A bachelor's in finance is a four-year undergraduate business degree that covers subjects such as accounting, economics, management, and financial record-keeping. Some schools may offer finance as a major, while others feature this subject as a concentration within business degrees.
A 2023 survey from the CFA Institute revealed that, among professionals aged 18-25, finance is the most appealing business sector to work in, primarily for its stability and abundance of job opportunities. With strong salaries and a positive job outlook, starting with a bachelor's program in finance can set you on an ideal path to various financial professions.
Online undergraduate degrees in finance can offer more flexibility in scheduling classes and completing assignments. With distance learning, you can attend faraway schools that would otherwise require you to relocate.
Explore a list of the top online finance degrees below. This helpful guide covers information such as accreditation, tuition costs, common coursework, and program delivery methods.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Finance Programs Online
We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
The University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB International
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $219
Out-of-State | $342
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
UWF's BSBA in finance provides theoretical frameworks and career-focused data to help prepare graduates for roles like financial analyst or planner. In addition to 60 credits of general education, the degree requires a 30-credit business core and 30 credits of finance coursework.
These finance classes include investments, problems in corporate finance, and financial statement analysis. Each course lasts 15 weeks. Prospective students submit transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a $30 application fee. The entire program takes 24-48 months.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,735
Out-of-state
$16,004
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,088
Out-of-state
$22,166
Retention Rate
84%
Acceptance Rate
53%
Students Enrolled
13,288
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
88%
Accreditation
Yes
#2 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB International
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $236
Out-of-State | $649
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
Offered through the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business, FIU's BBA in finance covers banking, investments, portfolio management, risk, and international finance. Courses include securities analysis, intermediate finance, and commercial bank management.
For admission to the university, prospective learners send an application; a $30 fee; high school transcripts; and SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. The finance BBA maintains a separate set of admission requirements, including an associate degree or 60 credits in general education with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,721
Out-of-state
$16,529
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,912
Out-of-state
$21,393
Retention Rate
90%
Acceptance Rate
64%
Students Enrolled
56,664
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Accreditation
Yes
#3 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
University of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $442
Out-of-State | $442
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
UMN Crookston's online BS in finance helps prepare graduates for careers like actuary, investment banker, financial analyst, and personal finance planner. The curriculum requires a 40-credit finance core and a 19-credit business core. Courses include corporate finance, estate planning, and business ethics.
Applicants submit transcripts or GED certificates. Online learners can qualify for federal financial aid. Transfer students must complete at least 30 credits of the degree at UMN Crookston.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$10,822
Out-of-state
$10,822
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
70%
Acceptance Rate
48%
Students Enrolled
2,304
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Accreditation
Yes
#4 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $380-$410
Out-of-State | $380-$410
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
Infused with Christian ethics and built around a hands-on approach to learning, LETU's bachelor of business administration in finance can prepare graduates for careers in wealth management, corporate finance, and financial risk analysis. Learners complete 42 credits of business coursework in topics like micro- and macroeconomics, information systems, and organizational behavior.
The degree also requires a 12-credit finance core. These classes include investments, risk management and insurance, and financial statement analysis. Online learners can enroll with six annual start dates. Applicants send transcripts demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA. ACT, SAT, or CLT scores are optional.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$32,690
Out-of-state
$32,690
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$16,875
Out-of-state
$16,875
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
54%
Students Enrolled
3,209
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
Accreditation
Yes
#5 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB International and Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
JWU's bachelor of science in finance provides students with career-focused knowledge in economics, financial management, capital management, and financial institutions. Courses include financial accounting, financial markets and institutions, and investments. Students also complete an internship or experiential education course.
