An online Masters in Finance degree could be just the thing you need to attain the absolute pinnacle of your career, such as Chief Financial Officer. A graduate degree such as a Master of Science in Finance or a Master of Business Administration in Finance will set you apart from the competition and show companies that you are dedicated to your profession and your education, and that you have all of the most relevant information fresh in your mind. Earn an online degree from one of these fabulous distance education institutions and take your finance or accounting degree to the next level!
QUICK LINKS
- Best Online Schools for Master’s in Finance
- WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
- PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL
- SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
- COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
- MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
- TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
- BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
- WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN
- LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
- PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS
- AUBURN UNIVERSITY
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
- BOSTON UNIVERSITY
- GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- Frequently Asked Questions
- IS A MS IN FINANCE WORTH IT?
- WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN MS IN FINANCE?
- IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MASTER’S IN FINANCE AND A MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING?
- WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK THE SAME HOURS AND STILL COMPLETE ONE OF THESE ONLINE FINANCE DEGREES?
- WILL EARNING A MASTER’S IN FINANCE INCREASE MY SALARY AND JOB SECURITY?
- DO THESE PROGRAMS ALLOW ME TO WORK INTERNATIONALLY?
- ARE THERE PREREQUISITES FOR A MASTERS IN FINANCE?
Online schools for Finance are available at ALL levels:
- Best Online Schools for ASSOCIATES in Finance Degrees
- Top 10 Online BACHELOR of Finance Degree Programs
- 3 Best Online Schools for DOCTOR of Finance Programs
Best Online School for Master’s in Finance
METHODOLOGY: OnlineSchoolsCenter.com chose the very best online masters in finance schools for graduate degree programs according to specific criteria, which included:
- A graduate degree in finance, accounting, or an equivalent specialization,
- High-quality graduate-level coursework in finance, both general and specialized,
- Online accessibility with little to no restrictions,
- Retention rates no lower than 50%,
- Access to excellent and well-qualified faculty members in disciplines related to business, accounting, or finance,
- Flexible scheduling for working adult learners,
- Displays proper Accreditation,
- The breadth of coursework that draws from multiple relevant departments in a business,
- And an education that gives students more than just classroom experiences.
We believe that any of these top 10 master in finance programs in the world will provide topnotch graduate education with a high return on investment. According to PayScale, a person with a Master of Finance (MFin) degree earns an average salary of $79,543 per year. For an entry-level financial analyst, the average salary is $63,000 per year and $152,000 annually for a chief financial officer.
For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.
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WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
best ONLINE FINANCE master’s DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Webster University students can take the Master of Science in Finance online, or they can also earn a Master of Business Administration Dual Degree with little additional required credit hours. The Finance coursework provides both comprehensive and quantitative examinations of accounting and finance in reference to corporate finance, investments, institutions, and markets. The rigorous curriculum coupled with credentialed professors and exceptional student support services make it the best online masters in finance. There is a significant emphasis surrounding mergers and acquisitions in the Webster University online program, and graduates are ready to sit for both the CFA or the CFP examinations. Students can also major in the online Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Corporate Finance.
Campus Location: St. Louis, MO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Program Options:
- Master of Science in Finance
- Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Corporate Finance
- Dual Degree Option: MBA/MS Finance
Acceptance Rate: 53.6%
Retention Rate: 79
Graduation Rate: 61.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WEBSTER UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAM
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PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL
ONLINE MS DEGREE IN FINANCE
Program Standouts:
The Purdue University Global online Master in Finance is designed to allow students to pass both the Certified Financial Analyzer or the Certified Financial Planner examination, depending on their specialization of choice. Graduates of the world-class online masters in finance are known to find viable employment within a year after completion. Courses at Purdue Global are over 6-week accelerated terms and tuition is only $485 per credit hour, making this one of the quickest and most cost-effective online degree programs on this list! The multiple start dates scheduled throughout the year give applicants just as much flexibility in planning their initiation to the program as there is in the program itself. The coursework is kept consistently up-to-date with all of the most relevant financial analysis and planning innovations so that students receive a high-quality education, as well as a quick and affordable one.
