20 Best Online Master’s in Finance Programs

Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $1,884 per credit hour

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Our top Master of Science in finance degree program is offered through the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University.  The program is designed for students with prior experience in finance.  The accelerated Master of Science in finance offers the opportunity to specialize in corporate finance or investments.

By integrating CFA materials into the curriculum, this program is especially adept in preparing students for the professional world, as it focuses not only on the cultivation of theoretical knowledge but also on the development of organizational, management, and leadership skills. Online master’s in finance students can earn their degree in as little as 16 months even with its extensive offering of core courses like:

• Financial Theory and Policy
• Analysis of Financial Institutions and Markets
• Financial Strategy
• Investment Analysis
• Portfolio Management
• International Finance Management and Financial Risk Management

Northeastern also provides its online Master’s in Finance students the unique opportunity to become better equity researchers and portfolio managers through participating in the 360 Huntington Fund, a student-managed mutual fund for the University’s endowment. Though its tuition is higher than many of the best master of finance programs, Northeastern’s unique and comprehensive program is unmatched.

No GMAT is required for this online master’s in finance with at least five years of experience in financial leadership, budgetary responsibility, and staff management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $12,805 per semester (12 or more credits)

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Penn State World Campus offers one of the top master’s in finance programs that meet the demands of an ever-changing market environment.  Students gain a broad range of skills in areas like:

• financial modeling
• capital structure
• analysis of financial markets
• derivative securities

The program follows a cohort model, allowing finance students to progress through courses together.  Course offerings help students prepare for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planning (CFP) designation after graduation.

While the program is a better fit for those with pre-existing financial experience, it is nonetheless flexible and serves as a bridge into a wide range of financial professions. In fact, according to a recent survey published in the Wall Street Journal, recruiters classified Penn State graduates as being the most well-prepared for the professional world.

NOTE: During their fourth term, finance students must attend a one-week Penn State’s Great Valley campus residency program.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 24:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $637/credit

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Though slightly more expensive than its counterparts, Southern New Hampshire University’s Master of Science in Finance program is nationally recognized.  Students can choose from an MS in Accounting Finance or an MS in Finance.  Concentrations in the accelerated best online master in finance program include corporate finance, investments, and securities.  

With its distance learning program beginning in 1996, SNHU is one of the oldest online university programs and boasts both experienced faculty and prestigious post-graduate opportunities in financial management, corporate finance, and investment banking. Students can complete their online master’s in as little as 15 months.  Graduates are prepared to take the CFA level 1 exam.

Core classes include:

• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Risk Management
• Fiscal and Monetary Policies and Practices
• Quantitative Analysis for Decision-Making

SNHU is one of 150 accredited programs worldwide with a master’s program that counts toward eligibility for the AFA Accredited Financial Analyst by the Global Academy of Finance and Management.  Graduates may apply for this esteemed designation.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 25:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $675 per credit

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

One of the strongest aspects of Colorado State University Global Masters (CSU Global) in Finance program is its dedication to customizing its program to individual student goals, whether in information technology or business intelligence. Specializations are available in several areas, including:

• Organizational Leadership and Change Management
• Strategic Innovation and Change Management
• Organizational Learning and Performance

Ranked by U.S News & World as one of the top 100 Graduate Business Programs in the nation, the online degree allows students to enjoy many of the same benefits as their on-campus counterparts, such as:

• access to the library and career center
• technical support services
• 24/7 live tutoring

Focusing on topics from enterprise risk management to auditing and accounting, this degree facilitates the use of technology as a key factor in financial decision-making. This best online master’s degree in finance will prepare graduates with the skills, practice, and experience necessary for a solid career in finance.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $54,855 annual full-time program

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

For a slightly higher-than-average tuition price, Bentley University’s online business program students can expect an average starting salary of over $64,000 per year. The school’s commitment to professional development is further echoed in its propensity to employ 71% of its graduates within three months and its tight alumni network and relationship with prestigious corporate finance firms.