Most classes last eight weeks, though some courses run in a 16-week format. JWU enrolls new students at four annual start dates. Applications only require prospective students to send official transcripts. The school does not charge an application fee.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$13,365
Out-of-state
$13,365
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$14,706
Out-of-state
$14,706
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
45%
Students Enrolled
2,349
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
#6 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: N/A
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $397
Out-of-State | $397
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
MVNU's BBA in finance prepares moral, ethical leaders for the financial world. This leadership-driven degree includes 40 credits of business coursework, including classes about marketing, ethics and law, and statistics in business contexts.
The program also requires a 15-credit core of finance coursework, including classes such as investments, financial markets and institutions, risk and insurance, and personal financial planning. Applicants send transcripts and evidence of nontraditional prior learning for credit evaluation. The school does not charge an application fee.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$23,483
Out-of-state
$23,483
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$10,674
Out-of-state
$10,674
Retention Rate
78%
Acceptance Rate
87%
Students Enrolled
2,064
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
55%
Accreditation
Yes
#7 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB International
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $375
Out-of-State | $375
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
Oregon State University's BA or BS in finance helps students become finance leaders who can recognize viable entrepreneurial ventures, assess corporate risk, and understand global financial environments. Courses explore topics such as investments, money and banking, and business information systems. Enrollees can pursue a financial planning concentration to specialize their degree.
The school offers four annual start dates. Attendees can pursue accelerated MS and MBA business programs, taking graduate-level courses while finishing their finance bachelor's degree. Online students can also pursue an honors degree version of the program, which allows them to collaborate with faculty on research and complete a thesis.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$10,065
Out-of-state
$29,456
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$13,446
Out-of-state
$27,297
Retention Rate
87%
Acceptance Rate
89%
Students Enrolled
33,193
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
52%
Accreditation
Yes
#8 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB International
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $432
Out-of-State | $950
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
Offered through the Spears School of Business, OK State's BSBA in finance equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for managing finances in personal, corporate, and banking environments. Courses include money and banking, advanced accounting tools and technologies, and financial management.
Learners enter the program as pre-finance majors until they complete prerequisite courses and maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA. Though OK State does not require standardized test scores, applicants can receive assured admission by satisfying a combination of minimum GPA, test scores, and class rank. Multiple institutional scholarships also require ACT/SAT scores.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,417
Out-of-state
$20,937
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$5,611
Out-of-state
$21,114
Retention Rate
83%
Acceptance Rate
68%
Students Enrolled
24,577
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
52%
Accreditation
Yes
#9 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB International
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $362
Out-of-State | $362
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
UTPB's BBA in finance requires a 24-credit business core with classes like principles of finance, production operations management, and information systems fundamentals. The program also includes 21 credits of finance coursework covering topics such as principles of investments, international finance, and accounting for business decision-makers. Students complete a strategic management capstone.
First-year applicants submit a high school transcript or GED certificate. Transfer students with 24 or more college credits also send transcripts from prior institutions. ACT or SAT scores are optional. The finance BBA program offers nine application deadlines per year.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,577
Out-of-state
$18,817
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$4,948
Out-of-state
$12,292
Retention Rate
67%
Acceptance Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
5,534
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Accreditation
Yes
#10 Best Online Finance Degrees 2024
Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $499
Out-of-State | $499
Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits
Ottawa University's bachelor of science in finance equips learners with analytical skills and theoretical knowledge they can apply to real-world situations in banking or corporate finance. Courses include finance and investing activities, behavioral finance, futures and options, and crypto assets.
The curriculum concludes with a capstone about applied finance. Alongside the online application, prospective learners submit transcripts and a $50 application fee.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$11,976
Out-of-state
$11,976
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,253
Out-of-state
$11,253
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
218
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Read our ranking methodology
What to Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Finance Program
On-campus and online programs provide the same level of rigor, so long as they are accredited. If a prestigious school features a distance education program, an online degree would carry the same regard as an on-campus program. Often, distance education programs don't mention the online modality on the diploma itself.
Students typically must complete 120 total credits covering courses like corporate finance, business decision-making, and data analysis, regardless of delivery method, though schedules may differ.