Campus Location: West Lafayette, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Concentration Options:
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Planning
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 33%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL’S ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN FINANCE
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SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
ONLINE master of FINANCIAL management distance education
Program Standouts:
The Saint Joseph’s University online Master of Science in Financial Services program is one of the only online degrees of this kind that is certified by the Center for Financial Planning. The curriculum is diverse and robust enough that it has earned the recognition of some of the strictest credentialing organizations in the field. This program allows students to customize their plan of study in a way that meets their specific academic needs and professional goals. The coursework will enhance skills in financial analysis and professional planning.
Graduates are prepared to obtain positions in corporate finance and other high-level areas of employment, a proof that it’s among the best masters in finance programs. Saint Joseph’s University graduate outcome emphasizes both the academic preparation and real-world exposure.
Campus Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Center for Finical Planning.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Tax Planning for Management Decision-Making
- Financial Institutions and Capital Markets
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Acceptance Rate: 77.2%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 78.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE FINANCIAL SERVICES MASTER’S DEGREE
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
best ONLINE masters degree programs in finance
Program Standouts:
Graduate students of Finance should be particularly excited about the University of Miami online because of the four unique opportunities it offers to earn varying master’s degrees in business and finance. Students who have completed their graduate coursework with the University of Miami Online have gone on to work for companies such as Citibank, Kellogg, Boeing, JP Morgan, and others. The two certificate options will set students apart from competitors in the field significantly, as will the excellent networking opportunities available at UM. Networking opportunities are crucial in career development and, thus, it’s considered as a hallmark of the best online finance masters degree programs. Students only have the most extraordinary things to say about their alma mater, which is reflected in the outstanding retention rate listed below, a sign of student satisfaction.
Campus Location: Miami, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Program Options:
- MS in Finance with a Certificate in Corporate Finance
- MS in Finance with a Certificate in Financial Decision Making
- MBA with Corporate Finance Focus
- MBA with Financial Decision Making Focus
Acceptance Rate: 35.7%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 81.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI’S ONLINE FINANCE GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
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COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE IN FINANCE
Program Standouts:
The goal of the CSU-Global Campus’ online Master’s Degree in Finance is to enhance crucial areas of accounting and finance, such as financial management, investment, capital market analysis, applied research, and quantitative skills. The Master’s Plus program is available for students who earned lower than a 3.0-grade point average in the undergraduate coursework and is an additional nine credit hours of coursework. Such openness toward average students makes it among the more popular online masters degree in finance programs, even among out-of-state students. Colorado State University – Global Campus’ master’s in finance degree program has received glowing recognition from academic resources and accrediting agencies for its fantastic achievements in graduate-level finance education. Students engage in real-world projects that have impacts on real businesses, which are invaluable opportunities to work and network with other professionals.
Campus Location: Greenwood Village, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Sampling of Coursework:
- Effective Organizations—Theory and Practice
- Bank Management
- Financial Markets and Institutions
Acceptance Rate: Unavailable
Retention Rate: Unavailable
Graduation Rate: Unavailable
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS’ ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE IN FINANCE
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MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
ONLINE FINANCE MBA PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
This online school’s Masters of Business Administration in Finance program hosts classes entirely online and at night to work around busy schedules as a whole. Coursework covers theoretical and practical concepts in both business administration and finance and is a well-rounded approach to the discipline, which can be seen reflected in the sampling of Finance Concentration courses listed below. There are various formats through which to complete this program that matches every student’s needs in online, hybrid, and face-to-face platforms. The wide range of choices makes it among the online masters in finance programs that appeal to diverse cohorts, from new graduates of bachelor’s degree programs to working professionals. Graduates have exited this degree an go on to work as credit and cash managers, controllers, finance offers, and insurance managers.