Students can choose to pursue a path in either financial analytics or finance.  Foundation courses for both paths include:

• Managerial Statistics
• Economic Environment of the Firm
• Accounting for Decision-Making
• Calculus

Developed in cooperation with corporate finance business professionals, the curricula of this best online master’s in finance are both practical and theoretical, as they include important math, economics, and accounting practices. Furthermore, students looking to take the CFA exam might want to strongly consider this program, as it was recently lauded for incorporating “at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge.” GMAT or GRE scores are required for this master in finance but may be waived for qualified students.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $640 per credit

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Students enrolled in Florida Institute of Technology’s (Florida Tech) online MBA in Finance program can take specialized courses in areas like:

• Financial Markets and Institutions
• Investment Management
• Portfolio Analysis
• Organizational Behavior

Boasting a unique “case method approach”, this best online MBA program in finance mandates its students to take a two-term “Essentials of Business Development” class, in which students, under faculty supervision, fully develop an actual business plan designed for real world application. FIT’s commitment to individualized learning is further reflected in its requirement that students complete a Strategic Management capstone project.

FIT has a deeply rooted commitment to individualized, hands-on education.  Students complete a strategic management capstone course that prepares them for success after graduation.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $89,568

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

If money is no object, an online Master’s in Finance (MSF) from Georgetown University is an excellent choice.

Though the program is significantly more expensive than its online competitors, the investment seems well worth it, given Georgetown’s ranking as the #1 Finance Program by Bloomberg Businessweek, not to mention its impeccably low student-teacher ratio (typically 11:1). This online master in finance does require either a GMAT or GRE score.

In only 21 months, full and part-time students learn how markets work per the Efficient Market Hypothesis and the Hypothesis of Behavioral Finance.  They can test their skills through stock, bond, and derivative evaluation. During Georgetown’s rigorous program, students also learn to construct efficient portfolios and estimate expected returns and risks. 

Georgetown University professors utilize technology to deliver personalized lesson plans to each student. (NOTE: This online degree program requires both a weeklong on-site residence on Georgetown’s campus and a capstone project.)

Courses are delivered in a blended learning format, including asynchronous lectures and weekly live classes.  Students move through the program as a cohort, building their professional network.

Current employers for graduates of this best online finance master’s program include:

• Amazon
• Morgan Stanley
• Exxon Mobile
• U.S. Army
• World Bank Group
• Pratt & Whitney

Student to Faculty Ratio: 27:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $676 per credit

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Equipping students with the unique ability to interpret financial legislation and regulations, Purdue University Global Master’s degree in Finance cultivates crucial critical thinking skills. Students can choose from three focus areas including:

• financial analysis
• financial planning
• treasury management

Students are expected to spend about 20 hours per week on coursework.  Courses are offered in short, six-week sessions.  Students are given practical assignments and reports and the opportunity to present and collaborate on group projects.

Purdue builds skills through this degree program that employers are looking for, such as:

• active listening
• critical thinking
• problem-solving
• mathematics
• communication

Most students can earn their degree in two years of full-time study.  ACBSP accredits this low-cost online master’s in finance and will prepare graduates for successful jobs in these top careers:

• financial managers
• budget, credit, and financial analysts
• personal financial advisors

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $25,500

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

The online Masters degree in Finance from Indiana University is a great program for aspiring chief financial officers.  The 30-credit hour curriculum is offered in a flexible, online format.  Courses are taught by the same faculty who teach the brick-and-mortar program.  Core financial courses include:

• Managing Accounting Information for Decision Making
• Asset Pricing and Security Valuation
• Information Technology for Managers

Furthermore, while this flexible and convenient degree can be obtained in as little as 15 months, students can combine it with an online MBA. The 66-credit-hour combined degree program can save students both time and money.

