Financial calculators are a must-have tool for college students, professors, and financial professionals alike. Others may find a financial calculator extremely helpful in making important financial decisions. Choosing the right calculator is essential. The following list should help.
1. HP 10BII
As the latest version of the HP 10B calculators, this calculator is quickly becoming popular among professors, students, and financial professionals. This calculator has over 100 built-in functions and, in most cases, requires less key strokes. Look for this calculator to replace the HP 12C as top choice among professionals. 
2. HP 12C
This calculator is a favorite among financial planners and investment advisors. Those who are familiar with RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) will like it, those who are not should probably stick with the HP 10Bs. It is a bit more pricey than 10 B, but it does come with 120 built-in functions.
3. HP 10B
This is the calculator of choice among college business, statistic, and financial courses because it is easy to use, has great capabilities and is easy on the pocketbook. Should be able to perform every financial calculation you need out of a hand-held calculator (I should know, it got me through all of my intermediate and advanced financial and statistical courses). With HP's focus on the newer HP10B II, the originals are harder to find.4. HP 17B II
This calculator offers the simplicity of algebraic notation, as seen in the 10Bs, and allows you to switch to RPN mode if that is your preferred method. This calculator offers over 250 built-in functions and clock and alarm abilities (just remember that complexity is a double-edged sword). If you find yourself doing lots of bond calculations, you should use this calculator.5. Texas Instruments BA II Plus
TI calculators are notorious for ease-of-use and their financial calculators follow suit. This calculator lacks some of the advanced functions you find in the HP calculators, but it should be good enough for most people (most advanced functions should be done on a computer anyways).6. Sharp EL733A
As the only financial representative on this list from Sharp, the calculator still is a viable alternative to the picks mentioned above. You trade in some capabilities for a cheaper price, but this calculator should hold up through most statistical courses and many financial courses.7. Texas Instruments BA 35 Solar
This calculator is one-step down from the BA II Plus, but it still allows you to compute the mean, the median, and, most importantly, the time value of money. This is the only calculator on the list to take advantage of solar power -- too bad, it saves money on expensive batteries. If price is a consideration, this calculator may be the least expensive on the list.