A finance degree can lead to high-paying careers. In fact, financial analysts and personal financial advisors earn a median annual salary in the six figures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
As a finance major, you'll explore investment strategies, risk mitigation, and financial decision-making. Earning a bachelor's in finance degree online can give you the flexibility to advance your education and increase your earning potential while working.
Our guide to the best online bachelor's in finance programs can help you find the right fit for your budget, schedule, and career goals.
Popular Online Finance Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Finance Programs
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in Finance?
A bachelor's in finance prepares graduates for careers in financial services, business, government, and many other sectors. Many work in analyst or financial planning roles, applying their analytical and forecasting skills. Finance majors can specialize in areas such as portfolio management, risk management, compliance, or financial management.
Finance majors can specialize in areas such as portfolio management, risk management, compliance, or financial management.
Professional experience or a master's degree can help finance majors advance their careers. Common graduate paths include a master's in finance or an MBA in finance. Advanced roles, such as financial managers, have a significantly higher earning potential.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Finance Degree?
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts evaluate financial data and recommend investment strategies. In corporate settings, they assess economic trends to help companies increase profits. They also research investment performance and trends to forecast economic conditions. These roles require a bachelor's degree.
Job Outlook (2024-2034): +6%
Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $101,910
Source: BLS
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts evaluate spending and prepare reports to help organizations manage their finances. They evaluate budget proposals to ensure they align with organizational goals and comply with financial regulations. Budget analysts may also forecast future financial needs and assess their organization's financial health. They work in both public and private settings.
Job Outlook (2023-33): +1%
Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $87,930
Source: BLS
Financial Planner
Financial planners advise clients on saving and investment strategies. They recommend investments, educate clients on financial services and savings vehicles, and often help implement the investment plan. Planners may specialize in estate planning, taxation, retirement, or another area.
Job Outlook (2023-33): +10%
Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $102,140
Source: BLS
Financial Examiner
Financial examiners evaluate financial documents to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. They review balance sheets, loan reports, and other documents from banks and financial institutions to assess their financial health and safety. Financial examiners may also enforce compliance guidelines set by regulatory authorities. They typically focus on risk assessment or consumer compliance.
Job Outlook (2023-33): +19%
Median Annual Salary (May 2024): $90,400
Source: BLS
How Much Do Finance Bachelor's Programs Cost?
Public colleges charged an average of $9,800 in tuition and fees for the 2022-23 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, while private colleges cost $40,700. However, costs can vary significantly depending on the school.
Earning a finance degree online can also help lower costs. Online programs may offer flat tuition rates for distance learners regardless of their residency.
How to Get a Finance Degree
Before declaring a finance major, prospective students need to get into college. While the admission requirements and process vary depending on the school, most require:
A high school diploma or the equivalent
High school transcripts
College transcripts
A minimum 2.0 GPA
Personal statement
Colleges also typically ask for letters of recommendation, a resume, and an admission essay. SAT or ACT scores are typically optional. Applicants can strengthen their admission chances by submitting a strong personal statement and emphasizing extracurricular experience.
After gaining admission, undergrads may need to take finance and business prerequisites to declare a finance major.
After gaining admission, undergrads may need to take finance and business prerequisites to declare a finance major.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Finance Degree?
Earning a bachelor's degree in finance generally takes four years for full-time students. Undergraduates must complete a minimum of 120 credits or 180 quarter credits to graduate. In addition to finance and business classes, students must also complete general education requirements and electives. They can also add a minor to complement their major.
Finance majors can speed up the timeline by enrolling in an accelerated program or applying transfer credits toward graduation requirements.
How to Choose a Finance Program
What's the best way to choose a finance program? Researching key topics, from total cost to course requirements, can help you find the right fit for you. First, consider the school's academic track record. Look for high retention rates and graduation rates to identify colleges that perform well and support students.
Next, review the program's course requirements and internship opportunities. Make sure that the program's concentrations or electives match your interests. Reach out to programs to learn where graduates find job opportunities, recent graduate employment rates, and placements in graduate programs.
Finally, consider factors such as the location, career services support, alumni network, and school size to make sure the school aligns with your professional goals.
Is It Accredited?
Students should choose an accredited college to earn their degree. Accredited institutions meet standards for academic quality, and enrolled students qualify to apply for federal financial aid. An accredited degree also meets the requirements for more professional certifications and licenses. Employers also prefer hiring graduates from accredited schools.
Prospective students can also look for business schools that hold programmatic accreditation. Independent organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs evaluate business schools and grant accreditation to programs that meet industry standards. These programs also report strong student learning outcomes and faculty qualifications.
Those earning a finance degree online can also check whether the school holds state authorization to award degrees in their state.
What Are Finance Concentrations?
Many finance programs offer concentrations to strengthen specialized skills. A concentration can prepare graduates for focused career paths. Even programs that do not offer concentrations often let majors customize their studies through electives.
Some common finance concentrations include:
Corporate Finance
Financial Planning
FinTech
Real Estate
Financial Management
Most finance programs award a BA or BS degree, and some may offer a BBA in finance. When researching programs, review the general education requirements, which can differ depending on the degree type.
What Are Its Courses?
Finance students may complete core courses, electives, internships, and capstone projects as part of their major. They also typically complete core business classes to strengthen accounting, management, and business analytics skills. While the curriculum depends on the program, many offer the following courses.
Corporate Finance: Students evaluate corporate financial decision-making and investment strategies. Topics may include capital budgeting, financial modeling, mergers and acquisitions, and capital financing. The class also applies risk management principles to corporate investing and financial management. Finance majors interested in becoming financial analysts or financial examiners may benefit from the course.
Risk Management: Learners analyze different tools and strategies to quantify and manage risk. The course covers asset allocation models, portfolio management, and evaluation methods for assessing risk. Students develop investment management and risk management skills to optimize returns and mitigate risk.
Portfolio Management: Majors learn how to manage an investment portfolio that contains stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments. By focusing on evaluating and selecting assets, the course trains finance professionals to implement diversification strategies. These skills help graduates manage balanced portfolios that maximize returns while minimizing risk.
Real Estate Finance: Courses in real estate finance introduce learners to real estate transactions and regulations. Students explore credit instruments, international real estate, and funding sources.
What Is the Format of the Program?
Colleges and universities offer finance degrees in several formats. In-person programs follow a traditional learning approach where students attend on-campus lectures. Degree-seekers can also consider earning a finance degree online.
Online finance programs offer flexible schedules, making this option ideal for working students with busy schedules.
100% Online: All courses in the program meet virtually, with no required on-campus meetings. However, finance students may complete in-person internships in their local area.
Hybrid: Students take both online and in-person classes to earn their finance degree. Depending on the school, undergraduates may take mostly online or mostly in-person courses.
Synchronous: A synchronous class meets at a set time, using video conferencing technology to encourage interactions between classmates and faculty.
Asynchronous: An asynchronous class does not require live class sessions, giving distance learners the greatest flexibility when completing course requirements.
Prospective online learners can choose a format that best matches their learning style and schedule.
Common Questions About Finance Degrees Online
Yes, you can earn a finance degree online. Many accredited colleges and universities offer online finance degrees, including top-ranked institutions that offer identical programs in an online and in-person format.
