 miles away from the downtown Dallas area. Students at DBU can complete a business administration undergraduate finance program through the College of Business or a business studies bachelor's program in finance through the College of Adult Education/Professional Studies. The College of Business also offers an MBA program in finance.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance
Students enrolled in the BBA program must complete 24 credits of finance courses, including required courses in money and financial institutions, financial accounting, securities analysis and personal financial planning. Students then get to select four additional finance courses from a limited set of options. This program also features 33 credits of core business courses covering a variety of topics.
Bachelor of Business Studies in Finance
Unlike the BBA in Finance program, this program does not include a set of core business courses. Instead, students must complete eight designated finance courses along with two finance electives. Some of the courses students can expect to take include business and public law, principles of marketing and corporate financial management. The remainder of the curriculum consists of general education requirements and elective courses.
Master of Business Administration - Finance Concentration
The MBA finance program is focused on equipping students with general knowledge of financial institutions, financial management and investment strategies. Students are also taught advanced principles in budgeting, international finance and portfolio management. The MBA program consists of 36 credits, which includes 12 credits of finance classes. The MBA core curriculum covers a broad range of subjects, including leadership in management, business ethics and management information systems.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Through the Naveen Jindal School of Management, students may earn a bachelor's or master's degree in finance. The school also offers a doctoral degree program in management science with a concentration in finance.
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Students in this program will be responsible for 120 credits of coursework. This includes 42 credits of core curriculum, 74 credits for the major and four credits in electives. The major also has tracks in corporate finance, investment, real estate investment management, risk management and insurance, and financial mathematics.
Master of Science in Finance
Students in the finance master's program can enroll in the general finance curriculum or select one of three concentrations: financial analyst, corporate finance/investment banking, and real estate finance. Each of these concentrations requires the completion of 18 credits. Students will also need to finish 18 credits for the core curriculum and 18 credits in electives. Topics include financial accounting, financial management and the analysis of financial statements.
Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance
The MBA finance option teaches students how to analyze and maximize financial strategies involving fixed income and equity investments. The full-time MBA program can be completed in only 16 months and consists of 53 credit hours.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management Science with a Concentration in Finance
To complete this program, students must complete theoretical courses, seminars, research papers, exams and a dissertation. Topics covered include advanced managerial accounting, data and quantitative analysis, control theory and statistics. Students are also required to complete two finance seminars.
Incoming students need to have GRE or GMAT scores and at least a bachelor's degree. This program also requires prerequisite courses in calculus, statistics, programming, probability and matrix algebra. Students who don't have a master's degree may need to complete additional courses.
Other School Options
Students may also complete undergraduate and graduate courses in finance at The University of Texas at Arlington. The campus is located at about 23 miles from downtown Dallas. Another option is Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, located approximately 33 miles from Dallas. Students at this school can complete an undergraduate program in finance through the School of Business Administration.
