Best Online Master’s in Finance

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN FINANCE
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online master’s in finance degree programs to help students advance to leadership roles or pursue careers like compliance officers, accountants, investment bankers, actuaries, and stockbrokers.

Top 10 Online Master's in Finance Degrees

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  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Southern California
  3. Boston University
  4. University of Miami
  5. University of Missouri
  6. Fordham University
  7. University of Cincinnati
  8. University of Kentucky
  9. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  10. Auburn University
  1. Liberty University 99%
  2. West Texas A&M University 97%
  3. University of Kentucky 94%
  4. University of Detroit Mercy 93%
  5. Southern New Hampshire University 92%
  6. University of Massachusetts Lowell 85%
  7. University of Cincinnati 85%
  8. Rowan University 84%
  9. University of Nebraska–Lincoln 81%
  10. Youngstown State University 78%
  1. Purdue Global 28 to 1
  2. Southern New Hampshire University 21 to 1
  3. Auburn University 20 to 1
  4. University of Cincinnati 19 to 1
  5. University of Massachusetts Lowell 19 to 1
  6. University of Missouri 18 to 1
  7. Youngstown State University 18 to 1
  8. Empire State University 18 to 1
  9. Rowan University 17 to 1
  10. Liberty University 17 to 1
  1. University of Southern California $61,503
  2. Boston University $59,816
  3. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  4. Stevens Institute of Technology $56,920
  5. Fordham University $56,161
  6. University of Miami $54,760
  7. Creighton University $44,524
  8. North Central College $42,206
  9. University of Detroit Mercy $30,154
  10. Liberty University $22,713
  1. University of Southern California $60,446
  2. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  3. Boston University $58,560
  4. University of Miami $39,834
  5. Stevens Institute of Technology $38,076
  6. Fordham University $23,112
  7. University of Detroit Mercy $21,276
  8. Golden Gate University $19,620
  9. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  10. Creighton University $17,190
  1. Walsh College
  2. Empire State University
  3. Bellevue University
  4. West Texas A&M University
  5. Purdue Global
  6. North Central College
  7. Southern New Hampshire University
  8. Youngstown State University
  9. Golden Gate University
  10. University of Massachusetts Lowell
  1. Johns Hopkins University 8%
  2. University of Southern California 13%
  3. Boston University 19%
  4. University of Miami 28%
  5. Stevens Institute of Technology 53%
  6. Fordham University 58%
  7. North Central College 68%
  8. Auburn University 71%
  9. University of Missouri 77%
  10. Creighton University 78%
  1. Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
  2. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  3. Boston University 10 to 1
  4. University of Detroit Mercy 11 to 1
  5. Walsh College 11 to 1
  6. Golden Gate University 12 to 1
  7. University of Miami 12 to 1
  8. Creighton University 12 to 1
  9. Stevens Institute of Technology 12 to 1
  10. Fordham University 13 to 1
  1. West Texas A&M University $6,211
  2. Empire State University $7,070
  3. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770
  4. Bellevue University $8,310
  5. Youngstown State University $9,196
  6. University of Missouri $10,017
  7. Auburn University $10,080
  8. Purdue Global $10,080
  9. University of Cincinnati $10,099
  10. Rowan University $10,302
  1. West Texas A&M University $5,086
  2. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
  3. Youngstown State University $6,453
  4. Liberty University $7,847
  5. Purdue Global $8,730
  6. University of Missouri $9,950
  7. Auburn University $10,080
  8. Bellevue University $10,980
  9. Empire State University $11,310
  10. University of Kentucky $12,311

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Finance Degrees

A master’s degree in finance can help working professionals not only advance in their careers, but it can also ensure those in the industry are staying current with industry practices and standards.

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This 30- to 40-credit degree can typically be completed in two to three years either online or in person.

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Additionally, students often have the option to choose from a concentration, like wealth management, investment banking, international finance, and public sector finance. Although courses may vary depending on a chosen program and concentration, courses will cover topics like negotiations, risk management, business ethics, and portfolio management.

