What Is Wharton’s Introduction to Corporate Finance?
Wharton’s Introduction to Corporate Finance is a beginner-level course created and taught by Professor Michael R. Roberts of the legendary Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Available on Coursera, it’s designed to help students understand core concepts like time value of money, risk vs reward, interest rates, capital budgeting, and more.
Over 240,000 students have already taken the course, suggesting it’s one of the most recommended online options for grasping the foundations of finance.
This course is part of several Coursera specializations, including:
- Business Foundations
- Introduction to Finance and Accounting
Who Is This Course Best For?
This course is designed for:
- Business students or undergraduates considering finance careers
- Job seekers looking to stand out with technical finance skills
- Entrepreneurs interested in managing capital effectively
- Curious learners wanting to understand investments, risk, and corporate decision-making
While it’s branded as an “introductory” course, be prepared: some users have called this course “challenging for beginners.”
If you have zero knowledge of finance, you may want to start with a truly foundational course like Financial Markets by Yale’s Robert Shiller, also on Coursera.
The course is split into four weekly modules. Each one builds step-by-step to help students handle real-world financial scenarios.
Here’s a brief overview of what’s covered:
- Time Value of Money – Understand why $100 today is worth more than $100 tomorrow.
- Risk-Return Tradeoff – Learn how companies balance financial gains against investing risks.
- Capital Budgeting & Asset Valuation – Evaluate investment opportunities using DCF, NPV, IRR.
- Financing & Retirement Savings – Explore loan amortization, mortgage math, and long-term savings.
These concepts are critical for anyone looking to:
- Calculate ROI
- Budget for large capital expenditures
- Make informed investment decisions
- Build a foundation for advanced topics like M&A or startup finance
The course also offers assessments and quizzes after each section for reinforcement.
What makes this course unique is its blend of academic rigor and real-world application.
Taught by a Wharton finance professor, you’re not just learning from someone who knows the theory — you’re hearing from someone who helps shape it at one of the world’s top business schools.
Students especially appreciated how the course connects theory to everyday financial decisions. Topics like discounted cash flow and internal rate of return are explained clearly and supported by use cases such as evaluating mortgage terms or business investments.
“An excellent course overall. I really enjoyed the learning experience and look forward to more courses from Wharton. Special thanks to Professor Michael Roberts.”
Pros and Cons: Honest Breakdown
Pros:
- 🏫 Taught by a world-class professor from Wharton
- 📈 Core finance skills taught through real-world frameworks
- 🔁 Integrated with Coursera specializations for further learning
- 💡 Applied focus — not just theory, but practical takeaways
- ⭐ Strong student reviews; over 6,000 ratings
Cons:
- 🚧 Steep learning curve for absolute beginners
- 🎓 Not ideal if you lack basic math or accounting knowledge
- ⏳ Not self-paced — quizzes require some structured study time
That said, many students who found the course “tough” still rated it positively because of the long-term value it offers.
How It Compares to Other Corporate Finance Courses
Here’s how Wharton’s course stacks up against other popular online finance courses:
| Course | Platform | Focus Area | Difficulty | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wharton’s Intro to Corporate Finance | Coursera | General finance foundations | Intermediate | ~4 weeks |
| M&A: Introduction to Corporate Finance by Tim Vipond | Udemy | Mergers & acquisitions, LBOs | Intermediate | ~6 hours |
| Fundamentals of Corporate Finance – Sentinel|9 | Self-Hosted | Budgeting, operations, forecasting | Intermediate | ~8–10 hours |
Wharton’s version stands out due to its academic credibility and integration with broader specializations, which is perfect if you want to go beyond the fundamentals.
According to a course analysis by Online Course Report, it’s one of the most enrolled and highly-reviewed finance courses on the Coursera platform.
Is It Free? Understanding the Pricing Model
The course is accessible through Coursera, which offers several enrollment options:
- Enroll in the course individually (~$49/month)
- Subscribe to Coursera Plus (Access to 7,000+ courses)
- Included in certificate-based programs & specializations
As of 2024, Coursera Plus occasionally runs promotions offering up to 40% off annual plans — ideal if you’re planning to take multiple courses.
Keep in mind: while you can audit this course for free and watch video lectures, access to assignments, quizzes, and the certificate requires a paid plan.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If you’re serious about building a strong foundation in finance — whether for business, investment, or career advancement — Wharton’s Introduction to Corporate Finance is absolutely worth it.
Here’s why:
- It comes from a world-renowned institution
- It teaches real-world finance tools used in top companies
- It’s part of strategic skill-focused specializations
- You’ll gain both academic understanding and business-ready skills
Just remember: it’s not “Finance 101.” Beginners may need some prep before jumping in.
For intermediate learners or ambitious beginners, though — this is one of the best online finance courses available today.
If you found this review helpful, consider exploring courses in the full Business Foundations Specialization on Coursera. Education is an investment — choose wisely.