Best Online Finance Degree Programs

Are you intrigued by how money works? Do you enjoy analyzing market trends and making predictions related to the financial performance of assets? Or maybe you’re comfortable with evaluating scenarios and taking risks with investment products to earn significant returns and build wealth.

An online finance degree can help you master critical concepts and skills you’ll need to attract employers. Let Benzinga help you find the perfect fit. 

Why Choose an Online Finance Degree?

Online finance degrees may appeal to you if you’re always on the go or prefer to learn from the comfort of your home. They’re also an ideal option if you want to attend a particular institution but live in another city or state. 

But why a degree in finance? For starters, the opportunities are endless, and the industry is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to experience unprecedented growth through 2026. 

Furthermore, you won’t invest in just any degree. Your investment will be well worth it when you land a job with a hefty salary — not uncommon in the finance industry. If you grow tired of a particular role and want to pivot, you shouldn’t struggle to find work elsewhere. 

Some other reasons to pursue an online finance degree: 

• Help individuals manage their assets, plan for their financial future and build wealth. 
• Analyze financial markets and help businesses operate more efficiently.
• Explore other rewarding career paths. 
• Work closely with bankers, accountants and professionals in other related industries. 

You can set the stage for a bright financial future as you climb the ladder and pursue higher-paying job opportunities. 

How to Choose an Online Finance Degree Program

Wondering how to choose the best online finance degree program for you? Keep the following in mind as you narrow down your options: 

Format 

How is the program structured? Are courses delivered through platforms you’re familiar with or that are easy to navigate? Do instructors pre-record lectures, or are you expected to tune in when they provide instruction? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when evaluating online finance degree options. 

Cost of Attendance 

Pursuing an online finance degree requires a sizable investment, though you can offset these costs with financial aid. But before you enroll in a program, compare the cost of attendance to the rates of other comparable institutions. If the rates are much higher, it may be best to pursue programs with lower costs. 

Also, check out the institution's tuition rates for the past few years. Hefty annual increases could mean you’ll pay far more than you should while working towards earning your degree. 

Academic and Technical Support 

The institution you choose should offer both academic and technical support to distance learning students. Online courses come with a unique set of challenges for newbies, so you want to have support on standby just in case you need assistance. 

Academic advisors that cater to online students are a plus. Technical support should also be available 24/7 or for extended hours to help students if needed. 

Jobs Waiting for You with a Finance Degree

You’ll quickly notice the volume of roles available to finance degree holders. Here are a few of the top opportunities: 

Financial Manager 

Financial managers oversee the financial well-being of organizations. Tasks include creating financial projections and reports, spearheading investing activities and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. You may also be responsible for identifying market trends that warrant growth opportunities and increase profits.

The median pay for 2018 was $127,990, which equates to $61.53 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Financial Analyst 

Land an entry-level role as a financial analyst with a finance degree. You’ll be responsible for analyzing historical and current financial data to make investment recommendations, performing company valuations and creating written reports. As a financial analyst, you will also analyze investment opportunities and provide essential feedback to decision-makers. 

According to BLS.gov, the median pay for financial analysts was $85,660 or $41.18 per hour in 2018. 

Personal Financial Advisor 

Personal financial advisors work directly with individuals to set financial goals, devise a feasible plan of action and make adjustments if needed. They also educate clients on matters related to retirement planning, college savings, estate planning, taxes, mortgages, insurance and investments. 

The amount you earn will vary by your client load. However, the median salary in 2018 for personal financial advisors was $88,890 per year, as noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Best Online Colleges for a Finance Degree

Many colleges and universities feature finance degrees as a part of their distance learning component. 

We’ve conducted hours of research to bring you the best online colleges for a finance degree. Below, you will find Benzinga’s top picks, a description of each degree program and the tuition rate so you can make a decision and enroll with confidence. 

1. Penn State University 

Penn State University offers a Bachelor of Science in finance through its World Campus. The degree is presented in conjunction with Penn State Erie’s Behrend Campus and designated as a CFAⓇ Institute University Affiliation Program. It’s also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). 

This program focuses on core finance principles, like capital management, investment and portfolio management, personal finance and financial institutions. You’ll also develop conceptual and analytical skills that can be leveraged to excel in a finance role. 

Planning to sit for the Certified Financial Planning (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams? The information presented in the courses will prepare you to pass on the first attempt. 

The tuition per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state students is $576 and $617, respectively. You need 120 credits to complete the course.  

Enroll now. 

2. Northeastern University 

Check out the Bachelor of Science in finance and accounting management from Northeastern University for finance or accounting degrees. 

Also accredited by the AACSB, the curriculum covers essential concepts related to finance, accounting, globalization, sustainability, technology, regulation and so much more. It delves into the best practices of financial and nonfinancial transparency, disclosure and the language of financial markets. 

You will also learn how to perform vital financial tasks, like:

• Creating and managing budgets
• Increasing the financial efficiency of the organization 
• Leveraging assets 
• Maximizing investments
• Measuring and disclosing essential information and metrics

Tuition is $541 per credit hour, and a minimum of 120 semester hours are required to complete the program. 

Enroll now. 

