Best Online Associate in Finance

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Find top-ranked online associate in finance degree programs to prepare students to pursue entry-level positions as financial or accounting clerks, billing specialists, bookkeepers, and credit counselors.

Top 10 Online Associate in Finance Degrees

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  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  3. Davenport University
  4. Wilmington University
  5. Middle Georgia State University
  6. Harper College
  7. Volunteer State Community College
  8. Central Carolina Community College
  9. St. Petersburg College
  10. Anne Arundel Community College
  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  3. Anne Arundel Community College
  4. St. Petersburg College
  5. Wilmington University
  6. Hinds Community College
  7. Middle Georgia State University
  8. Rockland Community College
  9. Davenport University
  10. Harper College
  1. Middle Georgia State University 99%
  2. Davenport University 98%
  3. University of Cincinnati 85%
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks 65%
  1. St. Petersburg College 23 to 1
  2. Volunteer State Community College 22 to 1
  3. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 22 to 1
  4. Rockland Community College 20 to 1
  5. Nash Community College 20 to 1
  6. University of Cincinnati 19 to 1
  7. Middle Georgia State University 19 to 1
  8. Harper College 18 to 1
  9. Pitt Community College 18 to 1
  10. Roane State Community College 18 to 1
  1. Davenport University $20,964
  2. Wilmington University $11,760
  3. University of Cincinnati $10,099
  4. Harper College $9,372
  5. Prairie State College $8,610
  6. Anne Arundel Community College $7,590
  7. University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,296
  8. Rockland Community College $5,212
  9. Roane State Community College $4,326
  10. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College $4,296
  1. Davenport University $16,308
  2. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,265
  4. Wilmington University $9,000
  5. Middle Georgia State University $3,582
  1. Wilson Community College
  2. Johnston Community College
  3. Wayne Community College
  4. Hinds Community College
  5. Nash Community College
  6. Rockland Community College
  7. Fayetteville Technical Community College
  8. Pitt Community College
  9. Bluegrass Community and Technical College
  10. Cleveland State Community College
  1. Nash Community College
  2. Wilson Community College
  3. Johnston Community College
  4. Fayetteville Technical Community College
  5. Central Carolina Community College
  6. Cleveland State Community College
  7. Pitt Community College
  8. Wayne Community College
  9. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
  10. Prairie State College
  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks 65%
  2. University of Cincinnati 85%
  3. Davenport University 98%
  4. Middle Georgia State University 99%
  1. Johnston Community College 10 to 1
  2. Prairie State College 10 to 1
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  4. Wilson Community College 11 to 1
  5. Wilmington University 12 to 1
  6. Wayne Community College 12 to 1
  7. Davenport University 13 to 1
  8. Central Carolina Community College 13 to 1
  9. Hinds Community College 15 to 1
  10. Fayetteville Technical Community College 16 to 1
  1. Pitt Community College $1,824
  2. St. Petersburg College $1,943
  3. Wilson Community College $2,432
  4. Fayetteville Technical Community College $2,432
  5. Johnston Community College $2,432
  6. Central Carolina Community College $2,432
  7. Wake Technical Community College $2,432
  8. Wayne Community College $2,432
  9. Nash Community College $2,600
  10. Middle Georgia State University $2,728
  1. Middle Georgia State University $3,582
  2. Wilmington University $9,000
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,265
  4. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  5. Davenport University $16,308

Key Takeaways

  • The associate degree in finance is an affordable way to get started on your college education. The typical associate degree will take about two years to complete.

  • Many community colleges and two-year schools offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in finance.

  • Earning an online associate degree in finance can prepare you for a variety of entry level jobs in your field. Many students also continue into a bachelor’s degree program in finance or a related area.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Finance Degrees

Why get an associate in finance?

The online associate degree in finance is an excellent starting point both for prospective students with an interest in the financial sector and for working professionals hoping to advance their foundational business education. Many community colleges offer both in-person and online associate degree programs in finance.

The online finance associate degree is a particularly good option for those who are already working in the financial sector but who wish to balance the pursuit of an associate program with existing workplace responsibilities.

At the associate degree level, finance students often have the option to earn either an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science in Finance either online or in person.

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What will I learn while getting an associate in finance?

Students completing the online finance associate degree will typically take both general education courses and core courses in finance such as financial markets, financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial planning, and financial analysis. The typical online associates program in finance will provide students with core skills like how to navigate financial markets, how to read and produce financial statements, and how to remain in compliance with financial regulations.

Most students can complete the 60-credit associate degree in finance program in about two years.

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What can I do with an associate in finance?

This balance of topics makes the online finance associate degree a great fit for students seeking entry level opportunities as administrative assistants in corporate finance and financial planning as well as in clerical support roles for financial analysts. In order to become a certified financial planner or financial analyst, you would likely need to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related area. Online finance degree programs at the associate level can provide an affordable starting point for your college education on the way to a four-year degree.

