Online Master’s in Finance Programs 2021
A master's degree in finance can lead to new and exciting career opportunities. Here, we list the top online programs.

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Online master's in finance programs prepare students for many in-demand, lucrative roles, including financial manager. Companies and organizations of all sizes hire financial managers to prepare financial statements, make recommendations to senior management, and supervise employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that these professionals earn a median annual salary of $134,180. The BLS also projects jobs for financial managers to grow 15% from 2019-2029.
Employers often prefer to hire financial managers with professional experience and a master's degree. In addition to financial manager roles, graduates with a master's in finance can pursue related finance jobs, such as accountant, budget analyst, and cost estimator.
This guide ranks the best online master's in finance programs. It also covers other important information for prospective students, such as common courses and scholarship opportunities for graduates.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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What's the ROI of a Master's in Finance?
Graduates with a master's in finance degree can pursue lucrative, in-demand roles in diverse industries, making the degree a worthwhile investment for many students.
Master's in finance degree programs are challenging, but learners with strong analytical and communication skills typically do well in these programs.
Potential careers for graduates with a master's in finance include personal financial advisor, budget analyst, financial manager, and training and development specialist.
Finance experts typically focus on planning and directing financial transactions for individuals and companies, while accountants focus more on recording and reporting transactions.
Why Get a Degree in Finance?
A master's degree in finance leads to lucrative, in-demand careers. Students gain advanced knowledge and skills that prepare them for roles like financial manager, accountant, and budget analyst.
Earning a master's in finance degree online can often save students money. For example, online students save on some of the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as housing and commuting costs. Online learning also gives students the flexibility to balance their studies with professional and personal obligations.
How Much Does a Finance Degree Cost?
The cost of an online master's in finance varies by factors like school, location, and delivery format. For instance, public universities typically cost less than private universities. Additionally, in-state students at public schools often pay lower tuition rates than out-of-state students.
Attending a master's in finance program online can potentially save students money. For example, many schools offer in-state tuition rates to all online students regardless of where they live. Plus, online students often save on many of the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as commuting costs. The online learning format also allows many students to continue working while they earn their degree.
How Much Do Finance Majors Make?
According to the BLS, business and financial professionals earn a median annual salary of $72,250. However, salaries vary significantly by factors like role, industry, and location. For example, personal financial advisors make a median annual salary of around $90,000. However, personal financial advisors in New York earn an average of $170,000 annually.
Additionally, personal financial advisors working in securities, real estate, and legal services earn approximately $20,000 more than their peers specializing in enterprise and company management.
Graduates with a master's in finance can demonstrate specialized expertise and increase their salary potential by earning relevant certifications.
Courses in Finance
Master's in finance programs train students to analyze financial information, recognize and respond to risks, and follow relevant laws and regulations. Some programs feature concentrations that allow students to specialize in a particular finance area. Common concentrations include financial analysis, economics, and financial planning.
Courses vary by program, but the following list outlines classes commonly found in online master's in finance programs.
This class introduces students to credit markets and how they affect relationships among companies. Students also learn about the Federal Reserve System's role in maintaining a healthy economy. Some online finance degree programs require students to complete a course in corporate financial management before taking this class.Money and Capital Markets
Risk management involves preparing a company or organization for economic downturns and other negative events. Students in this course learn how to analyze potential investments, diversify portfolios, and use industry-leading software to analyze trends. Degree-seekers explore these topics by reviewing case studies and performing simulations.Risk Management
Students may complete a graduate finance capstone in their program's final semester. The capstone often requires students to apply new knowledge and skills through an independent research project. The final product may involve an essay and/or a presentation.Graduate Finance Capstone
Certifications and Licensure for Finance
Finance certifications demonstrate mastery of one or more topics and help job-seekers stand out from other applicants. Typical eligibility requirements include a finance degree and relevant experience. Most certifications also require continuing education for renewal purposes.
Scholarships for Finance
Finance students can pursue financial aid opportunities to help lower the cost of their degree, such as loans, scholarships, and grants. Unlike loans, scholarships do not require repayment, making them ideal forms of financial aid. The following list outlines several scholarship opportunities for online master's in finance students.
Scholarship | Amount | Who Can Apply |
---|---|---|
Maryland Association of CPAs Educational Foundation Scholarship |
Varies | Undergraduate and graduate students in Maryland preparing to take the Uniform CPA Examination qualify for this opportunity. Applicants must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. |
National Aircraft Finance Association Scholarships |
$1,000-$5,000 | Undergraduate and graduate finance students pursuing careers in corporate aviation qualify for this opportunity. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA. |
PCPS George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship and Internship |
Up to $10,000 | Minority graduate students can apply for this competitive scholarship. Applicants must be studying full time. The scholarship does not renew. |
Best Online Master's in Finance
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Texas A & M University-CommerceLocation
Commerce, TX
Tuition$11796
Graduation Rate40%
Founded in 1889, Texas A & M University-Commerce offers more than 100 programs.
