Best Online Master's in Finance 2024
Updated February 7, 2024
Edited by
This article was drafted using natural language generation technology and has been reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial staff.
Earning an online master's degree in in finance from an accredited program is a great way to advance your career. By earning this degree, you will gain expertise in areas like financial analysis, portfolio management, and business valuation. You'll also develop skills such as investment strategy, financial planning, and market analysis. You may also decide to continue your education and pursue a doctorate in finance.
With a master's in finance, you can pursue a variety of careers, such as stockbroker, financial advisor, or asset manager. Additionally, there may be internships and networking opportunities available, and many schools offer financial aid and scholarships to help with tuition costs.
Explore Featured Master's in Finance Programs
Top 5 Master's in Finance Degrees
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 Master’s in Finance 2024
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,800
Out-of-State | $1,800
Credits to Graduate: 30
Johns Hopkins' master of science in finance can help you acquire the leadership and quantitative skills needed to succeed in corporate finance careers or pass the CPA exam. This part-time, online degree includes some in-person residency requirements in Baltimore.
You need a bachelor's degree to apply but do not have to submit GRE or GMAT scores for admission. In the fall of 2023, the average new student in this program was 32 years old, held an undergraduate GPA of 3.21, and had 5.2 years of work experience.
#2 Best Online Master’s in Finance 2024
Georgetown University
Washington, DC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $2,488
Out-of-State | $2,488
Credits to Graduate: 33
Georgetown's master of science in finance can develop your leadership, business, and technical finance expertise through accelerated or traditional options. This degree takes 10-21 months to complete and blends asynchronous learning with weekly, video-based class meetings. You also participate in an in-person financial markets residency and a weeklong immersion outside your home country.
After graduation, you can pursue careers in fintech, private equity, asset banking, or other finance-related fields. For admission, send your undergraduate transcripts, evidence of your experience, and GRE or GMAT scores.
#3 Best Online Master’s in Finance 2024
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $2,421
Out-of-State | $2,421
Credits to Graduate: 32
UM's online master of science in finance covers topics such as strategic management, economic theory, and statistical analysis. This 16-month program requires eight courses, each lasting seven weeks. These classes include intermediate corporate finance and investments and fundamentals of finance, accounting, and economics.
You can study in person or virtually and earn a certificate in corporate finance or financial decision-making. For admission, you need to submit all academic transcripts and scores from standardized tests you have taken in the last five years.
#4 Best Online Master’s in Finance 2024
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $834
Out-of-State | $1,000
Credits to Graduate: 36
FIU's master of science in finance is a 12-month, fully online degree that allows you to specialize in financial innovation. Courses include financial risk management, securities analysis, and quantitative methods in financial analysis. You also can specialize in topics such as fintech, Python, and big data.
Each course lasts eight weeks. You can become a certified Bitcoin professional through the degree. Admission requirements include an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and acceptable GRE or GMAT scores.
#5 Best Online Master’s in Finance 2024
Colorado State University Global Campus
Aurora, CO - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 36
CSU-Global's online master's degree in finance requires 24 core credits and 12 specialization credits. You can choose from 16 specializations, including human resource management, applied business management, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. All courses in this 100% online degree are fully asynchronous and last eight weeks.
After graduation, you can pursue careers in private companies, public corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. For standard admission, you need a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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.
-
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.
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Overview: Master's in Finance
A student pursuing a master's in finance online can expect to complete their program in about two years. Common topics covered include corporate finance, investments, financial planning, and risk management. Students can gain a variety of skills, including financial model building, financial statement analysis, and data analysis.
At the end of their program, students typically complete a capstone project. This project often involves hands-on experience and can be tailored to the student's interests. Depending on the institution and program, students may also be required to take exams or complete other requirements before graduating. Continue reading for more information about the best online master's in finance programs.
Salary and Demand for Finance Occupations
If you are considering a master's in finance, it is important to understand the career and salary outlook for the field. Common occupations related to finance include:
- Accountants and auditors
- Business teachers, postsecondary
- Credit counselors
- Financial clerks
- Financial examiners
- Financial managers
- Personal financial advisors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that financial managers
The BLS also provides data on the projected growth
Paying for a Program
You're likely concerned about financing your master's in finance program. It's important to understand the various sources of financial aid and how to access them. According to a 2017 report from the National Center for Education Statistics DataLab
For most students, scholarships, fellowships, and need-based financial aid are preferable to loans. There are many sources of financial aid, including state and private financial aid, work-study, fellowships, and 529 plans. Additionally, the cost is often different for online versus on-campus programs, and for in-state versus out-of-state students. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA
Online vs. On Campus
Online programs provide the flexibility to learn on your own time from the comfort of home, often at a lower cost. On-campus programs, on the other hand, provide students with the traditional college experience and access to a variety of campus amenities.
The choice between an online or on-campus master's in finance will depend on the student's particular needs and preferences.
Public vs. Private
Public colleges typically offer a wider range of programs and classes due to government funding. They also tend to have larger student bodies, offering more opportunities for student diversity and extracurricular activities.
Private colleges typically have smaller class sizes and a better student-to-faculty ratio, but with higher tuition costs. Ultimately, the decision between private and public colleges is one that rests on the individual student.
Applying to a Finance Program
If you are applying to a master's in finance program, there are a few key factors to consider: application requirements, program length, and school reputation.
Many programs prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree in finance. Undergraduate work in finance or a related field will prepare you to dive deeper into the subject in your graduate studies. Additionally, you should look into the program’s duration to determine if it fits your schedule. If you need to complete the program quickly, an accelerated option may be ideal. Finally, you should research the school's reputation to ensure it is accredited and has credibility in the finance industry. Solid programs and faculty reputation are also important factors to consider.
Take time to compare these key elements to help you to make an informed decision when applying.
FAQs about Finance Degrees
What is the future demand for careers in the finance field?
The BLS projects that several careers in the finance field will experience growth between 2021 and 2031. For example:
- Financial managers
: 17% growth - Personal financial advisors
: 15% growth
What qualifications do I need to work in finance?
Depending on the career, qualifications for the finance field can vary. Generally, the BLS reports
What kind of salary can I expect to earn in the finance field?
Graduates of finance programs can enter lucrative occupations. For example, according to the BLS, the median salary for financial managers
Sources
- BLS Employment by Detailed Occupation
. (Accessed March 9, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. - BLS Occupation Finder
. (Accessed March 9, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. - Business and Financial Operations Occupations (Major Group)
. (Accessed March 9, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021. - Financial and Investment Analysts
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021. - Financial Managers
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021. - Financial Managers
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. - Personal Financial Advisors
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021. - Personal Financial Advisors
(Accessed June 14, 2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. - College Scorecard Data
. (Data retrieved May 12, 2021). U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. - IPEDS Access Databases
. (Data retrieved November 17, 2022). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. - Data Lab
. (Accessed March 9, 2023). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. - Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools
. (Data retrieved March 8, 2023). U.S. Department of Education, Office of Federal Student Aid. - What is a Finance Professional?
. (Accessed March 9, 2023). Zippia.
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