Prospective students who plan to transition into a bachelor’s degree program in finance, business administration or a related area should pay close attention to the accreditation status of their their online associate degree. Getting a finance associate degree online is a great option as long as it has received accreditation from the colleges and schools commission in your region. Any online associate finance programs you’re considering should have this stamp of approval if you hope to transfer into an accredited four-year college.

Students interested in working in international finance should also look for finance degree programs with recognition from an international accreditation council.

The associate degree could also be a great starting point on your way to a four-year program and a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related subject area.

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Learn more about how to major in finance.

An associate degree is a great way for many to start their educational journey, but you may want to also consider an online bachelor’s in finance.

25 Best Online Associate in Finance Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/26

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $12,334
    Expenses: $16,990
    Starting Salary: $49,854
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Financial Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/22

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Cost of Degree: $9,612
    Expenses: $15,300
    Starting Salary: $45,239
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Applied Business

    Concentrations

    • Administrative Management
    • Computer Applications
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Health Care Management
    • Human Resources
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Public Management
    • Recreation and Guiding Management
    • Tourism
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: undefined
  3. #4

    Wilmington University

    New Castle , DE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    20K

    Online Degrees

    AS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Central Carolina Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,554
    Starting Salary: $27,886

    Online Degrees

    AS in Accounting & Finance,
    • Required Credits: 68
    • Completion time: 2 Years
    • Format: Online
  5. #9

    St. Petersburg College

    St. Petersburg , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    36K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at St. Petersburg College

    Cost of Degree: $2,682
    Starting Salary: $36,813

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Financial Services
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $4,560
    Starting Salary: $31,497

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Administrative Office Technology

    Concentrations

    • Administrative Management
    • Financial Assistant
    • Legal Administrative
    • Required Credits: 60-61
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  7. #13

    Prairie State College

    Chicago Heights , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Prairie State College

    Cost of Degree: $9,342
    Starting Salary: $33,403

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Associate Of Applied Science

    Concentrations

    • Introduction To Business
    • Business Mathematics
    • Professionalism In The Workplace
    • Human Relations
    • Business Communications
    • Financial Accounting
    • Individual Income Tax
    • Business Ethics
    • Business Law And It’s Legal Environment
    • Principles Of Management
    • Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 62-63
    • Completion time: 1-2 Years
    • Format: Online
  8. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Roane State Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,724
    Starting Salary: $32,701

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Financial Services
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Cleveland State Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,400
    Starting Salary: $32,199

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Required Credits: 60-62
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
  10. #17

    Pitt Community College

    Winterville , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Pitt Community College

    Cost of Degree: $1,940
    Starting Salary: $30,695

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Office Administration

    Concentrations

    • Office Finance
    • Required Credits: 70
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,564
    Starting Salary: $30,795

    Online Degrees

    ACC in Accounting & Finance
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Office Administration

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Rockland Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,120
    Starting Salary: $43,033

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  13. #20

    Nash Community College

    Rocky Mount , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Nash Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,834
    Starting Salary: $28,889

    Online Degrees

    AA in Accounting and Finance
    • Required Credits: 70
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Hinds Community College

    Cost of Degree: $3,750
    Expenses: $8,400
    Starting Salary: $30,996
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Banking & Finance
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #22

    Wayne Community College

    Goldsboro , NC

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Wayne Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,524
    Starting Salary: $30,293

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Accounting And Finance
    • Required Credits: 67
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #23

    Johnston Community College

    Smithfield , NC

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Johnston Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,657
    Starting Salary: $32,099

    Online Degrees

    AA in Accounting And Finance
    • Required Credits: 63-64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Finance degree at Wilson Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,920
    Starting Salary: $26,883

    Online Degrees

    AA in Accounting & Finance
    • Required Credits: 68-69
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Finance Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Finance

Degree Level: Associate's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $5,820
  • Avg. Expenses*: $13,007
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $38,940
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 6 years
  • Job Growth: 5.79%
  • Number of Jobs: 6,097,600
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Chief Executives-8.21%$161,191
Financial Managers15.98%$125,312
General and Operations Managers4.20%$94,699
Financial Risk Specialists8.15%$89,827
Business Teachers, Postsecondary7.01%$86,765

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$49,734$80,742$134,183

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 New York5% higher than average$116,857
#3 Virginia5% higher than average$93,080
#4 Michigan15% higher than average$79,830
#5 Ohio14% higher than average$80,280
#6 North Carolina11% higher than average$81,347

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Chief Executives$161,191
Financial Managers$125,312
General and Operations Managers$94,699
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Online Finance and Accounting Programs Looking for You

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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