Affordable Online Finance Degrees in California 2025

Financial management skills are needed in the public and private sectors, from corporate decision-making to individual financial planning. To meet this need, you can earn an affordable finance degree online to prepare yourself for diverse career paths, including financial analysts, personal financial advisors, and budget analysts.

Low-cost online colleges in California and in other states offer accredited finance degrees that are just as credible as in-person degrees. Look into the ones we highlight below to get started on a career in finance.

Affordable Online Finance Degree Programs in California

Nonprofit, public universities that are in your state will usually provide the most affordable tuition costs. Out of the many colleges that meet those requirements, we've found two that offer a high-quality online finance program. Enrolling in one of these programs means that you can earn your degree without having to go on-campus�a great way to save money.

1. California State University East Bay

Students at California State University East Bay can complete a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a finance concentration. This degree completion program builds on credits earned in an associate degree or similar program to teach skills such as investment banking, data-based decision-making, and risk management. This program has a $433 per credit hour tuition cost, but students can qualify for the Cal Grant, federal aid, and private scholarships.

2. National University

National University offers an online Bachelor of Science in financial management. This degree teaches important skills needed for financial services, such as risk management, corporate valuation, and data analytics. Students will also complete a finance-based capstone project to give students hands-on practice.

Online students at National University pay $370 per credit hour for this degree program. They can use grants and scholarships to reduce costs, and NU provides access to financial aid advisors to help students understand their options.

Other Affordable Online Finance Programs

Distance education reduces the barriers caused by in-person learning. If a student can't find the best degree program for their career goals in California, they can look to out-of-state online learning programs that provide additional educational opportunities.

1. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a finance specialization. This online bachelor's degree program prepares graduates to sit for advanced certificate exams, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exams. In-state students pay $218.98 per credit hour, while out-of-state students can pay as low as $341.67 per credit hour if they qualify for a tuition waiver.

2. University of Arizona Global Campus

The Bachelor of Arts in finance from the University of Arizona Global Campus is completed one accelerated five-week-long course at a time. Students will study financial analysis and corporate finance theories, and look at the political, social, legal, and ethical contexts that finance professionals work within. All undergraduate students pay $460 per online credit at UAGC, regardless of residency. Students at UAGC will also have access to ScholarshipUniverse which can help them find individual scholarships that fit their needs.

3. Indiana University

The Bachelor of Science in business administration from Indiana University has four concentration options, including finance. Students will cover general business topics, as well as specific finance-related coursework. This online degree program teaches finance concepts that can apply to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Indiana residents pay $257.23 per credit hour while out-of-state residents pay $378.10. Admitted students can apply for the IU General Scholarship application for school-provided financial aid.

4. University of Minnesota Crookston

The University of Minnesota Crookston offers a Bachelor of Science in finance. This program includes online courses in managerial finance, business writing, and investment banking. The undergraduate online tuition rate at the University of Minnesota is $448 per credit hour before applying their grants, scholarships, or work-study programs to your bill.

5. Missouri State University

The Bachelor of Science in finance from Missouri State University prepares students for diverse career paths as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam. Students can also use this degree to prepare for an online master's degree program. Online courses at Missouri State University cost $290 per credit hour, regardless of residency. MSU also offers financial aid options tailored to incoming and transferring students and returning learners.

6. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University offers students the chance to earn a Bachelor of Science in business administration in finance. This program includes a broad approach to business management, including courses on human resources and operations management as well as more finance-focused coursework. Tuition costs $340 per credit hour, but students can enroll in the FastTrack program to test out of classes, allowing them to save money and time.

Our Selection Criteria

Our ranking methodology focused on three primary criteria. All these schools were selected because they meet our standards for making higher education accessible and affordable.

• Affordability: We selected programs that have tuition rates under $500 per credit hour after financial aid has been applied. This entire list is made of online colleges that accept FAFSA, ensuring financial aid options.
• Accreditation: We highlighted programs with either regional or national accreditation. This ensures that your degree will qualify for entry-level careers, sitting for certification exams, or pursuing graduate degrees.
• Flexibility: These programs include asynchronous and self-paced degree programs. Students looking to continue working can complete these degree programs around other responsibilities.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Finance Programs

Many students have common questions about online degree programs, especially finance-focused ones. The most common questions include total costs, whether these degrees are worth it, and which degrees are recommended.

How Much Does It Cost To Get a Finance Degree Online?

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average cost of an online degree is $40,926 for in-state students or $59,011 for out-of-state students. The lowest average tuition costs can be found at in-state, nonprofit, and public schools. Online universities that accept transfer credits present additional savings opportunities.

Are Online Finance Degrees Worth It?

Online finance degrees are worth it. These degrees provide affordable and flexible learning opportunities compared to on-campus programs. Most schools don't differentiate in any way between online and on-campus degrees, so employers won't know that you paid less or earned your degree on your schedule.

What Are Some Examples of Recommended Online Finance Degrees?

The most recommended online finance degrees are either finance-focused degrees or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees with a finance focus. These programs will teach relevant finance skills as well as more general business skills that can lead to careers and graduate programs.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees Today

Our resources can help you learn about individual schools, their finance degrees, and more. Once you've narrowed down the best programs for your needs, reach out to the colleges to start your application process or request more information today.