10 Affordable Online Master's in Finance Degrees 2025

You can jumpstart a new corporate finance career by going to school to study the subject fully online. These programs can lead to promising roles in accounting, risk management, or gaining expertise in emerging financial markets. This article will introduce you to several options for earning an online master's in finance without spending over $30,000 to do so.

What Is an Online Master's in Finance Degree?

Many future financial professionals earn a master's in finance online while working full-time in other roles. A finance degree requires students to master sophisticated concepts like real-estate valuation, forecasting derivatives, portfolio management, managing financial risk, mergers and acquisitions, and understanding capital structures for entire businesses.

By learning these topics through online coursework, you can prepare for several rewarding careers in financial planning. The most common graduate degree in this field is the Master of Science (MS) in finance.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree in Finance Cost?

Online graduate programs may cost less than $20,000 in total tuition, whereas some of the prestigious on-campus degree programs could cost over $50,000. You can avoid the higher tuition rates and still enjoy high-quality instruction from reputable faculty members by earning an online Master of Science. These programs still feature various finance courses, which teach real-world financial analysis skills.

Cheapest Online Master's in Finance Programs

The schools listed are among the most affordable online colleges for obtaining an MS in finance through convenient online programs. This section includes information on financial aid, academic accreditation, and typical enrollment costs.

1. University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming offers an MS in finance with either fully online or hybrid learning options. The tuition is very affordable for in-state residents, but even out-of-state applicants pay less than $1,000 per credit hour.

• Estimated tuition cost: $398 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This flagship school in Wyoming invites you to learn more about financial aid and admissions by checking out its ''request info'' button to get more information on scholarship funding.
• Accreditation: Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

2. University of Colorado - Denver

The University of Colorado - Denver has a master's in finance program with three start dates: fall, summer, or spring. It allows full-time or part-time study for a degree program with 30 credit hours, all available online. Students can specialize in either commodities, risk management and insurance, or general finance.

• Estimated tuition cost: $464 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university has several scholarship opportunities based on degree program, community involvement, special talents, and other factors.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. Liberty University

Liberty University's master's in finance degree teaches students the fundamentals of financial investment for both individuals and organizations. Its online courses feature instructors with in-depth field experience and advanced academic credentials.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Military veterans pay only $290 per credit hour, while all students are eligible for grants, loans, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Auburn University

Auburn University offers a master's degree in finance along with graduate certificates and a dual-degree option where students can combine the MS degree with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). All classes are fully online, including topics like financial analysis, cost analysis, real-estate financing, and global financial markets.

• Estimated tuition cost: $594 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The university mentions several forms of financial aid, such as federal work study, loans, student emergency funds, and veteran benefits.
• Accreditation: AACSB

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a graduate degree in finance, which requires 12 online courses taken in 10-week sessions. This program prepares students for advanced certifications in finance, making this a solid option for mid-career professionals who wish to move into more lucrative roles in corporate finance.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: SNHU welcomes students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for various financial aid packages.
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

6. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati's MS in finance program offers hands-on exposure to major financial topics in today's business environment. You can also earn this degree along with an MBA through the university's dual-degree option.

The GMAT/GRE is optional, but incoming students must possess at least a 3.0 GPA and meet the application deadline for program admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $667 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university's website explains ways to receive federal financial aid (Title IV), aid limits, and how to apply for funding.
• Accreditation: AACSB

7. CSU Global

CSU Global's online master's degree program features over 15 financial management specializations. The coursework prepares students for what to expect in future roles as investment fund managers, budget analysts, fraud examiners, financial managers, and other rewarding career opportunities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $675 per credit hour
• Financial aid: CSU Global has tuition discounts for military veterans and participates in employer tuition remission programs with its corporate partners.
• Accreditation: ACBSP

8. UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell's MS in Finance degree takes only 18 months to complete, the courses are 100% online, and you do not have to take the GRE/GMAT for admissions. If you utilize transfer credits, then you may get the total tuition costs below $20,000.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You can reduce those costs further by applying for grants and institutional scholarships.
• Accreditation: AACSB

9. Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) has a fully online and fast-paced opportunity to finish a finance degree in as little as 12 months. Some students enter this program to learn the more technical aspects of financial management, taking courses in FinTech, big data, and computer coding with programs like Python.

• Estimated tuition cost: $833.33 per credit hour
• Financial aid: FIU offers monthly information webinars on financial aid, which you can register for free anytime.
• Accreditation: AACSB

10. University of Houston

The University of Houston's online MS in finance degree has a heavy focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), making this a viable academic path for students with strong quantitative skills. Incoming students can specialize in areas like real-estate finance, energy finance, investments and portfolio management, or quantitative finance.

• Estimated tuition cost: $866.09 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The university's financial aid site mentions multiple graduate student funding resources, including fellowships, scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

We use three important criteria for ranking the schools on this list. These include academic accreditation, affordable tuition, and a strong program reputation.

• Accreditation: Schools must receive accreditation from a well-known auditing firm, such as AACSB.
• Affordability: This list includes online MS programs that charge less than $1,000 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: Each school of business maintains a solid reputation among its academic peers and with financial firms in the business environment.

What To Expect From an Online Master's in Finance Degree

Online finance degrees provide plenty of core courses and electives in essential topics such as financial modeling, financial decision making, funding allocation, financial statement analysis, investment management, real-estate valuation, and other elements of wealth management or financial services.

Most master's programs last about two years, require 30 to 48 credit hours, and offer specializations in accounting, portfolio management, and corporate finance.

FAQs About the Best Master's in Finance Programs

Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) from students researching finance schools or career paths in the financial industry.

Is an Online Master's in Finance Worth It?

Yes, it is quite worth it as long as you can handle a very detailed and quantitative subject. Finance professionals enjoy high salaries and are in high demand from private firms of all sizes, along with government agencies and nonprofit institutions.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Master's in Finance?

There are plenty of master's in finance jobs awaiting you upon graduation. This includes roles like certified financial advisor, chartered financial analyst (CFA), data scientist, financial consultant, investment analyst, investment banker, and several other important positions at billion-dollar financial institutions.

Will an Online Finance Master's Program Prepare Me for the CFA Exam?

Yes, many of these master's programs design the finance curriculum to prepare students to sit for the CFA exam. This is one of the most difficult licensing exams, where only 40% to 45% of test takers pass it on the first try. You will need a strong academic background and lots of preparation to receive either a Level 1 or Level 2 certification in this field.

How Does an MBA vs a Master's in Finance Differ?

An MBA focuses on a more holistic study of business, where you approach every aspect of business management, including marketing and human resources. While some MBA students earn a concentration in finance, the master's in finance focuses exclusively on the field, requiring students to take on more specific specializations within it.

What Is the Average Master's in Finance Salary?

If we consider a career like ''financial analyst'' (which often requires a master's), then the average annual salary is just over $100,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is one of many mid-career salary estimates that exceed six figures for credentialed financial professionals.

Discover Online Finance Degrees

We welcome you to learn more about online finance degrees and online programs in other academic fields by checking out other articles on this website. Learn.org has volumes of information on accredited online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral programs, and other graduate certificates.