W. P. Carey Department of Finance
The Department of Finance provides structured thinking to simplify a complex world. Our finance and real estate faculty deliver frontier-informed, relevant curriculum to thousands of highly qualified students — while contributing expertise to government agencies, private foundations, and industry. Together, we are reshaping markets worldwide. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally for finance research productivity
No. 6 in the U.S. for online MBA finance specialty*
No. 9 in the U.S. for finance undergraduate programs**
*Ahead of Ohio State, Washington, and University of Arizona; U.S. News & World Report, 2025
**Among public universities; U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Finance and real estate faculty
Faculty members in the Department of Finance at W. P. Carey are award-winning researchers, educators, and practitioners respected for their contributions to the theory and practice of finance and related disciplines. Our faculty have deep expertise in corporate finance, asset pricing, governance, market microstructure, portfolio management, real estate, and more.
>> Interested in joining our school? Explore job openings in the Department of Finance and Division of Real Estate.
Message from our chair
"Finance permeates almost every business decision, impacts household planning, and informs policy making. In periods of heightened uncertainty, the disciplined thinking about risk that finance provides is as important as ever." Read more...
Laura Lindsey, Department of Finance Chair and Cutler Family Endowed Professor
Undergraduate degrees and certificates
Discover your future career path through innovative undergraduate programs from the W. P. Carey Department of Finance. You'll learn the requisite concepts, technologies, and tools to prepare for a range of exciting roles across a variety of industries. Support your education with major-specific scholarships and gain expertise in your chosen path through unique applied learning experiences.
Graduate degrees
Our graduate-level finance and real estate students receive a comprehensive, hands-on education that prepares them for higher-level roles in business or academia. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to build strong relationships with faculty members, practitioners, and alumni who serve as valuable mentors.
Master’s and MBA programs
Our master’s and MBA programs deliver the analytical skills and market knowledge needed for career transition or advancement. With a leading-edge curriculum and immersive experiential projects, whether in finance or real estate development, you'll have the opportunity to practice applying what you learn in your desired field.
PhD program
The finance doctoral program equips PhD students with the skills to critically analyze and conduct research on current finance questions. It provides a rigorous curriculum focused on the latest developments in finance, supported by coursework in economics and statistics. As one of the nation's most productive finance departments, our students benefit from personalized mentorship and attention as we prepare them for academic careers in research and teaching at leading universities.
Research and impact
The W. P. Carey Department of Finance conducts academic and applied research across key focus areas, often considering broader societal impact. We foster collaboration with industry experts and other academic units to disseminate our research, boost public understanding, and provide valuable insights to government, business, and academic decision-makers.
Research areas
Corporate finance research focuses on the investment and financing decisions of firms, with particular attention to the agency problems arising from separation of ownership and control. Faculty expertise includes liquidity policy, executive and non-executive compensation, shareholder monitoring and governance, capital allocation, and risk management strategies.
Our finance faculty investigate factors that determine the valuation and expected returns of a wide variety of both financial and real assets, with implications for personal investment decisions, professional portfolio management, and market design. Current areas of interest span factor models, belief formation, pricing uncertainty, and the implications stemming from differing investment horizons.
Financial intermediation is crucial in connecting the household and corporate sectors. Research in this area considers traditional banks, delegated asset managers such as mutual funds and hedge funds, and specialized intermediaries like venture capital and emerging financial technology firms that facilitate innovation.
Finance department researchers study household financial decisions, with a focus on borrowing, saving, and investing. We also explore effects of market developments and public policies, with particular interest in retirement planning and real estate.
Real estate is a key driver of the nation's economy, and financial analysis is critical for effective decision-making in the industry. We are committed to advancing real estate education and research through the W. P. Carey Center for Real Estate and Finance.
Centers and labs
Industry and community partners
The W. P. Carey Department of Finance collaborates with a range of industry and community partners to fuel the creation of new knowledge, develop innovative educational programs, and facilitate meaningful impact. We spark dialogue about pressing industry challenges, strengthening ties between theory, practice, and future leaders.
Grambling State University
The W. P. Carey School of Business partnered with Grambling State University (GSU) to expand access to high-quality real estate education. Through this partnership, GSU students are able to complete select real estate coursework for transfer to their home institution, thus introducing more students to ASU business education and real estate careers.
Financial literacy outreach
We partner with non-profit organizations and schools to empower K-12 students to take charge of their financial futures. Our financial literacy programs provide high school students with the foundation needed for sound financial habits and teachers with the expertise needed to teach complex personal finance topics, positively impacting financial capability for the next generation.
News and events
Keep up with what’s new in the W. P. Carey Department of Finance. We host a range of events annually, including the Finance Seminar Series, Sonoran Winter Finance Conference, and topical real estate programming.
Get involved!
>> For additional opportunities throughout W. P. Carey, check out the school’s calendar of events.
Read our research and stories
Visit W. P. Carey News and W. P. Carey magazine for faculty research highlights, as well as student and alumni stories.