Financial Risk Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Financial Risk Management equips students with advanced analytical and strategic frameworks to identify, measure, and mitigate financial uncertainty within corporate and institutional environments. This program prepares professionals to navigate complex market dynamics by integrating quantitative methods with regulatory and operational insights across global financial systems.
- Banking and Bank Regulations: Explores the legal and compliance frameworks governing financial institutions, emphasizing capital adequacy, liquidity standards, and systemic risk oversight.
- Derivative Securities: Covers the design, valuation, and risk implications of financial derivatives such as swaps, forwards, and structured products used in hedging and speculation.
- Interest Rate and Credit Markets: Analyzes the behavior and interrelationships of markets that determine borrowing costs and creditworthiness, including yield curves, credit spreads, and default risk modeling.
- Financial Engineering of Systematic Risk: Focuses on constructing mathematical and computational models to quantify, simulate, and manage risks that affect entire markets or economies.
- Equity, Bond, Futures, and Options Markets: Provides in-depth study of capital market instruments, including trading mechanics, pricing theories, and risk exposure across different asset classes.
Financial Risk Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Financial Risk Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Financial Risk Management degrees, including Financial Managers, Financial Risk Specialists and General and Operations Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 5,056,910 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Managers 11-3031 | $161,700 | $86,490 - $239,200 | 818,620 | $77.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialists 13-2054 | $106,000 | $62,270 - $182,310 | 56,320 | $50.96 |
| General and Operations Managers 11-1021 | $102,950 | $47,420 - $239,200 | 3,584,420 | $49.50 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts 13-2051 | $101,350 | $62,410 - $180,550 | 340,580 | $48.73 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Credit Analysts 13-2041 | $80,970 | $52,930 - $168,840 | 67,370 | $38.93 |
| Insurance Underwriters 13-2053 | $79,880 | $51,640 - $138,020 | 107,820 | $38.40 |
Financial Risk Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $73,689 in Arkansas to $133,714 in New York—a 81% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, District of Columbia, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 5,056,910 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Financial Risk Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 1 institutions offering Financial Risk Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Financial Risk Management is found at Grand Canyon University (GCU) (3 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Financial Risk Management programs
How much can I earn with a Financial Risk Management degree?
Salaries for Financial Risk Management graduates vary by role and location. Financial Managers earn a median of $161,700 annually, while Financial Risk Specialists earn around $106,000. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $133,714 compared to $73,689 in Arkansas. Approximately 5,056,910 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Financial Risk Management programs?
Currently 1 accredited institutions offer Financial Risk Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Grand Canyon University (GCU) (3 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Financial Risk Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Financial Managers, Financial Risk Specialists, and General and Operations Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 5,056,910 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Business Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Business field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Hospitality and Recreation Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to provide marketing services in the hospitality and leisure fields. Includes instruction in hospitality operations, customer sales and...
Specialized Sales and Marketing Operations
Any instructional program in sales, marketing, and distribution operations not listed above.
Construction Management
A program that prepares individuals to manage, coordinate, and supervise the construction process. Includes instruction in commercial, residential, mechanical, highway/heavy civil, electrical, environmental,...
Construction Project Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply project management knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques in the construction and facility management industries. Includes instruction...
Telecommunications Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply business skills to design, implement, and manage the voice, video, and data networking systems of organizations....
Business and Management Services
Any instructional program in business, management, marketing and related support services not listed above.