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10 Best Online MBA in Finance Degrees

mba in finance

An online MBA in Finance can provide you with business know-how and a rewarding career in the financial industry. Online MBA programs offer Finance concentrations to students who desire to work in a fast-paced Wall Street job or investment banker career.

If this sounds like you, consider getting an online MBA in Finance. According to The Princeton Review, this degree offers one of the best returns on investment of any graduate degree out there. With an MBA in Finance, you can increase your marketability, open yourself up to advancement opportunities, and improve your earning potential. You might even land your dream job as a top executive or CFO.

Featured Programs

Our editors first ranked online MBA in Finance programs in March 2023. This ranking was updated March 2024.

Find a perfect match for an online MBA in Finance with Business-Management-Degree.net! Learn what to expect from a typical online MBA in Finance program and get started today on launching your business career.

Related Rankings:

10 Best Online MBA in Finance Degrees

How We Ranked Best Online MBA in Finance Programs

The researchers and writers of Business-Management-Degree.net utilized many resources during the selection process for these schools and online degree programs. Criteria for this ranking included the following:

  • Graduate programs offering an online Master of Business Administration program with a concentration in Finance, Financial Management, or a related discipline
  • High-quality coursework in Finance that includes both specialized classes (electives) and foundational coursework
  • Experienced and well-credentialed faculty members who bring expertise in business and finance to the online classroom
  • A curriculum that provides learning experiences outside of completing online assignments
  • Retention rates, which are an excellent indicator of student satisfaction, no lower than 50%, as well as excellent graduation rates
  • Online students have access to academic support and student help desk information
  • Received notability among journalistic and academic resources
  • Graduate tuition for in-state students (schools listed according to raw affordability)

For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.

Best Online MBA in Finance Schools

RankSchool NameLocationTuition
#1University of NebraskaLincoln, NE$6,318
#2University of North TexasDenton, TX$7,160
#3University of AlabamaBirmingham, AL$8,424
#4Touro University WorldwideLos Alamitos, CA$9,000
#5North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC$9,459
#6Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN$9,922
#7Arizona State UniversityTempe, AZ$10,170
#8University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC$10,552
#9University of MassachusettsAmherst, MA$14,723
#10Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD$62,840
In-state tuition collected from National Center for Education Statistics – College Navigator.

1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Program Website

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an accelerated online MBA in Finance degree. Classes get completed throughout eight-week terms, and students can finish the entire degree in about 18 months. Students also have an opportunity to earn a Business Analytics or a Supply Chain Management Certificate alongside their major coursework.

The concentration coursework provides a broad approach to the profession, and students graduate with a firm understanding of the field. There are distinct elective options guaranteed to expand students’ perspectives in both business and finance.

Coursework Sample:

  • Fixed Income Analysis
  • Options, Futures, and Derivative Securities
  • Quantitative Methods for Finance

Pros

  • AACSB-accredited
  • Financial aid and scholarships for grad students
  • Large alumni network
  • Partnerships with career professionals as mentors
  • World-class Big Ten faculty

Cons

  • Large student population (over 23,000 students)
  • Limited number of transfer credits

2. University of North Texas

Program Website

Both the core requirements, as well as the specialized curriculum in the University of North Texas online MBA in Finance include challenging courses in financial management and leadership. The program is a well-rounded approach to the business finance profession and gives students the necessary tools to compete in the global job market.

UNT’s foundational curriculum has an emphasis on ethics, teamwork, communication, technology, global perspectives, and problem-solving. Graduates of UNT have gone on to become bank managers, business analysts, CFOs, and other impressive titles.

Coursework Sample:

  • Financial Markets and Institutions
  • In-state tuition for Texas residents
  • International Financial Management
  • Theory and Application of Financial Derivatives

Pros

  • Diverse selection of finance and business courses
  • MBA with concentration in Finance
  • Summer courses available

Cons

  • Larger school with 23:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Out-of-state tuition for non-residents

3. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Program Website

Not only is the University of Alabama at Birmingham one of the top public schools in the U.S., it also is one of the most popular and well-reviewed institutions of distance education. It offers an online MBA with a Finance concentration,

In this program, students explore a mix of business and finance topics. These include management strategies, modern technology, and foundational finance principles. Curriculum is a “decision-oriented degree” that bolsters the knowledge and skills of well-rounded leaders. 90% of the instructors hold doctoral degrees in their areas of expertise, and bring decades of experience to the online business classes. The program is kept up-to-date constantly to reflect the changes and developments in the industry.