Learn more about the best on-campus finance degrees
How Does an Online Finance Degree Differ From an On-Campus Bachelor's?
Though online and in-person learning typically share similar coursework and instructors, their interactions differ based on delivery method. In an on-campus program, learners attend classes on a set schedule several times per week, interacting directly with their professors and classmates.
In math-focused finance coursework, students can receive immediate feedback from instructors. Online finance programs provide opportunities for communication as well, though they may be indirect. Entrepreneurial finance students may also prefer in-person learning to bounce business ideas off of classmates and discuss business opportunities.
On-campus programs may also make it easier to complete internships and other real-world learning experiences. As a subset of business, many finance students benefit from experiential learning in accounting firms and other organizations. Online students can still pursue these opportunities, but may need to relocate or find their own placements.
| Factor | Online Program | On-Campus Program |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Cost | $6,500-$33,000 | $15,000-$60,000 |
| Course Load | 12-18 credits per semester (full time); 120 credits total | 12-18 credits per semester (full time); 120 credits total |
| Program Length | 3-4 years, based on transfer credits and standard/accelerated scheduling | 3-4 years, based on transfer credits and standard/accelerated scheduling |
| Schedule | Typically flexible, more likely to offer evening courses; asynchronous learning offers full freedom to complete assignments on your schedule | Rigid, set class schedule requiring regular in-person attendance |
With opportunities for flat-rate tuition and more flexible scheduling, online finance programs can offer a few distinct benefits over traditional degrees. However, every student's learning preferences vary, making the online vs. on-campus decision specific to each learner. Some enrollees may not prefer the flexibility of asynchronous learning, for example.
Delivery Formats for Online Finance Degrees
Online finance degrees may operate through several methods. These may occur in hybrid delivery, which blends in-person and online learning, along with any experiential learning requirements. Some online bachelor's degrees in finance use hybrid delivery, but 100% online appears to be a more common option. Make sure to research any in-person requirements.
Distance learning, whether in a hybrid or fully online environment, occurs through synchronous and/or asynchronous delivery. Synchronous learning applies set class times for students to log on and view live lectures, mirroring the in-person learning experience.
Asynchronous delivery uses recorded lectures and requires enrollees to complete assignments on their own schedules with set deadlines.
The ideal delivery method suits your schedule and learning style. Finance degrees use both modalities, giving you the freedom to select a school that aligns with your preferences.
For example, some online finance programs require group projects, but do not have required attendance. Learners who benefit from direct interactions with peers but still want to study online can prioritize synchronous programs.
Outside of classroom learning, even 100% online programs may have in-person requirements, such as internships. Before committing to any program, make sure to check that you can arrange for these requirements locally, or travel to any locations as necessary.
Accreditation for Online Finance Degrees
Accreditation is a process through which third-party organizations assess institutions of higher education, along with their programs, to ensure that they meet high academic standards. Institutional accreditation applies to entire colleges and universities. In this process, accreditors evaluate aspects such as faculty, student outcomes, curricular offerings, and available resources.
You can attend an accredited school and know that it will deliver a high-quality education. Attending an accredited school also enables you to receive federal financial aid, transfer credits to other accredited institutions, and qualify for some certifications. For example, to become a certified financial planner (CFP), you must graduate from an accredited school.
Online schools and in-person colleges receive accreditation from the same organizations. As you research online colleges, you should focus only on accredited schools.
Programmatic accreditation refers to departments and programs within colleges and universities. This specialized form of accreditation focuses on specific majors to signal that the program provides strong resources and preparation for the workforce.
In the business space, there are three primary accreditors: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Graduating with an online finance degree accredited by the ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB signals to prospective employers that you have received a top-level business education.
How Much Will an Online Finance Bachelor's Cost?
A key element of pursuing higher education is figuring out your finances. Even the most affordable online finance degrees require you to plan for expenses beyond tuition.
