Top liberal arts colleges for studying finance?

I'm looking into finance programs at liberal arts colleges, but I'm not sure which ones are considered the best in this field. I'm interested in both the quality of education and career prospects after graduation. Any recommendations?

While liberal arts colleges traditionally focus on a broad-based, holistic education, many do have outstanding programs in finance-related areas. Here are a few liberal arts schools that stand out for their finance and economics programs:

1. Williams College: One of the top liberal arts colleges in the country, Williams has a strong Department of Economics. In addition to economics courses, you can take classes in fields such as financial accounting and corporate finance. Williams also has a Career Center that helps students land internships and job placements in finance.

2. Claremont McKenna College (CMC): CMC is widely known for their Robert Day School of Economics and Finance. The school offers a unique program that integrates an understanding of economics and finance with politics, philosophy, and other areas. CMC also has a strong placement rate in finance jobs.

3. Middlebury College: The Economics department at Middlebury offers an array of courses on monetary theory, corporate finance, and investment practices. They also have a good career services team that helps connect students to opportunities in the finance industry.

4. Wesleyan University: Though better known for their social sciences and humanities, Wesleyan's Economics department offers several finance-related classes, and they have a excellent financial aid department too.

5. Colgate University: Highly regarded for its Economics curriculum, Colgate offers a finance concentration with courses including investments, financial markets, and corporate finance. Colgate students often find success in jobs and internships in the finance industry.

6. Lafayette College: Known for their Business and Economics programs, Lafayette offers a variety of related majors such as Economics, Business & Economics, and Policy Studies (which includes Economic Policy). The college also has a dedicated Career Center to connect students with internships and job opportunities.

Keep in mind that these degrees will not be the same as studying finance at a business school, but you will still gain a theoretical background and quantitative skills needed for a career in finance. Liberal arts colleges emphasize writing, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary study, which can be beneficial in any field.

Last but not least, consider visiting the colleges that interest you to see the campuses and potentially meet with faculty in the finance and economics departments. This can give you a better sense of the community and the type of support you would receive as a finance student.