Coursework Sample:

  • Accounting and Finance for Managers
  • Corporate Finance
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management

Pros

  • 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • AACSB-accredited
  • GMAT optional
  • Multiple degree concentrations
  • Ranked Top 10 for Diversity by The Princeton Review

Cons

  • Out-of-state tuition for non-residents

4. Touro University Worldwide

Program Website

The Touro University Worldwide accelerated online MBA in Finance takes as little as 12 months to complete for full-time students. Core curriculum develops strategic business concepts and sharpens the leadership skills of future executives, managers, and business visionaries.

The Finance concentration provides knowledge for students to qualify fo positions in financial consulting, private finance, public finance, and capital markets. This specialized coursework teaches students to solve budgetary issues and increase profitability across all platforms in any industry.

Coursework Sample:

  • Budgeting
  • Global Finance
  • Financial Strategies
  • Investments and Portfolios

Pros

  • 6 start dates throughout the year
  • 8-week sessions
  • Doctorate faculty, practitioners in the business world
  • No GMAT or GRE required
  • One year pathway for full-time students

Cons

  • Rigorous pacing

5. North Carolina State University

Program Website

NC State University offers an MBA in Financial Management students can earn online. It provides a broad-based and comprehensive approach to the discipline. Coursework approaches how to examine financial decisions with top corporations and the development of stable fiscal structures.

The foundational MBA curriculum includes a focus on research, technology, and business processes. Students engage in hands-on projects and gain real-world experience through programs such as the SunTrust Wolfpack Focus Fund. This is a $100,000 account at SunTrust Bank managed by NC State MBA students. The objective of this group is to obtain positive risk-adjusted returns.

Graduates exit the MBA in Financial Management with an impressive portfolio and an array of reliable networking connections through the Jenkins Graduate College of Management.

Coursework Sample:

  • Advanced Corporate Finance
  • Investment Theory and Practice
  • Taxes and Business Strategy

Pros

  • Diverse selection of courses and electives
  • Focus on investment banking and stock portfolio management
  • Hands-on projects and learning
  • Internship opportunities
  • Large and active alumni network

Cons

  • Practicum required
  • Out-of-state tuition for students outside North Carolina

6. Ball State University

Program Website

At Ball State University, the online MBA in Finance is a unique blend of coursework that enhances critical thinking skills and creativity in supporting financial management. It offers a broad perspective on the profession so that students have the understanding to fill various roles and titles in commercial banking, insurance, real estate, corporate finance, or financial planning.

Core coursework focuses on leadership enhancement and management decision-making. There are also many classes in global business. This gives students the leverage to pursue international positions of employment. You can complete the program as a part-time or full-time student, which provides added flexibility to an already leniently scheduled curriculum.

Coursework Sample:

  • Global Financial Policy
  • Insurance
  • Investment Management

Pros

  • 7 concentrations available
  • 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • AACSB-accredited
  • Full- or part-time pathways
  • Nationally ranked

Cons

  • More selective admissions process

7. Arizona State University

Program Website

The Finance emphasis in Arizona State University’s Master of Business Administration degree online includes diverse electives in critical areas of the discipline. Students engage in topics surrounding capital management and leading-edge financial theories while working closely with peers and faculty members who present information to the online learning space.

Core coursework is accelerated. Classes run for five-week terms. ASU appears in many catalogs of the best online programs in the country, and its traditional MBA degree has already appeared on rankings with Business-Management-Degree.net!

Coursework Sample:

  • International Finance
  • Investment Fundamentals
  • Mergers and Acquisitions

Pros

  • Case-based projects, hands-on learning
  • Concurrent degree options to enhance focus
  • Customized learning modules
  • Inclusive online environment
  • Take one course at a time for 5 weeks

Cons

  • Competitive admissions
  • Fast-paced, five-week courses

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Program Website

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s online MBA in Finance is one of the most well-reputed programs of its kind. Coursework is optimized for working professionals who are ready to take their careers to the next level in capital management.

Coursework sharpens the skills necessary to sit for the CPA or CMA examinations. Students have their pick of exciting electives to distinguish their degree even further. The Kenan-Flagler Business School is highly regarded among colleges and universities in this field.

Many of its graduates now work for companies such as Goldman Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and other impressive businesses.