To help with tuition, students can apply for third-party scholarships and military benefits.  Graduates report that this top master’s in finance degree is immediately applicable.  It can lead to increased salary opportunities and job promotions, making the cost of tuition well worth it.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $845 per credit (in-state)

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers one of the top masters of finance programs with their MS in Financial Management.  Master’s students at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) take core courses focused on recent global market turmoil and elective courses according to their interests.

To further develop students’ practical financial management skills, faculty members, many of whom have industry connections with multinational corporations, serve as student mentors and offer unique experiential learning opportunities.

Specialization course offerings include:

• Multinational Financial Management
• Financial Management in Organizations
• Strategic Financial Management

Furthermore, the UMUC program is especially ideal for veterans, as The Council of College and Military Educators recognized the school in 2011 for its dedication to education for service members.

This affordable master’s in financial management will prepare graduates for jobs in

• Financial Planning
• Financial Analysis
• Investments Analysis
• Loans
• Consulting

Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $660 per credit

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Despite its reputation as one of the most affordable Master’s in Finance degrees, the quality of Bellevue University’s program is top-notch. This Master’s in Strategic Finance offers courses in areas such as:

• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Accounting for Performance Management
• Financial Management and Strategy
• Business Analysis for decision-making

The University prides itself in its extensive means of student support, including its:

• small class sizes
• close professor interactions
• networking opportunities
• 24/7 classroom access

This budget-friendly master’s in finance degree program offers numerous concentrations, such as business analytics and international management. Those who complete the core course in cash management are eligible to register for the CTPA professional certification exam through Bellevue’s connection with the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP).

Graduate students are eligible for Direct Student Loans and graduate program scholarships through Bellevue.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $390 per credit

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Offering its first online finance degree as early as 1999, Webster University boasts a rich history of distance learning. Webster offers an online master’s in finance accredited by ACBSP and an MBA with an emphasis in Corporate Finance. Both are available online and offered through the Walker School of Business & Technology. An MBA/MS Finance dual degree is also offered, requiring:

• Five selected MBA courses
• Six selected MS Finance courses
• Four courses are required for both

Students take courses in areas like:

• Business Strategy
• Financial Modeling
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Entrepreneurial Finance
• Capital Budgeting

This broad education base helps students prepare to take the Chartered Financial Analyst or CFP exams. With one of the field’s lowest student-to-faculty ratios (typically 9:1), students benefit from in-depth class discussion and faculty expertise and can combine their online degrees with in-class coursework.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by one of the main business school accreditation bodies.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $1,768 per credit

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Committed to the Jesuit ideal of “cura personalis” (care for the whole person), St Joseph’s offers the best online master’s of finance that is conducive to professional development. The program mandates core courses in areas like:

• Financial Planning
• Financial Analysis
• Corporate Finance

The Master of Science in Finance from St. Joseph’s is a CFP-certified program.  Seven of the courses satisfy the educational requirements needed to sit for the CFP exam.

Students have great flexibility in their curriculum and can design their schedules and choose between eight and 15-week semesters. It’s easy to understand why the 2023 U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Joseph’s in the top 20 best graduate finance degrees.  Many tuition discounts are available, including alumni and mission discounts.  This AACSB-accredited school can be completed in 1-2 years.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $13,320

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

Since 1996, National University, based in San Diego, California, has offered a comprehensive online MBA with a concentration in financial management. While providing students with a theoretical background in financial management, this finance degree’s specialty equips students with practical problem-solving skills. Students take courses in areas like:

• growth and diversification policy
• securities portfolios management
• investment banking
• merger strategies
• foreign exchange rate movement analysis

The program prepares students to evaluate a financial institution’s predicament and advise accordingly.

During this rigorous program, students have the active support of National’s faculty advisors and helpful resources, like the University’s Center for Financial Studies’ data and ticker boards with market information.

