Best Online Bachelor's in Finance
Updated February 22, 2024
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An online bachelor's degree in finance prepares students for careers in the financial industry and for graduate study.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that roles for financial advisors — a popular job for graduates with a bachelor of finance — will grow by 13% from 2022-2032. Financial advisors enjoy lucrative careers, earning a median annual salary of $95,390.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Finance Programs
Best Online Bachelor's in Finance Degree Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $330
Out-of-State | $330
Credits to Graduate: 120
SNHU's online BS in finance degree accepts up to 90 transfer credits from past education. The 120-credit program offers a Certified Financial Planner Board-registered concentration in financial planning as the only degree to do so in New Hampshire.
The curriculum provides a foundation in business fundamentals while sharpening collaboration, entrepreneurial thinking, and communication skills. You can take classes like fundamentals of investments, investment portfolio analysis, and corporate finance. The program culminates with a capstone course that explores real-world financial case studies.
#2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $236
Out-of-State | $649
Credits to Graduate: 120
FIU's online bachelor of business administration in finance from the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business can prepare you for careers in corporate finance, banking, investing, and general business. The program offers three start dates each year and pairs you with a success coach to keep you on track toward your degree.
You can explore topics like financial engineering, portfolio management, banking, and international finance. Major courses include commercial bank management, securities analysis, intermediate finance, and financial markets and institutions.
#3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Killeen, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $260
Out-of-State | $668
Credits to Graduate: 120
A&M Central Texas' online BBA in finance degree focuses on financial planning and financial management. After graduation, you may qualify for jobs in commercial banking, financial planning, investment banking and management, and corporate finance.
While pursuing your degree, you can earn micro-credentials in areas like cybersecurity, supply chain management, and financial management. The curriculum includes major courses like international financial management, business ethics and corporate responsibility, fintech, and investments. You must complete a business capstone assessment to graduate.
#4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $419
Out-of-State | $545
Credits to Graduate: 120
TESU's online BSBA degree in finance from the School of Business and Management can prepare you to start or advance in a finance or banking career. The program emphasizes investments, organizational financial management, and financial markets and institutions.
Required major classes include small business finance, security analysis and portfolio management, fundraising for nonprofits, and risk management. To graduate, you must complete a strategic management capstone course, and the program strongly suggests including a business ethics class.
#5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
National University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $370
Out-of-State | $370
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter units
NU's online bachelor of science in financial management program covers corporate finance, financial management business skills, financial decision-making, and ethical and legal issues in financial management. Coursework provides methods of maximizing profits, with students receiving hands-on data analysis training.
Finance requirements include working capital management, analysis of financial statements, valuation of a corporation, and capital structure and financing. You must complete a financial project capstone at the end of the program. The financial management BS program offers year-round admission and four-week courses.
#6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $626
Out-of-State | $626
Credits to Graduate: 120
Penn State World Campus's online BS in finance degree, offered in partnership with Penn State Behrend, can help you prepare for the certified financial planner or chartered financial analyst exams. The program is part of the CFA® Institute University Affiliation Program.
The curriculum explores investment and portfolio management, personal finance, and capital management. You can participate in extracurricular activities like the investment research challenge team, the financial planning club, or the finance speakers series. Graduates can apply for jobs in corporate finance, banking, and personal financial planning.
#7 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $219
Out-of-State | $648
Credits to Graduate: 120
UWF's online finance BSBA degree can provide you with hands-on experience managing an investment portfolio. The program features small class sizes, one-on-one attention from instructors, and 15-week courses. Potential careers for graduates include financial analyst, financial manager, and personal financial advisor.
The finance specialization requires classes like security analysis and portfolio management, financial theory and practice, financial statement analysis, and investments. The program can prepare you to take the chartered financial analyst or the certified financial planner exams.
Out-of-state online learners can qualify for waivers to reduce their overall tuition costs.
#8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB; Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495
Credits to Graduate: 122
JWU's bachelor of science in finance degree can prepare you to pursue a career as a financial analyst or advisor. The fully online program includes experiential learning opportunities and instructors with years of experience in the financial field. You can choose from four start dates each year.
The curriculum covers financial institutions, financial management, and capital management. Classes include HR management, business analytics, financial markets and institutions, and organizational dynamics. You can develop business skills in communication, management, decision-making, and leadership.
#9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $188
Out-of-State | $560
Credits to Graduate: 120
FHSU's online bachelor of business administration degree with a major in finance from the Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting covers corporate finance, entrepreneurial finance, and financial planning. You can participate in extracurricular activities like FHSU's finance club or the financial planning national championship.
The finance curriculum requires major classes like money and banking, fundamentals of investments, financial markets and institutions, and intermediate finance. You also take business core courses that explore topics like accounting, strategic business communication, and business law.
#10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Finance
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: AACSB
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $432
Out-of-State | $950
Credits to Graduate: 120
OSU's online BSBA in finance program from the Spears School of Business can prepare you to pursue careers in investment banking, portfolio and wealth management, and commercial banking. The program focuses on financial analysis and can help you develop decision-making and financial management skills.
The BSBA in finance curriculum includes major classes like advanced accounting tools and technologies, money and banking, financial management, and investments. Students also explore general business topics like strategic management, data analytics, entrepreneurship, and macroeconomic principles.
