An online master’s in finance is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want advanced, specialized training in financial analysis, investments, or corporate finance. Programs may emphasize quantitative methods, leadership, or a specific practice area depending on the school.
This page explains how master’s programs are structured, what coursework typically includes, and what to compare across schools.
Quick answers
What is an online master’s in finance?
It is a graduate-level program that builds advanced financial analysis, investment, and corporate finance knowledge through online coursework.
What degree titles are common?
Common options include a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) or an MBA with a finance concentration, depending on the institution and your career goals.
How is an MSF different from an MBA in finance?
An MSF typically goes deeper into technical finance topics such as valuation, derivatives, and quantitative methods. An MBA with a finance concentration usually covers broader general-management coursework alongside finance electives.
What is typically included in the curriculum?
Most programs include a shared core in corporate finance, investments, and financial modeling, plus electives or a concentration and often a capstone project.
What do admissions requirements usually include?
Most programs require a completed bachelor’s degree. Common elements include transcripts, a resume, and a statement of purpose; some programs request GMAT or GRE scores or relevant work experience.
Programs may use standard term schedules, accelerated shorter terms, or part-time options with lighter course loads for working professionals.
At a Glance
- Degree type: Master of Science in Finance (MSF) or MBA with finance concentration
- Typical duration: 1-2 years full-time
- Credits: Typically 30-36 semester hours
- Format: Online, often designed for working professionals
- Accreditation: Check for AACSB or ACBSP business-school accreditation
Schools to compare
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.
Graduation rate
89%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$71,588
Avg net price
$6,541/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 172
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
96%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$91,885
Avg net price
$14,860/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 99%
- Programs offered: 105
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$91,565
Avg net price
$15,846/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 96%
- Programs offered: 157
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$75,790
Avg net price
$15,564/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 90%
- Programs offered: 193
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 96%
- Programs offered: 34
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
92%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$104,736
Avg net price
$28,849/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 40
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
81%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$68,964
Avg net price
$18,732/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 90%
- Programs offered: 25
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
80%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$82,804
Avg net price
$28,210/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 86%
- Programs offered: 47
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Typical topics in a master’s program
| Course Topic |
What You Learn |
| Advanced Corporate Finance |
Capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, valuation methods |
| Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management |
Asset allocation, portfolio construction, and performance measurement |
| Financial Modeling |
Building and interpreting quantitative financial models |
| Derivatives & Risk Management |
Options, futures, and hedging strategies |
| Financial Markets & Institutions |
Advanced study of banking, regulation, and market structure |
| Capstone or Applied Project |
Applied financial analysis project or comprehensive case study |
Skills and outcomes to compare
Outcomes vary by program, but you can compare:
- Depth of quantitative and modeling coursework
- Applied project, case competition, or practicum requirements
- Concentration or elective options, such as investment management or corporate finance
- Career services support, including recruiting relationships with financial-services employers
For pacing and delivery comparisons, see: How Online Finance Degrees Work
How to compare online master’s programs
- Identify the program type: general MSF, specialized concentration, or MBA with a finance track.
- Review the core curriculum and capstone or applied-project requirements.
- Check concentrations and electives that fit your target career path.
- Confirm admissions expectations, including test-score policies and work-experience preferences.
- Compare online format and pacing options against your schedule.
- Verify institutional accreditation and, where relevant, AACSB or ACBSP accreditation.
A master’s in finance is not the same as the
CFA charter, which is a separate professional credential earned through the CFA Institute’s own exam program. Some master’s programs align coursework with CFA exam topics, but completing the degree does not automatically confer the charter.
Admissions requirements
Requirements vary by school, but most programs require a completed bachelor’s degree. Common elements include transcripts, a resume, and a statement of purpose. Some programs request GMAT or GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or relevant professional experience, though many online programs offer test-optional admission.
Master’s vs a bachelor’s in finance
A bachelor’s in finance is generally the entry credential for analyst and associate-track roles. A master’s in finance is typically pursued to build deeper quantitative and analytical skills, support a career pivot into finance from another field, or position for advancement into management or specialized advisory roles.
Compare degree options:
For a value and fit discussion, see: Is an Online Finance Degree Worth It
Data verified: July 30, 2026.
Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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