Costs for these programs can differ significantly. For example, some schools charge higher per-credit rates if you live out of state. Some schools consider state residency for online rates, and others don't. In general, a private institution will have higher tuition than a public school
Annual tuition alone can range from around $6,000 to nearly $40,000, making your research crucial. Two schools may deliver similarly high-quality degrees, but due to their private vs. public status or your location, you may end up paying way more than necessary.
With in-person college, you need to factor in room and board (or transportation) and relocation costs. Online learning removes these additional considerations, though hybrid learning may still require you to commute to campus.
Even still, distance education can include additional tech fees not present in on-campus learning, like access to digital textbooks. And if your home internet is not reliable, you may need to commute to a place with an internet connection.
Fortunately, there are several forms of financial assistance that allow you to focus on your studies, rather than how to afford your degree. Most learners complete a FAFSA form, which details their eligibility for various forms of aid, including grants and federal loans.
Grants and scholarships do not require repayment, so make sure to start with them before researching loans. Whether from independent lenders or the federal government, loans carry interest and require repayment — though they typically defer payments until after graduation or an otherwise stated period.
Check out our financial aid guide
Learn more about scholarships
Why Get Your Bachelor's in Finance Online?
Earning an online finance degree can deliver the same top-level education as an on-campus program while offering several benefits, such as scheduling freedom. Though online degrees each have different schedules, there are several ways that distance learning can fit into your busy life.
For example, you can complete assignments and view recorded lectures at your leisure with asynchronous delivery. If you plan to maintain full-time employment while pursuing an education, this benefit gives online learning a significant leg up over the on-campus experience.
With many professions also shifting to the virtual space, learning online also prepares you for the modern workplace. Collaboration and communication are two crucial skills for nearly every profession. With so much professional correspondence now taking place through email and video conferencing, distance education can uniquely prepare you for these environments.
The modern finance world includes many technical elements, like data analysis and financial management tools. Considering that your professional work will require tech savviness to handle large data sets, you can become comfortable with finance software and hardware before graduating from online school.
Pros
-
Flexibility: With an online finance degree, you can spend less time commuting and more time focused on your studies or personal interests. Furthermore, if the online program uses asynchronous delivery, you can complete assignments entirely on your own schedule. -
Affordability: Though some online programs carry high costs, many feature flat-rate tuition, allowing all learners to pay the same per-credit tuition regardless of their location. This affordability extends the availability of programs that may have otherwise been out of reach due to distance or cost. -
Self-Reliance: Online learning requires time management and organization to stay on top of coursework. Without constant oversight, you can develop key life skills to become more independent and efficient.
Cons
-
Less Structure: Some students prefer set schedules. Though synchronous courses use live lectures akin to on-campus learning, asynchronous delivery requires you to manage your own time and responsibilities. -
Not the Traditional College Experience: Online college does not offer the same personal experience as in-person learning. In a campus environment, it is easier to become involved in extracurricular activities like athletics and socializing. -
Fewer Face-to-Face Interactions: Though online degrees typically provide many opportunities to interact directly with peers and instructors, some learners benefit from seeing each other in person.
Questions About Online Finance Degrees
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in finance online?
Earning an online finance degree at the bachelor's level typically takes four years. Some programs may use accelerated schedules to deliver degrees in just three years, and transfer-friendly programs accept credits from past education to shorten your timeline.
How much is an online degree in finance?
Tuition costs vary widely among online finance degrees, based on factors such as prestige, public vs. private status, and residency. For example, a year of tuition can cost $6,000-$35,000 or more.
Are online finance degrees worth it?
Online finance degrees can be a worthwhile venture for people looking to work in finance, accounting, and business. As long as an online finance degree has accreditation, it holds the same level of credibility as an on-campus program.
Is finance hard?
Many consider finance to be a challenging major, but for analytically minded students with strong math skills, it can offer an ideal pathway to various professional roles in accounting, auditing, and investments.
The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accounting.com. Page last reviewed Feb. 22, 2024.
