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Best Online Finance Degree Programs (2026)
Updated July 30, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Key takeaway: Online finance degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level by accredited schools nationwide, and finance is a common academic route into corporate finance, banking, investment, and financial planning roles. For the CFP-track household-planning degree, see financial planning. A bachelor’s is typically the entry credential for analyst-track roles, while a master’s or MBA can support advancement into management or specialized advisory positions. Compare accredited programs below.
An online finance degree covers how individuals, businesses, and markets manage money, risk, and investment decisions, combining quantitative methods with applied business practice. Accredited online programs generally deliver the same curriculum and degree titles as campus programs; browse the best accredited online colleges to compare schools that offer them. Many business schools pursue AACSB accreditation, a recognized programmatic accreditor for business and finance programs.
Schools Offering Finance Programs
These accredited schools offer online finance programs. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
Average net price (lower is better) 20%
Retention rate 15%
Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
BOC
Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.
Browse finance programs by degree level to see curriculum, admissions, and format details for each stage of study.
Quick Answers
What do online finance programs cover?
Online finance programs cover how individuals, businesses, and markets manage money. Coursework commonly includes financial accounting, corporate finance, investments, financial markets, and quantitative or statistical methods.
What online finance degree levels are common?
Common online levels include an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS), and a master’s degree (MS or MBA with a finance concentration).
Does a finance degree require licensure?
A finance degree alone does not require licensure. Some finance-related roles require passing exams administered by regulatory bodies, such as FINRA exams for securities roles or state insurance exams for certain advisory positions. Professional certifications such as the CFA charter are optional credentials many professionals pursue after graduation.
What accreditation should finance students look for?
Students should verify accreditation from a recognized institutional accreditor – such as HLC, SACSCOC, ACCSC, or ABHES – through the U.S. Department of Education database. Many business schools also hold AACSB or ACBSP programmatic accreditation for their business and finance programs.
What is the difference between a finance degree and an accounting degree?
Finance focuses on managing, investing, and allocating money and analyzing risk and return, while accounting focuses on recording, reporting, and auditing financial transactions. Some programs let students combine both through electives or a dual concentration.
What you’ll study
Online finance programs blend quantitative methods with applied business practice. Core coursework commonly spans financial accounting, corporate finance, investments and portfolio theory, financial markets and institutions, statistics or quantitative analysis, and business ethics. Many programs let you focus through a concentration such as corporate finance, investment management, financial planning, or banking and financial institutions.
Coursework builds toward analytical skills used across corporate, investment, and personal-finance settings, including financial statement analysis, valuation methods, and risk assessment.
Careers for finance graduates
Finance graduates apply their skills in corporate finance departments, banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and financial planning practices. Entry-level analyst and associate roles are generally accessible with a bachelor’s; management, portfolio management, and specialized advisory roles often call for a master’s degree, an MBA, or professional certifications such as the CFA charter, in addition to work experience.
Median annual wage for the highest-paying finance careers. Source: BLS OEWS. Chart: Best Online College.View the data behind this chart
Accreditation – confirm recognized institutional accreditation and check for AACSB or ACBSP programmatic accreditation in the business school.
Curriculum fit – compare core coursework and elective or concentration options against your target career path, such as corporate finance, investments, or financial planning.
Faculty and industry connections – look for programs that connect students with internships, case competitions, or industry mentors.
Cost – compare tuition per credit and total credits required, not just the advertised annual rate, and review ways to reduce total cost.
Finance or a related field? Choose finance for a focus on investment, valuation, and capital management; explore accounting if you are more interested in financial reporting and auditing, or business administration for a broader management foundation.
Prefer to study close to home? Browse online finance programs by state for state salary data, licensing details, and city-level guides.