Coursework Sample:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis
  • Capital Markets

Pros

  • Diverse selection of courses and electives
  • Esteemed faculty
  • Preparation for finance certifications and licensures
  • Well-known and recognized program

Cons

  • Fast-paced and rigorous curriculum
  • Highly competitive program

9. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Program Website

The coursework in the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s online MBA in Finance has an emphasis on the management of vast sums of money for private individuals, firms, and corporations. Students learn to work in Cash Management, Insurance, and Investments, and the program. The program suits students pursuing a career in corporate finance, investment banking, venture capital, or consulting.

One of the features of this online school that sets it apart from others is the Flex Focus courses, which are optional classes in Business Intelligence, Data Management for Business Leaders, Six Sigma for Management, and other high-profile financial management topics. According to Financial Times, the UMass Amherst online finance MBA is in the top five in the nation.

Coursework Sample:

  • Corporate Real Estate
  • Investments Decisions and Strategies
  • Private Wealth Management

Pros

  • 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Academic advising and career coaching
  • Diverse selection of electives
  • Flex focus courses
  • Top-ranked program

Cons

  • Admission application fee (later reimbursed)
  • Limited number of transfer credits accepted

10. Johns Hopkins University

Program Website

The online MBA degree from Johns Hopkins University includes a distinctive specialization in Financial Business that is intended for working professionals who have experience in public, private, or governmental sectors.

Coursework takes current skills and knowledge and enhances concepts in business leadership as they apply to the management and growth of finances. Experiential learning programs are built into the curriculum so that students fully grasp the business concepts and finance theories handed down to them by expert faculty members. The success of this excellent program can be measured in the results of its graduates.

Coursework Sample:

  • Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Emerging Markets
  • Financial Crises and Contagion

Pros

  • 8 in-demand specializations, including financial management
  • Fully online with no campus visits
  • GMAT or GRE not required
  • Part-time pathways
  • Prestigious and ranked institution

Cons

  • Highly competitive admissions
  • More expensive than other programs

Other Online MBA in Finance Degrees

Not all online MBA in Finance programs made our top 10 list. But here are some quality, accredited programs we also considered.

  • Drexel University
  • Lehigh University
  • Northeastern University
  • Penn State World Campus
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Maryland

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an online MBA in Finance take?

It depends on the program, but you can get an online MBA in Finance in less than two years when studying full-time. Some accelerated programs take as little as 12 months, while others offer a more flexible schedule for students who prefer a longer duration. The average time it takes for an online MBA in Finance is 1.5 years.

Is an online MBA in Finance worth it?

An online MBA in Finance is worth it if it’s from a reputable college or university with AACSB accreditation, offers specialized finance courses, and provides networking opportunities. Things to consider when choosing an online MBA include your career goals, the program’s alumni success, and employer perceptions. If these things line up, an online MBA in Finance is worth it, and can provide a good return on investment.

Is an online MBA in Finance taken seriously?

The credibility of an online MBA in Finance depends on factors like the program’s accreditation, reputation or rankings, and faculty. Many reputable schools offer online MBAs with Finance concentrations, and employers increasingly recognize their legitimacy.

How much can I make with an online MBA in Finance?

The money you can make with an online MBA in Finance depends on the job you take. Certain careers offer higher salaries. Here are a few job titles and their average pay, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• General and Operations Managers: $122,860/year
• Personal Financial Advisors: $95,390/year
• Risk or Financial Managers: $139,790/year
• Top or Chief Executives: $189,520/year

Is getting an MBA in Finance hard?

Some students report that getting an MBA in Finance is challenging due to the rigorous curriculum covering complex financial concepts, strategic decision-making, and quantitative analysis. It’s these courses that give students the most trouble. The degree requires dedication, time management, and a strong academic foundation.

How much does an online MBA in Finance cost?

The cost of an online MBA in Finance varies widely, ranging from $10,000 to over $100,000. Factors that influence costs include the institution’s reputation, program duration, and delivery method. Public universities can offer more affordable options, while prestigious private colleges can have higher tuition fees. Financial aid and scholarships can help offset expenses.

What can an online MBA in Finance get you?

There are many different jobs in business and finance you can qualify for with an online MBA in Finance. Here are a few job titles to consider once you get your degree.

• Business Operations Manager
• Healthcare Administrator
• Investment Banker
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Top Senior Executive

Rowan Jones
Chief Editor