Campus Location: Clinton, MS
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
Sampling of Coursework:
- Financial Management
- Quantitative Management
- Policy Formulation and Administration
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 52.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE’S ONLINE FINANCE MBA PROGRAM
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TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
ONLINE EMBA IN ENERGY FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Texas Southern University has an incredibly unique online Executive MBA Program in Energy Finance. The curriculum is designed for professionals to excel in the accounting and finance departments of the energy sector. This is a cohort-based degree program, wherein students work closely with their classmates and take on the workload of the program as a team and therefore further establish skills in leadership and teamwork. The coursework also includes topics in general management and business administration, of course, which makes obtaining positions of management over entire energy-based organizations, such as Chief Financial Officer, much more possible. The emphasis on collaborative teamwork and individual achievements, a rigorous curriculum and hands-on instruction, and academic prestige is among the reasons for it being one of the top online MS finance programs.
Campus Location: Houston, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Financial and Economic Analysis
- Global Strategic Management
- Energy Finance Valuation and Modeling
Acceptance Rate: 66.7%
Retention Rate: 54%
Graduation Rate: 17.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE EMBA IN ENERGY FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAM
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BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE ms IN FINANCE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Many schools offering finance online masters degree programs have curricula and courses that closely resemble their competitors’ programs. Not so with Bellevue University since it provides an online Masters in Finance program that includes more concentration options than any other school on this ranking.
Some of these specializations are incredibly unique and are offered at very few other institutions of higher education, either online or on-campus, such as that Global Economic Threat Environment Concentration. Bellevue University is often included on lists of the most affordable online degrees, and Master’s of Finance students $585 per credit hour, which is drastically less expensive than many other schools. The general curriculum offers a broad approach to the discipline and has emphases in corporate finance and banking, mergers and acquisitions, enterprise risk analysis, as well as some others. The concentration coursework is where students will receive more refined instruction in finance.
Campus Location: Bellevue, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Concentration Options:
- Accounting
- Acquisition and Contract Management
- Business Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Entrepreneurship
- Executive Coaching
- Finance
- Global Economic Threat Environment
- Healthcare
- Human Capital Management
- Human Resource Management
- Information Security Management
- Interdisciplinary Business
- Interdisciplinary
- International Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Project Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Tax
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 55%
Graduation Rate: 51.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE (MS) MASTER’S IN FINANCE PROGRAM
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WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
ONLINE Ms IN FINANCE AND ECONOMICS
Program Standouts:
At West Texas A&M University, online masters degree in finance and economics students can send in their résumé and transcripts and have the Engler College of Business create a personalized plan of study based on their experience and interests. The curriculum is broken down into seven key areas: Theory of Households and Firms, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, Asset Valuation, International, and Quantitative Analysis. In this way, students gain an extraordinary understanding of the various intricacies of both business and finance. The goals of the WTAMU program are to educate graduate students in critical thinking, business environments, and finance and economic integration.
Campus Location: Canyon, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Sampling of Coursework:
- Corporate Governance and Ethics
- Financial Management of Health Care
- International Finance
Acceptance Rate: 61.4%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 38.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE AND ECONOMICS
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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN
MBA IN FINANCE ONLINE
Program Standouts:
The main goal of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin online Master of Business Administration in Finance is to enhance students’ pursuits, portfolio, and management readiness. The student-centric approach to learning is among the reasons for its perennial inclusion in lists of the best online finance master’s degree programs. After all, when students actually learn practical knowledge, then the school is on the right track!
The curriculum explores complex topics such as managerial accounting, investments, and accounting analysis. UTPB is committed to making graduate professionals marketable in a competitive field, and students learn from dedicated business professionals who can point their careers in the direction of their choosing. Because this program is an MBA with a specialization in Finance, students gain invaluable information from the business administration courses, as well, which teach them to operate in positions of responsibility outside of finance.
Campus Location: Odessa, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Accounting Analysis
- Production and Operations Management
- Information Systems Management
Acceptance Rate: 89.5%
Retention Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 55.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN’S MBA IN FINANCE ONLINE
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LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
ONLINE MS IN FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
The Loyola University Chicago online Master of Science in Finance offers distance education students specialized knowledge in the following areas: financial securities, investment criteria, financial markets, hedging strategies, risk metrics, and capital budgeting techniques, which are the main emphases of the program. Loyola University Chicago maintains corporate partnerships with impressive companies that help guide students toward bigger and better positions of employment. Graduates of this program are prepared to advance their titles to those such as corporate treasurer, investment banker, and a large nonprofit manager. In fact, some companies at which LUC grads no work include Fifth Third Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs.