The streamlined application process allows students to enroll in the program right away.  Applications are accepted year-round, and new classes begin each month.  This accelerated master’s in finance can be completed in as little as 12 months.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $1,090 per credit

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

With origins as early as 1993, Golden Gate University’s distance learning program is one of the nation’s oldest. After concentrating on finance (corporate or general) or investment management, students develop a wide variety of practical skills, such as:

• financial statement analysis
• evaluate risk and return
• financial accounting
• formulate management strategies
• understand corporations’ financial decisions

GGU offers a top online MBA with a finance concentration, and with its extensive alumni network, graduates are sure to make connections that will expand their careers. Students develop a theoretical knowledge of finance while participating in hands-on learning through case studies.  This focus on practical professional skills, along with the excellent student-to-professor ratio and consistent faculty support, were noted by students as some of their favorite components of the program.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $26,460

Accreditation: Higher Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The School for Business at Metropolitan College of New York offers a flexible online MBA in financial services.  Although this one-year MBA is offered online, students can experience hands-on, field-based learning and are exposed to various real-world economic scenarios. Showcasing a low student-to-faculty ratio of only 5:1, this program focuses on the following:

• business modeling
• managerial skill development
• geographical markets
• both product and customer services

This ACBSP accredited MBA in finance with networking opportunities through its business partnerships and alumni.  Graduates have gone on to earn leadership positions in financial institutions, hospitals, and advertising agencies.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $16,954

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

The online Master of Science in Finance program from Auburn University is one of the top finance degree programs in the United States.  This Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited program is taught by industry experts.  The course curriculum covers areas like:

• corporate finance
• investments
• financial institutions and markets

Students can add an MBA to their finance degree program with just a few extra hours of coursework.  Graduate certificate options are available, allowing students to enhance their career opportunities.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $985 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

One of the top masters in finance programs online is offered by The University of Oklahoma.  This 32-credit hour program can be completed in just 16 months.  Students complete a set of pre-determined courses taught by internationally recognized faculty.  Course offerings include:

• Fixed Income Securities and Markets
• Business Ethics/Legal
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Derivative Securities and Markets

Students are eligible for Federal Financial Aid and may be eligible for additional scholarships through UO.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $725 per credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

For a very affordable price, students enrolled at Concordia University’s MBA in finance program can customize their courses to create a tailor-made experience.  Finance course offerings include:

• Corporate Finance
• International Finance
• Securities Analysis
• Financial Institutions Management
• Portfolio Mathematics

The school’s ultimate, self-proclaimed focus is “business from a Christian perspective,” and works on developing students’ skill sets to make confident, informed, logical financial decisions in the modern economy. CUW’s commitment to individual development aids this, as students can complete a capstone project in their specific field of interest at the end of this top online master’s in finance program.

Concordia offers thousands in scholarships for adult and post-traditional learners.  Other financial aid options are also available.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Average Graduate Tuition: $29,520

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

Home to the nation’s first online Financial Programming MBA, California Lutheran University boasts a long history of student success.  The comprehensive curriculum prepares students to:

• integrate both financial and product market strategy
• measure and analyze asset and portfolio risk management
• develop business leadership skills

These skills are enhanced by the school’s diverse experiential learning offerings.  Students can intern at local companies, pursue rich study abroad opportunities, and gain valuable work experience at the university’s Westlake Center. Electing to take courses in five or eight-week terms, students at Cal Lutheran cite their tight-knit community and abundant networking opportunities as their favorite components of the program. 

Students can complete their online master’s in finance in just 12 to 24 months.  Both full and part-time program options are available.  Core courses include:

• Tax Management and Strategy
• Principles of Estate Planning
• Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning
• Investment and Portfolio Management

Cal Lutheran has an excellent reputation. It is considered one of the top schools by Financial Planning Magazine, and U.S. News and World Report lists it as one of the top 20 schools in the Western United States.

No GMAT is necessary for this online master’s in finance if you meet certain requirements, such as already having a master’s or having a GPA of 3.0 or higher.