Online Bachelor's in Finance Degrees Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Our Methodology
Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.
Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.
While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.
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Academics -
Affordability -
Online Enrollment
Data Sources
The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.
Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.
Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.
Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.
We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.
Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%
In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.
If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.
We thank you for your readership and trust.
Choosing an Online Bachelor of Finance Degree Program
When researching the best finance schools, students should consider several factors, such as cost, transfer policies, and on-campus requirements. We cover several important program considerations for prospective bachelor of finance students below.
Program Cost
Students can typically save money by attending a public institution rather than a private institution. Additionally, some online programs offer tuition discounts to in-state students, while others charge all distance students the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.
Transfer Policies
Transfer policies vary by school. Students who already hold some college credits should look for schools with generous transfer policies to ensure they can receive credit for prior academic work. Some schools also offer transfer credit for professional, military, and volunteer experience.
School Size and Type
Some students prefer to attend larger schools, which typically provide more diverse course offerings and programs than small schools. Alternatively, some learners prefer the more individualized attention often found at smaller schools.
Program Length
A bachelor of finance program typically takes four years of full-time study to complete, but some programs offer accelerated timelines that may allow students to graduate in less time.
On-campus Requirements
Some online programs may offer or require on-campus requirements. Students should ensure they can meet all of a program's requirements before committing to a school.
Thesis, Fellowship, and Work Requirements
Students planning to pursue graduate school benefit from attending a program with a thesis requirement, while students planning to work immediately after graduation may benefit more from a program with a fellowship or internship requirement.
Accreditation for Online Finance Degrees
Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards with respect to faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Attending an accredited school expands a student's employment, education, and financial aid opportunities. Schools may hold national or regional accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education oversee six independent regional accrediting bodies that accredit schools based on where a school is located.
Certain programs within a school may also receive specialized accreditation. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in finance should look for programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Finance?
An online bachelor's degree in finance typically takes four years of full-time study to earn. However, some programs offer accelerated timelines, allowing students to expedite graduation. Additionally, students seeking to balance their studies with work and family obligations may prefer to study part time, which extends the length of a program.
Online Finance Degree Curriculum
Courses vary by program, but online bachelor's degree in finance programs typically cover topics like investments, bank management, and financial statements. We cover several common courses for bachelor of finance students below.
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Investments
Investment courses cover common investment terminology and models. Topics include trade mechanics, security markets organization, security classification, financial intermediation, and the application of general asset principles. Students learn how to apply financial principles to various types of investments, including real estate, variable-returns, futures, and brokerage operations. -
Bank Management
This class covers basic bank management topics, like loan type classifications, asset-liability management, domestic and international banking laws, and the role of the Federal Reserve system. These courses often incorporate guest lectures from banking professionals that allow students to ask questions about standard bank management offerings and operations. -
Introduction to Financial Management
This introductory course covers basic financial management principles and how to use them to stabilize and increase company valuations. The course examines principles of accounting, economics, and statistical methods to help students understand concepts such as cash flow, risk analysis, capital budgeting, and capital management. -
Applications for Managerial Finance
With a focus on corporate financial principles, this class examines how to maximize company value. Learners study topics like corporate finance theories, value-based capital management, payout policies, capital structure, and ongoing trends and challenges in managerial finance.
Finance Jobs
Graduates of top finance schools can pursue many positions in corporate and personal finance, such as financial advisor, budget analyst, and financial analyst. We cover several common jobs for graduates below.
Financial Advisor
Financial advisors provide professional money management advice to clients. They meet with clients to assess financial goals and help clients make informed decisions about their finances. Financial advisors may offer information and recommendations on topics such as estate planning, taxes, retirement savings, and investments. They also regularly monitor clients' financial accounts and make adjustments as needed.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts help individuals and businesses make important investment decisions. They assess financial records, create investment portfolios aligned with clients' goals, and monitor the economy to predict investment performance. These professionals typically form long-term relationships with clients, working with them to meet investment goals and advising them on proper risk management. They frequently provide written reports on investment activities and recommend changes as needed.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts work with corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and other types of organizations to assist with budget management. They often work with other finance professionals to develop comprehensive budgets and review proposed departmental budgets to ensure they meet regulations and compliance standards. These professionals also ensure a budget is followed throughout the calendar year, make recommendations for adjustments, and use various budgeting tools and methodologies to project spending needs and goals.
Top Executive
Chief financial officers (CFOs) are top company executives that manage other financial professionals, develop organizational policies, and set strategic company goals around income and losses. They may negotiate with vendors, contractors, and other providers to lower spending while liaising with sales and marketing staff to set goals for increased earnings. CFOs often need to make high-level decisions in the face of budgetary constraints, including cutting costs associated with staffing when necessary.
Common Questions About Bachelor's in Finance Degrees
What can you do with a major in finance?
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in finance can work in roles such as financial planner, financial analyst, and actuary.
What is the best degree in finance?
The best bachelor's degree in finance is one that aligns with a student's academic abilities, career aspirations, and financial needs.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in finance?
Full-time students can typically earn an online bachelor's degree in finance in four years.
Is a degree in finance a BS or a BA?
Typically, schools offer a bachelor of business administration in finance or a BS in finance.
What types of finance degrees exist?
Aside from generalist finance studies, some programs offer concentrations in areas such as financial accounting, risk management, and corporate finance.
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