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- Corporate Finance
- Asset Management
- Risk Management
Acceptance Rate: 70.6%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 73%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO’S ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAM
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FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MBA FINANCE CONCENTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
Fort Hays State University is a well-known online school that provides high-quality and affordable distance education programs, such as their outstanding online MBA in Finance. This curriculum prepares graduate students for leadership roles in their current place of work, or in bigger and better ventures. The focus on leadership skills makes FHSU one of the best schools for a masters in finance since leaders are valued in all industries. The coursework is sufficient for careers in both the private and public sectors. Some of the main topics in this online Finance degree program include financial problem analysis, financial decision-making, and economic forecast. Tuition rates at FHSU are some of the lowest in the country, and MBA students pay only $400 per credit hour, which is virtually unbeatable.
Campus Location: Hays, KS
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Money and Banking
- Financial Institutions
- International Finance
Acceptance Rate: 88.6%
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 73.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MBA FINANCE CONCENTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM
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PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS
Best ONLINE FINANCE masters degree
Program Standouts:
There’s no doubt about it – Penn State has the best online masters degree programs in finance in the country, and it isn’t just our opinion either. This online Master of Finance is a “Nationally Recognized Graduate Program” by U.S. News and World Report, and Penn State World Campus is one of the most prominent purveyors of distance education degrees in the industry. The online graduate program in Finance attends to the growing needs of the field as it becomes more complex and technologically dependent. Students gain an education that enhances a general understanding of accounting and business finances, as well as more advanced strategies and techniques in management and financial theory. Graduates are prepared to sit for any accounting-related certification examination, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst exam.
Campus Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Sampling of Coursework:
- Financial Accounting Theory and Reporting Problems
- Current Issues in Corporate Finance
- Multinational Managerial Finance
Acceptance Rate: 66.8%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 39.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS’ ONLINE MASTER OF FINANCE
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AUBURN UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MASTER’S IN FINANCE programs
Program Standouts:
Auburn University’s online Master of Science in Finance is designed to simulate every possible feature of the on-campus program. Distance education students experience the same classes and lectures from the same esteemed faculty members. But the Auburn masters in finance isn’t for the unprepared student! Students are required to have previous knowledge, experience, and education in accounting, business, or finance in order to be accepted to this online program. Once admitted, students must keep up with the challenging courses that prepare them for the dog-eat-dog world of finance. The curriculum provides a broad approach to global business markets and standard finance practices and principles for any environment. There is a heavy influence on career planning, and students work with the Graduate Career Services Department to advance their employment prospects and future goals.
Campus Location: Auburn, AL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Colleges and Schools of Business
Sampling of Coursework:
- Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring
- Multinational Financial Management
- Calculus with Business Applications
Acceptance Rate: 83.9%
Retention Rate: 92%
Graduation Rate: 73.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT AUBURN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER’S IN FINANCE
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INDIANA UNIVERSITY
ONLINE FINANCE MS GRADUATE DEGREE
Program Standouts:
At Indiana University, master of financial management distance education students engage in coursework that is designed to enhance technical skills in finance and accounting programs, as well as an understanding of modern strategic financing goals. The coursework teaches students how to manipulate finances internally and externally to reach such goals. At Indian University, online students can choose to enroll in the dual degree option, through which they earn an MBA alongside their Master’s in Finance. Doing so reduces the number of credits required for both degrees from 81 to 63, and also gives students the skill and credentials to fill high-level positions of management.