The school's online MS in finance teaches students how to use theoretical knowledge to address real-world problems. The 30-credit program offers fully online and hybrid learning formats. Non-business majors must complete prerequisite coursework in addition to the curriculum.
The curriculum's core develops competencies in areas such as financial management, financial modelling with Excel, and international business finance. Students can optionally add a minor to the degree in areas such as business analytics and cybersecurity.
The program prepares enrollees to earn certifications valued by employers in the finance sectors. Admission to the master's in finance requires a bachelor's degree and school transcripts.
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West Texas A & M UniversityLocation
Canyon, TX
Tuition$13325
Graduation Rate44%
West Texas A & M University offers 38 master's programs. Students can complete the MS in finance and economics (MSFE) entirely online or in hybrid format. The curriculum requires 36-45 credits depending on students' educational background.
The MSFE curriculum includes 21 core credits on topics like monetary and fiscal policy and corporate governance. Students can use nine elective credits to take courses in finance and economics. An additional six elective credits allow students to pursue training in related areas, such as accounting, and computer information and decision management.
The program develops advanced quantitative and statistical skills for business problem-solving. Learners culminate the finance master's degree with a comprehensive exam. Admission requires a bachelor's in business or a related field and GMAT scores.
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Colorado State University-Global CampusLocation
Aurora, CO
Graduation Rate70%
Colorado State University's Global Campus offers an online master's in finance that builds on students' theoretical financial knowledge. The program consists of a required core and customization opportunities.
The 36-credit curriculum explores core topics such as corporate finance, investments, and financial markets and institutions. Participants learn how to assess clients' financial situations, gather data, and implement effective cash-management strategies.
Students can pursue 12-credit specializations in areas such as applied business management, business intelligence, and organizational leadership and change management. Participants culminate the degree with a capstone project. All students pay the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Admission to the master's in finance requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
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Webster UniversityLocation
Saint Louis, MO
Graduation Rate59%
Established in 1915, Webster University is a private college that offers a 36-credit MS in finance entirely online. Students without a business background must complete prerequisite coursework before beginning the curriculum.
The master's in finance program builds competencies in key domains such as managerial accounting, financial modelling, investments, and capital budgeting and corporate investments. Degree-seekers can use six elective credits to explore subjects aligned with their personal and professional interests.
The curriculum requires a capstone course that ties in lessons learned with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. All students pay the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Active-duty military personnel receive a significant tuition discount. Admission requires a degree from an accredited business program.
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University of Houston-Clear LakeLocation
Houston, TX
Tuition$10664
The University of Houston-Clear Lake offers 90 programs administered through four colleges.
The online MS in finance requires 30-36 credits that explore core concepts such as corporate finance, investment management, and financial statement analysis.
Using six elective credits, participants can pursue specialized training in an area such as personal wealth management or real estate investment analysis and financing. Students can also use elective credit to pursue an internship. This master's in finance program also offers a 12-credit healthcare administration concentration, but students must complete this concentration on campus.
Students can complete the program in 18 months by taking two courses per term. Enrollees can save money by taking more courses per term. Admission requires GMAT scores for applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0.
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University of MiamiLocation
Coral Gables, FL
Graduation Rate82%
The University of Miami is a major research college that offers an online MS in finance. The 32-credit curriculum begins with a course that examines finance and financial accounting fundamentals. The rest of the curriculum builds advanced proficiencies in areas such as applied corporate finance and financial decision-making.
A portfolio management and alternative investments course teaches students how to develop a business plan. Learners can optionally attend in-person networking events to meet peers, faculty, and business leaders. Seven-week courses accelerate completion of this finance master's degree. Students can begin earning the master's in finance with a 16-credit certificate in corporate finance or financial decision-making.
Some students may qualify for up to a 27% tuition discount from scholarships. Admission requires a bachelor's degree.
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Georgetown UniversityLocation
Washington, DC
Graduation Rate94%
Located in the nation's capital, Georgetown University offers an online master of science in finance. The program explores theoretical financial concepts and their practical applications in a global economy. Students can enroll on a full- or part-time basis. Students must begin the program with a weeklong on-campus residency.The curriculum requires a six-course core that explores subjects such as financial markets, financial econometrics, and corporate valuation and modeling. A notable course explores the ethical challenges faced by finance leaders. Participants can use elective credits to develop competencies in areas such as big data and financial statement analysis.
During a second weeklong residency, students work on a consulting project that addresses a complex challenge within an international firm. Seven-week courses accelerate completion of this master's in finance. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and GRE or GMAT scores.
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University of Michigan-DearbornLocation
Dearborn, MI
Tuition$10533
Graduation Rate56%
The University of Michigan-Dearborn offers 60 graduate programs. The 30- to 33-credit MS in finance offers a flexible curriculum that students can complete entirely online or in hybrid format. The program offers concentrations in corporate finance and investments.
Students pursuing the corporate finance track explore concepts such as corporate valuation and derivatives and risk management. The investments track explores topics including financial statement analysis and investments and capital markets.
