Best Free & Low-Cost Finance Degrees 2025

Wise monetary decision-making is one of the core fundamentals of corporate finance, but it's also true of personal finance. Finding low-cost finance degree programs can help you become a finance professional. However, learners need to be careful when reviewing their options.

Multiple tuition-free and affordable online bachelor's in finance programs are available, but nearly all accredited degrees will have associated costs.

Is It Possible To Earn a Finance Degree for Free?

Finance degrees can be free with the right combination of financial aid or other programs, but accredited degree programs almost always have some costs.

Accreditation is the most important part of earning a degree, especially in finance. When a school is accredited, employers and graduate schools can be assured that your curriculum covers all the relevant information that a finance degree needs.

Despite what the name suggests, tuition-free online degree programs aren't entirely free. These schools often charge examination fees, which add up throughout your degree program, even if they are more affordable than schools charging standard tuition rates.

How Can I Learn Finance for Free?

Enrollment in free online finance courses can help you expand your knowledge of financial frameworks and forecasting. Several companies and top universities offer free online courses through platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and EDX.

These interactive courses focus on single topics and use a combination of hands-on tutorials and examinations spread out over different modules to go into depth about the topic, much like a singular college course. Some of the typical free online finance courses available to students include:

• capital budgeting and financial planning
• financial analysis
• financial accounting
• financial literacy, such as interpreting financial statements
• data analytics (e.g., stock market and financial markets)
• risk management and financial management
• behavioral finance
• financial decision-making
• understanding fintech programs

These programs can often be audited for free, but this option usually doesn't result in a certificate or similar credential. Even programs that provide certification aren't typically viewed by employers in the same way as a business degree. Students should compare the benefits of earning a finance degree with these free offerings to decide.

Financial advisors also take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) examinations for additional credentials. These exams have unique requirements, and not all degree programs will qualify. If you plan to take one of these exams, choose a compatible degree program.

Top 10 Affordable Online Finance Degrees

Online learning has made it easier for students to study different financial specializations. These specializations can lead to specific careers like a financial analyst or a certified financial manager.

There are multiple tiers of careers in finance, and some require different degrees. Some entry-level positions only require a bachelor's degree, while others require a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science in finance.

Learn more: How To Get Into Finance

Several universities offer programs to help you earn the skills you need to get into finance without spending too much on tuition. We've listed some examples below.

1. University of Houston Downtown

The University of Houston Downton offers a fully online Bachelor of Business Administration in finance that can prepare graduates to work as finance managers or continue to graduate school to complete an MBA.

Students will also graduate with the qualifications required to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) examinations.

2. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global offers undergraduate and graduate finance degrees that prepare students to work as advisors to help individuals and organizations reach their financial goals and make business decisions.

This accelerated bachelor's degree program can prepare you for your CFP exam. CSUG offers multiple support options like virtual tutoring, a digital library, and more to ensure you achieve your educational goals.

3. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers a bachelor's degree that uses simulations and lessons to help students apply their learning to real-world scenarios. Finance is a math-heavy field, but you can reduce the number of math credits you need to complete at SNHU.

Their Pathways to Math Success assessments allow you to test out of math courses and receive credit. Not only can this speed up your graduation timeline, but you can also save money with $50 assessments replacing full classes.

4. Florida International University

Florida International University offers a finance program with solid fundamentals and principles associated with financial planning, financial technology (fintech), data science, and more. This program is flexible as it allows students to start their careers right after graduation or continue their education at FIU in a graduate program.

5. Bellevue University

Bellevue University offers an undergraduate degree program that teaches multiple skills related to the modern field of finance. This program also includes the ability to choose focuses on financial counseling, working with individuals, or international commerce.

Understanding international finance can prepare graduates for work with multinational companies and organizations.

6. University of Massachusetts Amherst

In addition to their online bachelor's degree, the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers master's and doctorate degrees in finance. UMass Amherst trains students by focusing on technical knowledge with case studies from real-world events. This method helps students learn the fundamentals of finance and their applications.

7. American Public University

The American Public University offers bachelor's degrees in accounting and entrepreneurship principles that can be used as undergraduate degrees for an MBA in finance. Combining finance training with these other courses can expand a student's learning to make them a better candidate in the eyes of some employers.

8. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a finance degree program through its Collat School of Business. This program combines theory and practice to prepare graduates for real-world success.

In addition to its finance program, UAB has multiple other business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the most prestigious accrediting body for business schools.

9. University of Wyoming

The accounting and finance department at the University of Wyoming offers multiple undergraduate and graduate degree programs and graduate certifications. The school also offers several finance and energy-related specializations, providing unique skills and insight that financial advisors need for this industry.

10. Indiana State University

Indiana State University offers a Bachelor of Science in finance degree program online and on campus. This program focuses on hands-on training to make sure that the lessons being learned in the classroom can easily be applied to real situations.