Campus Location: Bloomington, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Sampling of Coursework:
- Managing Accounting Information for Decision-Making
- Information Technology for Managers
- Asset Pricing and Security Valuation
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 77.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE FINANCE, MS GRADUATE DEGREE
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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
top ONLINE Ms FINANCE PROGRAMs
Program Standouts:
Students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell engage in intensive hands-on research projects that drastically enhance their understanding and manipulation of finances to meet their company’s goals for success. The specific intention of this program is to prepare students for positions of more significant leadership and responsibility in their place of business. Bachelor’s students will be interested in the exceptional opportunity to enroll in the UMass Lowell Bachelor’s to Master’s Program, through which students can earn both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in much less time through an intensive course of study. Graduates students can count on working directly with business partners of UMass Lowell in a business centered around finance, biotechnology, technology, and more!
Campus Location: Lowell, MA
Accreditation:
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Sampling of Coursework:
- Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
- International Financial management
- Accounting Information for Management Decisions
Acceptance Rate: 68.8%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 55.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL’S ONLINE MASTER IN FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAM
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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
ONLINE MASTER IN COMPUTATIONAL FINANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Program Standouts:
In the University of Washington’s unique online Master in Computational Finance and Risk Management, there is a strong emphasis on global outreach and flexibility. Students in this program work together in team-based projects that increase leadership capabilities. There are interactions between on-campus and online students, as well, which nurtures a different kind of communication and association, which can be pivotal in future business relationships. Despite the online format, students feel very in touch with their classmates and professors and value the various platforms through which they can communicate ideas and share workloads.
Plus, it’s one of the cheapest online masters in finance programs! This is because UW is a public research university with affordable tuition and financial aid programs. Graduate students are well-advised to look into these tuition reduction opportunities.
Campus Location: Seattle, WA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Financial Software Development and Integration with C++
- Risk in Financial Institutions
- Endowment and Institutional Investment Management
Acceptance Rate: 46.4%
Retention Rate: 94%
Graduation Rate: 84.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON’S ONLINE MASTER IN COMPUTATIONAL FINANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT
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NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
MS IN FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
This online Master’s in Finance is delivered through the renowned D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University and is intended for seasoned professionals in finance and business who want to advance their career into positions of greater responsibility and pay. The curriculum is kept consistently up-to-date according to the constant changes in the industry and teaches students to adapt to such changes. The program includes two concentration options, or students can choose to enroll in a dual degree with an MBA. There are six start dates in this program, which gives students ample time to prepare for this remarkable degree that is flexible, convenient, and provides support 24 hours a day.
Students may well be lucky enough to get a nearly free online masters in finance education, thanks to the affordable tuition and financial aid opportunities offered.
Campus Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation:
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Concentration Options:
- Corporate Finance
- Investment Finance
Acceptance Rate: 27.4%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 83.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY’S MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE ONLINE PROGRAM
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BOSTON UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEGREE
Program Standouts:
Boston University is an incredibly well-respected state school that provides a distinctive Master of Science in Financial Management, in that it includes two exciting specialization options. This program has been consistently ranked as one of the most exceptional online graduate business programs by some of the leading academic resources. The program uses an approach similar to an MBA, which gives students access to training in general management, as well as financial management. The International Finance concentration is intended for students and professionals who are working or have career goals in international corporations and global markets. The Investment Analysis concentration is more geared toward those in risk management, investment research, security selection, and the like.
Campus Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Concentration Options:
- International Finance
- Investment Analysis
Acceptance Rate: 25.1%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 85.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BOSTON UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEGREE
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GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MS IN FINANCE
Program Standouts:
The Georgetown University online masters in finance program was designed by some of the top business professionals and educators in the industry and provides a “world-class curriculum” that will transform any finance professional’s career. Georgetown University is one of the premier institutions of higher education in America, wherein students learn alongside some of the most respected faculty members in the world. Students in the Georgetown University online masters finance program take part in real-world projects that refine intensive critical decision-making skills, and ethical understanding of complex business and financial principles, and a global perspective. The online coursework is designed to match individual learning needs and professional schedules so that students can feel at ease in graduate-level education.
Campus Location: Washington, D.C.