Hybrid learners can use the on-campus Bloomberg Finance Lab to acquire practical trading experience that enhances their marketability. They receive access to real-time market data and can manage an investment fund using real money. Admission to the master's in finance program requires transcripts and GMAT or GRE scores.
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Johnson & Wales University-OnlineLocation
Providence, RI
Johnson & Wales University offers a 30- to 36-credit online MS in finance. The program requires a five-course core that explores key concepts such as financial management, personal financial planning, and financial reporting and control.
Students can choose electives to meet the educational requirements necessary to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst or Certified Financial Planner Certification Examinations. Electives cover topics such as estate and retirement planning, bond market analysis, and alternative investments. A financial planning capstone uses the case study method to explore scenarios that financial planners may encounter in their profession.
All online learners pay the same affordable per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Applicants with a minimum 2.8 GPA need not submit GMAT scores.
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Southern New Hampshire UniversityLocation
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate54%
One of the nation's largest virtual colleges, Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 200 degrees. The 36-credit online MS in finance prepares students for the Chartered Financial Analyst Certification Examination. The program offers two concentrations: corporate finance, and investments and securities.
All students complete core courses that explore subjects such as managerial economics, risk management, financial modelling, and investment analysis and portfolio management. Each concentration requires nine credits. Students without the requisite educational background may need to complete three non-credit foundation courses.
Participants develop advanced financial analysis, quantitative, and decision-making skills. Students can transfer up to 12 credits into this master's in finance program. Five start terms give prospective students enrollment flexibility. All degree-seekers pay the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Admission requires a bachelor's degree.
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University of Massachusetts-LowellLocation
Lowell, MA
Tuition$18257
Graduation Rate63%
UMass Lowell administers programs through six colleges. Students can earn the school's MS in finance entirely online in 18 months. The degree offers a strong foundation in advanced financial theories and their practical applications.
The 10-course curriculum requires five core courses that include corporate finance, financial statement analysis, and security analysis and portfolio management. One course focuses on financial management in the global context, including monetary systems and international currency flows. Participants supplement the core with five elective courses that cover topics such as fixed income securities and advanced portfolio management.
All students in this finance master's program pay the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. UMass Lowell offers comprehensive financial aid, including scholarship opportunities. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and GMAT scores.
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Creighton UniversityLocation
Omaha, NE
Graduation Rate81%
Students enrolled at Creighton University receive a rigorous education rooted in the Jesuit tradition. The Omaha-based college offers an online master of finance that cultivates knowledgeable, ethical, and socially responsible finance professionals. Students can complete the degree entirely online or in hybrid format. The 33-credit curriculum examines core topics such as quantitative analysis, fixed income and derivatives, and financial statement analysis.
A course on leadership and organizational behavior acquaints learners with key theories and models that explain how leaders influence employee behaviors and attitudes. All students complete an ethics-focused elective course. Other elective credits in this master's in finance explore topics such as economic analysis for managers and the economics of investment management.
Admission to the master's in finance requires a bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and GMAT scores for some applicants. Ambitious learners may also want to consider the school's dual master's in finance and MBA program, a 48-credit program that students can complete online in three years.
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Saint Joseph's UniversityLocation
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate80%
A Jesuit Catholic college located in Philadelphia, Saint Joseph's University provides a rigorous education rooted in the liberal arts. The 30-42-credit MS in finance offers three tracks: financial analysis, financial planning, and real estate finance. The financial planning track satisfies the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Financial Planner Examination.
The program provides an 11-credit foundation for students without a business background. All students complete a three-course core that examines portfolio management, financial institutions and capital markets, and shareholder value management.
Full-time students can complete the degree in 12-18 months. All online students pay the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Admission to the finance master's degree requires a bachelor's degree and GMAT or GRE scores.
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University of ScrantonLocation
Scranton, PA
Graduation Rate82%
The University of Scranton is one of 27 Jesuit colleges in the United States. Scranton's growing virtual college includes an MS in finance. The program prepares enrollees for key professional certifications such as certified financial planner and chartered financial analyst. The 30-credit program includes eight core courses on topics such as financial management, portfolio theory, and investment analysis.
A required course uses case studies, discussions, and guest lectures to examine the relationship between sustainable development, the business entity, and its stakeholders. Students can use elective credits to take courses on topics such as treasury management or financial reporting and research.
Full-time students can complete this master's in finance in just one year. All students pay the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
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Bellevue UniversityLocation
Bellevue, NE
Bellevue University designs programs to accommodate the needs of nontraditional learners. The school's online master's in strategic finance prepares learners to earn professional certifications such as certified financial planner and chartered financial analyst.
The 36-to 39-credit program includes core courses on topics such as financial reporting and analysis, investments, and cash management. A required course teaches students how to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders as they explore concepts such as emotional intelligence and self-management.
The program offers several nine-credit concentrations in areas such as accounting, finance, and marketing. A notable interdisciplinary option allows students to design their own concentration. Admission to the master's in finance requires a bachelor's degree.
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