Personal Finance, BS

Personal Finance at UW–Madison ranked #2 in the nation by Wealthmanagement.com

The Personal Finance major offers two tracks: (1) the Financial Planning concentrations, a CFP Board-Registered program, for careers in personal financial advising, coaching, and wealth management, or (2) the Consumer Finance concentration with an emphasis on financial product development, financial technology, business administration, and consumer behavior.

Named a Top 35 Great College for the Program by Financial Planning magazine, UW–Madison is one of a few schools in the nation offering this Bachelor of Science degree. By combining finance and problem-solving with helping people, the Personal Finance major prepares students for a rewarding career with hands-on learning opportunities such as internships and peer educator positions to help them succeed in a rapidly growing field.

Inside the Degree

Coursework & Careers

The School of Human Ecology’s Personal Finance major is a Bachelor of Science program registered with the Certified Financial Planner® Board of Standards. Our coursework is interdisciplinary with an emphasis on financial management and the economic well being of individuals and families.

Students can take one of two tracks: the more traditional Financial Planning Concentration for careers in counseling, coaching, and wealth management, or the Consumer Finance Concentration working on financial product development, financial technology, and consumer behavior. All graduates who complete the Financial Planning Concentration leave fully prepared to sit for the prestigious Certified Financial Planner® exam, which SoHE students pass at a rate well above the national average.

In the Personal Finance program, you’ll learn to design financial products and craft polices to meet people’s needs, preparing you for employment in a variety of growing fields.