Complete Your WGU Finance BS in 12–18 Months

Why WGU’s Finance Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

Through Western Governors University’s finance program, graduates gain practical expertise in areas like financial analysis, risk management, and investment strategy, preparing them for roles such as financial analyst, budget manager, or corporate finance leader. Offering the flexibility students need to balance work, school, and personal commitments, this degree is also hackable because it has:

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Flexible Format Designed to Fast-Track Your Degree

• Move ahead in your courses the moment you’ve demonstrated subject mastery instead of waiting for a traditional semester

• Concentrate your efforts on advanced finance topics instead of repeating general education courses you’ve already taken

• Transfer up to 90 approved competency units (CUs) and load multiple courses into each six-month term to dramatically cut your time to graduation

Career-Focused Preparation Employers Value

• Develop proficiency in corporate finance, investment analysis, financial modeling, risk management, and strategic decision-making while sharpening your analytical and communication skills

• Complete applied projects, case studies, and real-world assessments that reflect the challenges financial analysts, planners, and managers face every day

• Earn industry-relevant certificates in Strategic Thinking & Innovation and Leadership along the way, building credentials that showcase your ability to solve problems, drive change, and lead effectively in finance roles

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Why Most People Take 3.5 Years (And How to Do It in 12–18 Months)

Why most people take 3.5 years:

Many WGU finance students invest roughly three and a half years and about $30,000 simply because they don’t realize how easy it is to streamline their degree process.

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Here’s what typically happens:

• They start from scratch: Too often, students overlook transfer opportunities and miss out on up to 90 CUs that could shorten their degree path and reduce expenses.

• They skip exam-based credit pathways: CLEP, DSST, and other credit-by-exam options (designed to let students demonstrate knowledge they already have for college credit) are often underused, which forces some students to complete extra courses.

• They don’t create a fast-track plan early: Without an aggressive, well-structured course plan, gaps between assessments can increase their time to degree.

• They overpay for gen ed courses: Most students spend $3,830+ per six-month term on general education classes that could cost under $100 elsewhere.

Here's what degree hackers do that others don't:

• Get the most out of transfer credits: Complete most general education and foundational business/finance courses from low-cost, pre-approved providers before enrolling.

• Concentrate on WGU’s core finance curriculum: Complete only the specialized finance courses unique to the program in subjects like corporate finance, enterprise risk management, and financial management.

• Take full advantage of WGU’s flexible terms: WGU’s competency-based model lets you advance the instant you demonstrate proficiency, enabling multiple courses per term.

• Result: 12 months or less, ~$7,660 total for just two six-month terms

Hacking a WGU finance degree requires both a fast-track strategy and a clear, comprehensive timeline. One way to do this is by taking advantage of low-cost courses available elsewhere, while reserving WGU for the courses only it provides.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack This Degree

To get you started, we created this step-by-step degree-hacking playbook with input from WGU finance grads, tech insiders, and experienced online learners so you can chart the fastest, most affordable path to your finance degree.

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WGU Finance Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Front-load gen eds through Study.com - Courses like Composition, Intro to Communication, Applied Probability and Statistics, and US History transfer easily and cost significantly less than when you take them after enrolling at WGU.

• Submit every possible transcript and record - WGU often accepts credits students often overlook. Send prior college coursework, professional certifications, military training, or licenses for evaluation to maximize potential transfer units.

• Maximize the 90-CU transfer cap - Bringing in 75% of your degree can shorten the program from three and a half years to just roughly 12–18 months.

• Design a personalized transfer plan – Platforms like DegreeHacked.org will help you determine which lower-level math, science, and general education courses to finish elsewhere. A clear roadmap helps you hit the 90-CU target and reserve WGU time for upper-division finance courses, saving you significant fees and months of effort.

WGU Finance Degree Hacking Plan

Finance Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

Earning WGU’s 120-CU finance degree doesn’t require overloading your schedule. It calls for a well-planned approach: complete inexpensive general eds externally and dedicate your WGU terms to the high-value, upper-level classes.

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Here’s the breakdown:

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• ~31 CUs: General education courses (easily transferable)

• ~47 CUs: Core WGU courses for BS Finance (some transferable)

• ~12 CUs: WGU additional courses/business courses for BS Finance (easily transferable)

• 30 CUs: Upper-level finance courses (not transferable)

WGU Finance Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

_{NOTE: This is just a sample. The complete transfer plan includes all required courses with specific equivalencies and cost breakdowns.}

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Why Degree Hacking Works for WGU Finance Students:

• Cut Your Cost Per Class: With Study.com’s $95/month plan, you can complete four courses in a month for about $24 each, saving thousands compared to WGU tuition.

• Use Test-Out Options Such as CLEP/DSST: At $97 for CLEP and about $100 for DSST, these exams allow you to earn credit for what you already know, eliminating full courses in a single day and accelerating your graduation.

• Save WGU For the Important Stuff: Keep your WGU terms for upper-level BS Finance courses, the finance capstone, and faculty guidance that directly strengthen your career skills.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree hacking roadmap includes the following:  

✓ All 40 course-by-course transfer equivalencies for each required course
✓ Detailed WGU equivalencies with exact Study.com course codes and CLEP exam numbers
✓ Full cost estimate and suggested completion timeline

✓ Backup course and exam options if your first choice isn’t available

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Applying to WGU for the Bachelor’s in Finance

When to Apply: Timing Your Enrollment Strategically

One strategic move would be to complete your transfer credits before submitting your WGU application. This approach lets you start right away on the upper-level finance courses and avoid repeating lower-division work.

WGU Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• Complete and submit the online application form

• Send all transcripts, credentials, or score reports directly to WGU

• Feedback for transfer evaluation is typically sent within a few business days

• Start dates are usually on the 1st of every month

Costs, Aid & Ways to Pay Less for Your WGU Degree

• Flat tuition per six-month term: $3,830 per six-month term + resource/tech fee

• FAFSA, WGU scholarships and grants, military and employer benefits are available  

• Knock out gen ed/electives externally

WGU Bachelor’s in Finance Career ROI

• Median salary for Financial Analysts is $101,910 per year

• Degree Payback Time: ~1–2 years (depending on starting role and career pace)

• Lifetime Earnings Boost: +$2M–$5M over a 40-year career (depending on location, job level, and career pace)

• Pluses: Career flexibility, high advancement ceiling, competitive pay progression, foundation for certifications, global opportunities

• Typical Roles: Financial Analyst, Corporate Finance Manager, Investment Advisor, or Risk Management Specialist

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