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Sampling of Coursework:
- Corporate Valuation and Marketing
- Principled Finical Leadership
- Financial Econometrics
Acceptance Rate: 15.7%
Retention Rate: 96%
Graduation Rate: 93.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MS IN FINANCE
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Earning a Master’s in Finance, an MBA in Finance, or an equivalent degree is one of the most prudent decisions a business or accounting professional could make for their career. At one of these twenty online graduate schools, it is incredibly possible to earn a master’s degree while still committing time to work and family. Students can show their managers and employers that they are dedicated to their profession through continuing education and a desire to take on more responsibility and leadership. Many of these programs are also designed to help finance and accounting professionals pass applicable certification examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a MS in FinanceWorth It?
The quick answer to this question depends on your career goals. For example, if you are considering a career in commercial or investment banking, diving into the fields of corporate or entrepreneurial finance or even accounting, obtaining a master’s degree in finance either in person or in an online learning format, can certainly help you get your foot in the door so to speak towards cultivating the skills needed to make it successfully in these fields.
What can I do with an MS in Finance?
- Private Wealth Management – What does a Private Wealth Manager Do? This type of financial manager offers their expertise to investors by helping them to invest and manage their wealth in order to reach their individual goals. Services include:
- Financial planning
- Estate planning
- Investment advice and management
- Risk management
- Retirement planning
- Social Security benefits planning
- Tax services
- Philanthropic planning
- Charitable giving
- Commercial or Investment Banking – What does an Investment/Commercial Banker do? Is there a difference between the two? An Investment Banker typically aids with the purchasing and selling of stocks and bonds for businesses while a Commercial Banker deals with loans and deposits for both businesses and individuals.
- Corporate or Entrepreneurial Finance – What is the main difference between corporate and entrepreneurial finance? There is one fundamental difference between the two. According to Randolfe, in Entrepreneurial Finance, “investment decisions and financing decisions are the same thing. Corporations can sell financial claims in the market at market rates.”
- Accounting – Why would a Master’s in Finance help my accounting career? If you want to develop a technical skillset that will springboard your career in finance, then getting that MS in Finance would be a great career boost!
Is there a difference between a Master’s in Finance and a Master’s in Accounting?
A Finance degree is generally broader and wide-reaching, with classes in investments and money management, rather than an Accounting degree, which includes more focused coursework in auditing and taxation. Moreover, with a Master’s in Finance, you will be prepared to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst and the Certified Finance Professional exams, and with a Master’s in Accounting you will be ready to complete the Certified Professional Account exam or its equivalent. Finance graduates will work in banks, investment firms, financial analysis, etc.
Will I be able to work the same hours and still complete one of these online Finance degrees?
You will definitely be able to continue working in your current position. Whether you will be able to manage a part-time or full-time course-load alongside your daily work schedule is dependent on your stamina. You should most certainly carve out time for self-care and family time so it might be a good idea to notify your superiors that you are starting an online graduate program and that you might need to reduce your hours and work. But see what works for you! Every learner is different, and anyone of these online schools will work with you to the best of their abilities, as well.
Will earning a Master’s in Finance increase my salary and job security?
Absolutely. This is one of the most outstanding things that you could do for your salary and professional stance in a competitive job market. According to research data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for financial analysts and personal financial advisors is between 11-15% over the next 5-10 years, which is faster to much faster than average. Professionals with a master’s degree in Finance can easily earn over $100,000 per year, depending on their experience level, as well as their education. Financial Managers take in about $128,000 per year, according to the BLS, and have a job outlook of 19%. You will see a clear difference between your responsibilities and salary as a Master in Finance.
Do these programs allow me to work internationally?
Not every program on this list is geared toward global and international business markets, but nearly every degree includes at least one or two courses in the subject area. If you are looking for a program with a healthy global perspective, there are certainly some available above, but you will need to read the Program Standouts carefully to make sure that it is emphasized in the curriculum. Many of these degrees are intended to prepare graduates for certification exams in the United States.
Are there prerequisites for a Masters in Finance?
There are, indeed. Applicants to any one of these twenty online schools are expected to have some previous education, knowledge, and work experience in finance, business, or accounting. Almost every school has an array of courses that are required for admission. Some have programs that allow you to complete such courses prior to entering a Finance program, but you will have to be sure such opportunities are available before applying.
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