Minor in Finance

A Beloit College student works through finance examples involving stock options.

Invest smarter and think strategically

What is Finance?

The finance minor introduces students to how money flows through organizations, markets, and economies, and how financial decisions shape real-world outcomes. Students gain a foundation in financial principles such as valuation, risk, and investment strategy while learning how finance connects to economics, data, and human decision-making. The minor is designed to complement a wide range of majors, from economics and mathematics to political science, data analytics, and the sciences.

Why study Finance?

A finance minor helps you understand the financial forces that influence nearly every field. You will learn how to interpret financial information, evaluate risk, and think analytically about investments, budgets, and organizational strategy. These skills are valuable whether you plan to work in business, public service, nonprofit leadership, policy, or graduate study.

This minor strengthens your ability to make evidence-based decisions in complex environments, because finance emphasizes quantitative reasoning, ethical judgment, and applied problem solving. It adds a practical, career-ready dimension to your primary field of study.

Why study Finance at Beloit College?

At Beloit College, finance is hands-on and closely connected to career development. Students in the finance minor learn from faculty with industry experience and apply concepts through real-world case studies, internships, and applied projects. Courses emphasize how financial decisions operate in global, social, and ethical contexts, not just spreadsheets in isolation.

Students benefit from Beloit College’s distinctive business ecosystem, including access to the Concierge Internship Program, Executive-in-Residence mentorship, and professional networking opportunities such as the Business Networking Summit at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Close advising and small classes ensure that students can tailor the minor to their interests while building financial fluency that employers value.

Details

Specialization

Minor

Credits Required

6 units (24 semester hours)

Format

In-person

Related Departments & Schools

Related Offerings

Finance curriculum

The finance minor provides a focused introduction to financial markets, corporate decision-making, and quantitative analysis. Coursework emphasizes practical application, data-informed reasoning, and ethical financial thinking that complements students’ primary academic interests.

Finance Minor (6 Units)

One unit of Business 110.
One unit of Economics 112.
One unit of Business 216.
One unit of Economics 245.
Finance courses: 2 units chosen from Business 217, 218, 340, 341, 350, 382 or Business 270 (when the topic is relevant).

Students may not count more than 3 units from the above listed minor requirements for their major.

Students may declare a maximum of one major and a maximum of one minor with the Department of Economics and Business. Students who do not major with the Department of Economics and Business may declare up to two minors.

Courses introduce financial markets, investment strategy, corporate finance, and applied financial modeling.

[ECON 199] Principles of Economics: This course takes an analytical approach to economic reasoning and contemporary economic issues. It introduces microeconomic and macroeconomic theories with applications to relevant issues such as employment, growth, international trade and finance, monetary and fiscal policy, and environmental issues.
[ECON 212] Intermediate Macroeconomics: In this course, construction of an organized theoretical framework facilitates an understanding of the behavior of variables such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment. An open economy approach is taken, and international analyses abound. Alternative fiscal and monetary policy strategies receive scrutiny in a variety of environments.
[BUSN 216] Financial Accounting: Students learn the fundamentals of accounting, including the accounting equation, the accounting process, journal entries, and cash vs. accrual accounting. Some fundamentals of finance are also covered: time value of money, present value, future value, and how to value an asset using the discounted cash flow approach.
[ECON 245] Money and Banking: The nature and functions of money and of commercial banks and a critical analysis of the operation of the modern commercial banking system. Central banking, the Federal Reserve System, and monetary policy. The relationships of money and credit to price levels and national income.
[BUSN 340] Investment and Portfolio Management: This course provides a basic understanding of the investment process and the investment management world and career. Students learn: the various types of investment instruments and trading mechanisms available in the financial markets, how to measure and manage risk in the context of portfolio management, analytical techniques used for the evaluation of financial assets, and how to construct, manage, and evaluate the performance of an investment portfolio.

Finance outcomes

Completing a finance minor from Beloit College equips students with financial literacy, analytical confidence, and applied skills that strengthen career readiness across fields.

Students completing the finance minor will be able to:

Explain core financial concepts and financial decision-making frameworks.
Interpret financial statements and market data.
Apply quantitative reasoning to evaluate financial problems.
Build basic financial models and analyze risk and return.
Use financial tools and data to support informed decision-making.
Connect financial analysis to ethical, social, and global contexts.

Accounting & Financial Reporting: Prepare financial information, review transactions, and help organizations meet reporting requirements. ($55,000 → $120,000+)
Banking & Financial Services: Support client accounts, analyze transactions, and help manage financial products and services. ($35,000 → $110,000+)
Corporate Finance: Analyze budgets, track spending, and support financial decisions within organizations. ($55,000 → $110,000+)
Data Analytics & Reporting: Gather data, create reports, and help teams make evidence-based decisions. ($50,000 → $100,000+)
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development: Plan ventures, test ideas, and coordinate operations for new or growing businesses. (highly variable)
Financial Analysis & Planning: Evaluate financial data, build forecasts, and help guide long-term organizational decisions. ($50,000 → $120,000+)
Risk Management & Insurance: Identify risks, evaluate exposure, and help organizations plan for financial protection. ($50,000 → $110,000+)
Supply Chain & Logistics: Coordinate purchasing, transportation, and distribution to ensure products move efficiently and reliably. ($45,000 → $100,000+)

Reviewed on November 2025. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary figures shown here are estimates. Actual pay will vary by position, industry, location, education, and experience. Some pathways and positions may require additional education or certifications. For more detailed information, please explore reputable career and salary resources.

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