Best Online Finance Degrees 2024

A bachelor's in finance is a four-year undergraduate business degree that covers subjects such as accounting, economics, management, and financial record-keeping. Some schools may offer finance as a major, while others feature this subject as a concentration within business degrees.

A 2023 survey from the CFA Institute revealed that, among professionals aged 18-25, finance is the most appealing business sector to work in, primarily for its stability and abundance of job opportunities. With strong salaries and a positive job outlook, starting with a bachelor's program in finance can set you on an ideal path to various financial professions.

Online undergraduate degrees in finance can offer more flexibility in scheduling classes and completing assignments. With distance learning, you can attend faraway schools that would otherwise require you to relocate.

Explore a list of the top online finance degrees below. This helpful guide covers information such as accreditation, tuition costs, common coursework, and program delivery methods.

Top Finance Programs Online

What to Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Finance Program

On-campus and online programs provide the same level of rigor, so long as they are accredited. If a prestigious school features a distance education program, an online degree would carry the same regard as an on-campus program. Often, distance education programs don't mention the online modality on the diploma itself.

Students typically must complete 120 total credits covering courses like corporate finance, business decision-making, and data analysis, regardless of delivery method, though schedules may differ.

How Does an Online Finance Degree Differ From an On-Campus Bachelor's?

Though online and in-person learning typically share similar coursework and instructors, their interactions differ based on delivery method. In an on-campus program, learners attend classes on a set schedule several times per week, interacting directly with their professors and classmates.

In math-focused finance coursework, students can receive immediate feedback from instructors. Online finance programs provide opportunities for communication as well, though they may be indirect. Entrepreneurial finance students may also prefer in-person learning to bounce business ideas off of classmates and discuss business opportunities.

On-campus programs may also make it easier to complete internships and other real-world learning experiences. As a subset of business, many finance students benefit from experiential learning in accounting firms and other organizations. Online students can still pursue these opportunities, but may need to relocate or find their own placements.

With opportunities for flat-rate tuition and more flexible scheduling, online finance programs can offer a few distinct benefits over traditional degrees. However, every student's learning preferences vary, making the online vs. on-campus decision specific to each learner. Some enrollees may not prefer the flexibility of asynchronous learning, for example.

Delivery Formats for Online Finance Degrees

Online finance degrees may operate through several methods. These may occur in hybrid delivery, which blends in-person and online learning, along with any experiential learning requirements. Some online bachelor's degrees in finance use hybrid delivery, but 100% online appears to be a more common option. Make sure to research any in-person requirements.

Distance learning, whether in a hybrid or fully online environment, occurs through synchronous and/or asynchronous delivery. Synchronous learning applies set class times for students to log on and view live lectures, mirroring the in-person learning experience.

Asynchronous delivery uses recorded lectures and requires enrollees to complete assignments on their own schedules with set deadlines.

The ideal delivery method suits your schedule and learning style. Finance degrees use both modalities, giving you the freedom to select a school that aligns with your preferences.

For example, some online finance programs require group projects, but do not have required attendance. Learners who benefit from direct interactions with peers but still want to study online can prioritize synchronous programs.

Outside of classroom learning, even 100% online programs may have in-person requirements, such as internships. Before committing to any program, make sure to check that you can arrange for these requirements locally, or travel to any locations as necessary.

Accreditation for Online Finance Degrees

Accreditation is a process through which third-party organizations assess institutions of higher education, along with their programs, to ensure that they meet high academic standards. Institutional accreditation applies to entire colleges and universities. In this process, accreditors evaluate aspects such as faculty, student outcomes, curricular offerings, and available resources.

You can attend an accredited school and know that it will deliver a high-quality education. Attending an accredited school also enables you to receive federal financial aid, transfer credits to other accredited institutions, and qualify for some certifications. For example, to become a certified financial planner (CFP), you must graduate from an accredited school.

Online schools and in-person colleges receive accreditation from the same organizations. As you research online colleges, you should focus only on accredited schools.

Programmatic accreditation refers to departments and programs within colleges and universities. This specialized form of accreditation focuses on specific majors to signal that the program provides strong resources and preparation for the workforce.

In the business space, there are three primary accreditors: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

Graduating with an online finance degree accredited by the ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB signals to prospective employers that you have received a top-level business education.

How Much Will an Online Finance Bachelor's Cost?

A key element of pursuing higher education is figuring out your finances. Even the most affordable online finance degrees require you to plan for expenses beyond tuition.

Costs for these programs can differ significantly. For example, some schools charge higher per-credit rates if you live out of state. Some schools consider state residency for online rates, and others don't. In general, a private institution will have higher tuition than a public school

Annual tuition alone can range from around $6,000 to nearly $40,000, making your research crucial. Two schools may deliver similarly high-quality degrees, but due to their private vs. public status or your location, you may end up paying way more than necessary.

With in-person college, you need to factor in room and board (or transportation) and relocation costs. Online learning removes these additional considerations, though hybrid learning may still require you to commute to campus.

Even still, distance education can include additional tech fees not present in on-campus learning, like access to digital textbooks. And if your home internet is not reliable, you may need to commute to a place with an internet connection.

Fortunately, there are several forms of financial assistance that allow you to focus on your studies, rather than how to afford your degree. Most learners complete a FAFSA form, which details their eligibility for various forms of aid, including grants and federal loans.

Grants and scholarships do not require repayment, so make sure to start with them before researching loans. Whether from independent lenders or the federal government, loans carry interest and require repayment — though they typically defer payments until after graduation or an otherwise stated period.

Why Get Your Bachelor's in Finance Online?

Earning an online finance degree can deliver the same top-level education as an on-campus program while offering several benefits, such as scheduling freedom. Though online degrees each have different schedules, there are several ways that distance learning can fit into your busy life.

For example, you can complete assignments and view recorded lectures at your leisure with asynchronous delivery. If you plan to maintain full-time employment while pursuing an education, this benefit gives online learning a significant leg up over the on-campus experience.

With many professions also shifting to the virtual space, learning online also prepares you for the modern workplace. Collaboration and communication are two crucial skills for nearly every profession. With so much professional correspondence now taking place through email and video conferencing, distance education can uniquely prepare you for these environments.

The modern finance world includes many technical elements, like data analysis and financial management tools. Considering that your professional work will require tech savviness to handle large data sets, you can become comfortable with finance software and hardware before graduating from online school.

Questions About Online Finance Degrees

The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accounting.com. Page last reviewed Feb. 22, 2024.