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With a master’s in finance, graduates can advance to leadership roles or pursue careers like compliance officers, accountants, investment bankers, actuaries, and stockbrokers.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in finance.

Best Online Master's in Finance Degree Programs

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Accountants and Auditors in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
70050Property Appraisers and Assessors
83980Accountants and Auditors
84240Budget Analysts
88030Credit Analysts
103020Financial and Investment Analysts

25 Best Online Master’s in Finance Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles , CA
    #13 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #16 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #18 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in California 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Online Degrees

    MS in Financial Compliance
    • Required Credits: 19
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Financial Engineering
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  2. #2

    Boston University

    Boston , MA
    #19 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #21 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #3 Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #3 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    32K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1405/32

    Online Degrees

    MS in Financial Management
    • Required Credits: 40
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    #10 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #11 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #11 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2023 #14 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Economics And Certificate In Financial Management
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  4. #4

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    #11 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Ohio 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/26

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance

    Concentrations

    • Corporate Finance
    • Investments
    • Risk Management
    • Real Estate
    • Required Credits: 30-38
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  7. #6

    University of Missouri

    Columbia , MO
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2023 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/26

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 1 year
    • Format: Online
    MS in Personal Financial Planning
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 1-2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Fordham University

    Bronx , NY
    #2 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #8 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #18 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in New York 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/29

    Online Degrees

    MS in Global Finance
    • Required Credits: 36-40
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MSRE in Real Estate

    Concentrations

    • Real Estate Finance
    • Required Credits: 6
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  9. #8

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    #14 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #1 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    Online Degrees

    MS in Public Financial Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  11. #10

    University of Nebraska–Lincoln

    Lincoln , NE
    #1 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2023 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/25

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Family Financial Planning
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
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  15. #13

    Golden Gate University

    San Francisco , CA
    #6 Best Small Colleges in California 2023 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2023 #2 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs #2 Best Online Master's in Organizational Psychology
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Student body

    2K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance

    Concentrations

    • Corporate Finance
    • General Finance
    • Investment Management
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Accounting

    Concentrations

    • Financial Accounting and Report
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Financial Planning
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Advanced Financial Planning

    Concentrations

    • Estate Planning
    • Financial Life Planning
    • Taxation
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Required Credits: 54
    • Completion time: 3-4 years
    • Format: Online
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  16. #14

    University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Lowell , MA
    #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2023 #3 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #2 Best Online Associate in Information Technology #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/26

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Business Analytics

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • Managerial Decision Making
    • Big Data Analytics
    • Marketing Analytics
    • Finance Analytics
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  17. #15

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester , NH
    #5 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    102K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance

    Concentrations

    • Corporate Finance
    • Investments
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Accounting Finance
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • Business Intelligence
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Human Resources
    • International Business
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Operations And Supply Chain Management
    • Project Management
    • Public Administration
    • Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  21. #18

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    #4 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #8 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2023 #13 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #2 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    79K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/25

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 1-2 year
    • Format: Online
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  23. #20

    North Central College

    Naperville , IL
    #5 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023 #8 Best Small Colleges in Illinois 2023 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois 2023 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/24

    Online Degrees

    MFM in Financial Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 1 year
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  26. #22

    Purdue Global

    West Lafayette , IN
    #10 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2023 #12 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2023 #5 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    49K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance

    Concentrations

    • Financial Analysis
    • Financial Planning
    • Required Credits: 56
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Health care Management
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Required Credits: 60-76
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  28. #24

    Bellevue University

    Bellevue , NE
    #7 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2023 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    9K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Strategic Finance
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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  29. #25

    Walsh College

    Troy , MI
    #8 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs #17 Best Online Colleges in Michigan 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Student body

    1K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Finance
    • Information Technology Leadership
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 18 months
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build 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 is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And 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 or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new 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 institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. 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 which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students 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.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, 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. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

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 resume 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.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will 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 require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, 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 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 Prospective Grad 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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