3. Dickinson State University

You can earn a B.S. in business administration-finance online from Dickinson State University. The program includes the following intended learning outcomes:

• Solve significant issues in financial management.
• Apply the conceptual framework of financial accounting and reporting in business.
• Make recommendations for decision alternatives by leveraging business concepts and theories.
• Apply international business concepts, theories and practices in the field.
• Apply management theories and practices in the field. 

You’ll need to maintain a 2.25 GPA and complete pre-major, business core and finance major core courses. The latter includes classes on business valuation, corporate finance, financial institutions and markets, financial statement analysis, international finance and more. 

Tuition is $352.43 per credit hour for distance education. 

Enroll now. 

4. Missouri State University 

The opportunities are endless with a Bachelor of Science in finance from Missouri State University. The program is also accredited by the AACSB and holds the CFA Institute-affiliate designation. 

You can prepare for a career as a banker, broker, financial analyst, financial planner, portfolio manager and a host of other lucrative professions. Plus, Missouri State’s Career Center is available to assist you with your resume, interview skills and job search. 

Interested in becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)? The degree program also equips you with the knowledge to sit for the CFA Level 1 Exam.

Tuition is $295 per credit hour for both residents and non-residents. 

Enroll now. 

5. University of Minnesota Crookston 

Learn the fundamentals of finance with the Bachelor of Science finance degree program from the University of Minnesota Crookston. You’ll get both analytical and theoretical frameworks to effectively serve financial institutions. 

Discover performance and risk dimensions and how they relate to financial services companies. You will also learn how to: 

• Prepare personal financial plans for clients 
• Assess consumer financial needs and the resources at hand to fill voids
• Describe and apply financial theories, concepts and tools
• Evaluate the role of technology in economic, ethical and legal environments with relation to financial services 

The cost of attendance is $401.50 per credit hour. An online per credit fee of $50 also applies. 

Enroll now. 

6. Florida International University 

Interested in a career in banking, corporate finance or investments? Consider an online Bachelor of business administration in finance degree from Florida International University. 

The program shares foundational business and finance knowledge. Core topics covered include analysis and risk management, mathematics, economics, statistics and financial decision-making. You’ll learn how to:  

• Identify essential functions of institutions and financial markets.
• Examine how financial markets and institutions impact interest rates and interest rate differentials.
• Extend advanced time value of money concepts to capital budgeting, commercial and mortgage mathematics. 
• Analyze the implications of financial markets and international integration for financial managers.
• Understand commercial banking. 

You’ll need 120 credits to complete the program. The tuition per credit hour is $228.81 and $345.87 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.

Enroll now. 

7. The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Want to excel as a finance professional? Enroll in the bachelor’s finance degree program from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business. Similar to many other reputable online finance degree programs, it’s accredited by the AACSB. 

You’ll need to impress potential employers and stand out among your peers in the workplace. Whether you’re pursuing a corporate finance, financial analyst, investment services, real estate or another related role, this program is ideal for you. 

The courses are led by award-winning faculty members who connect with industry professionals and support the career goals of their students. The curriculum is innovative and actionable, so you’re sure to get a lot out of the online learning experience. 

Tuition is $441 per credit hour for residents and non-residents. 

Enroll now. 

8. University of Maryland 

An online bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Maryland teaches you the essentials of finance theory. The program merges finance, financial management, accounting, economic and business principles. You’ll also complete a series of intensive case studies to apply knowledge learned in the field.

Core learning objectives include preparing, analyzing and interpreting financial data, implementing economic and financial theories to make smart business decisions and collaborating to reach organizational goals. You’ll also learn how to apply security market principles to manage portfolios. 

Tuition is $306 per credit hour for in-state students and $499 per credit hour for nonresidents. 

Enroll now. 

9. Southern New Hampshire University 

Land a rewarding career as a CFP professional through Southern New Hampshire University’s online Bachelor of Science in business administration degree with a concentration in finance. The program is 120 credit hours and you can transfer up to 90 credit hours from another institution. 

Upon completion of the program, you’ll know how to develop financial plans, assess domestic and global economic environments and market conditions and analyze organizational financial statements. You’ll also learn to apply quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis to support financial decisions and apply ethical and legal practices to steer conduct and decision-making in the field. 

You can apply for consideration without paying an application fee. If accepted, expect to pay $320 per credit hour or $960 per course, along with a $150 graduation fee. Active-duty servicemembers and their spouses receive reduced tuition of $225 per credit hour or $675 per class. 

Enroll now. 

10. Old Dominion University 

The finance BSBA online program is a component of the Strome College of Business Department of Finance. Courses are designed to expand your business and finance knowledge so you can stand out in a competitive marketplace. 

You’ll acquire banking, financial decision-making, financing management, international financial management, investment and portfolio management skills. 

This undergraduate degree program is 120 credit hours. You have the option to transfer credits from other institutions and finish the final 30 credit hours with ODU Online. 

Virginia residents pay $356 per credit hour and out-of-state students pay $407 per credit hour. You may be eligible for a discounted rate on tuition if you’re an active-duty service member. 

Enroll now. 

Find the Best Online Finance Degree for You

When you're ready to move forward, start with our list of highly-rated recommendations. Compare what each offers and make a decision that meets your needs and budget.