Key Takeaways:
- Our #1 ranking school for an online master’s in finance program is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, followed by Villanova University.
- Online master’s in finance degrees enhance career prospects and qualify for higher-paying positions in the growing finance industry.
- These programs are designed to be flexible, often offering asynchronous courses and specializations tailored to various career goals.
The financial industry is expected to add over half a million new jobs by 2024, making a master’s in finance online a smart choice for advancing your career. While an online master’s in finance isn’t always required, earning this degree can give you a competitive edge and open doors to higher-paying roles. To help you find the best value in education, we’ve ranked the top 15 online master’s in finance programs that offer both affordability and quality.
Rating and Ranking Methodology
Awards and Recognition (Related to Finance)
• National Level – 2 points
• Regional Level – 1 point
20-Year Net ROI
• Above 500,000 – 4 points
• Above 400,000 – 3 points
• Above 300,000 – 2 points
• Above 200,000 – 1 point
Finance Research Opportunities – 1 point
Innovative Programs and/or Teaching Methods in Finance – 1 point
Finance Internship Opportunities – 1 point
Finance Scholarship Opportunities – 1 point
Related Student Organizations and Societies – 1 point
Wow Factor: awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us – 1 point
Featured Programs
Best Value Colleges for an Online Master’s in Finance
After using the NCES College Navigator database to identify the 28 colleges and universities offering an online master’s in finance degree program, our editors narrowed the field to 15 by applying the above rating and ranking methodology. In cases where schools received the same number of points, annual graduate tuition (out-of-state where applicable) from College Navigator was used to break the tie, with the most affordable master’s in finance online program being listed higher in the rankings.
#15 – Johnson & Wales University
Online Master of Science in Finance
Providence, Rhode Island
Website
Points: 4
The online master’s in finance at Johnson & Wales University includes tracks in financial planning and financial analysis. Both tracks can be completed in as little as 15 months, but students are free to take more time to complete the degree. Courses are taught by faculty with experience in the field, and the program was designed with the input of industry leaders. As a result, ms finance online students enjoy an education that is career-focused and relevant to current market demands.
Tuition/fees: $16,056
#14 – University of Miami
Online Master’s in Finance
Coral Gables, Florida
Website
Points: 5
The University of Miami’s accelerated online master’s in finance is rigorous but flexible enough to accommodate working students. The program includes two tracks: Corporate Finance and Financial Decision Making. Prior finance experience is not required for either of these tracks, but both tracks introduce advanced coursework early in the program. Completion time for this program is typically 16 months, but this can vary depending on the student’s desired pace. The program is also affordable, with multiple scholarships available to master’s in finance online students who need financial aid.
Tuition/fees: $34,248
#13 – Webster University
Online Master of Science in Finance
Saint Louis, Missouri
Website
Points: 5
Webster University’s online master’s of finance is available in both completely online and hybrid formats. Students are able to attend in-person classes not only at the main campus in St. Louis, but also in one of the university’s locations in both the US and other countries. The program starts out broad in order to give students a strong foundation in all major finance topics and related fields. After this section of the program is completed, ms finance online students may choose electives and advanced courses that are more specific to their career goals.
Tuition/fees: $12,300
#12 – Colorado State University – Global Campus
Online Master’s in Finance
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Website
Points: 6
Colorado State University’s online master of finance is exceptionally flexible not only concerning scheduling, but also in regard to academic options. Unlike many programs that only offer a limited amount of specialization options to online students, this program offers all of its specialization options to distance students. There are over ten available specializations, ensuring that students can customize their education regardless of their career goals. This program is ideal for online master’s of science students who need a program that fits their schedule but do not want to give up academic flexibility.
Tuition/fees: $9,000
#11 – Boston University
Online Master of Banking and Financial Services Management
Boston, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 7
Boston University offers an MS in Banking and Financial Services Management. While this online master’s in finance program is primarily focused on the administrative and managerial aspects of finance, it still prepares students for careers as economists, financial examiners, and financial analysts. Students also have opportunities to take courses offered by other departments, including courses in web analytics and mining, terrorism, and agile software development. This allows online master of finance students to become more well-versed in areas that many other finance programs do not cover.
Tuition/fees: $48,082
#10 – Auburn University
Online Master of Science in Finance
Auburn, Alabama
Website
Points: 7
The online master’s in finance offered by Auburn University gives its students the same courses, exams, projects, and professors as their on-campus counterparts. This ensures that students can have the flexibility they need without giving up the quality of their education. Lectures are recorded using the business school’s smart classrooms and streamed to online students later that day. While this format is not quite as interactive as the popular synchronous format many other online master of finance schools offer, students still have opportunities to discuss lecture content on online discussion boards.
Tuition/fees: $28,020
#9 – University of Massachusetts – Lowell
Online Master of Science in Finance
Lowell, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 7
The University of Massachusetts – Lowell’s ms finance online degree program is available completely online. This program is primarily designed for students with a background in business and finance. However, students who did not major in business or take finance courses as undergraduates can take three prerequisite courses to gain enough of a background for the program. The online master’s in finance program is broad in order to accommodate a wide variety of students, and the university is consistently working to keep the program updated and relevant.
Tuition/fees: $18,587
#8 – Creighton University 
Online Master of Finance
Omaha, Nebraska
Website
Points: 7
The online master of finance program at Creighton University is broad and flexible, and emphasizes ethics and social responsibility. It is designed to accommodate students from a variety of career backgrounds, and it can be taken in both online and hybrid formats. Many students like the broad nature of the program, as it allows them to apply their education to a wide range of careers, but a track in insurance and risk management is available to those online master’s in finance students interested in specialization.
Tuition/fees: $16,664
#7 – Indiana University – Bloomington
Online MS in Finance
Bloomington, Indiana
Website
Points: 8
Indiana University – Bloomington’s online master’s in finance covers several topics, including financial management, economics, capital markets, and quantitative analysis. One notable aspect of the program is its dual degree option, which allow students to work towards an MBA at the same time as their MS finance online. All online programs offered by the University’s Kelly School of Business require a one-week residency known as the Kelly Connect Week. This is a great opportunity for students who want to connect with peers in person and participate in case competitions. However, this does make the program less ideal for students far away from campus.
Tuition/fees: $28,113
#6 – Northeastern University
Online Master of Science in Finance
Boston, Massachusetts
Points: 8
The online master’s in finance offered by Northeastern University is designed to help professionals in the industry expand their expertise and advance their careers without compromising their current work. Courses are asynchronous, so students can access the course material whenever it is most convenient for them. Students enjoy classes taught by faculty with experience in the field. As a result, courses cover not only theory, but also real-world practice. MS finance online students who complete this program are well prepared to take leadership positions in the promising field of finance.
Tuition/fees: $22,061
#5 – Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
Online Master of Finance
University Park, Pennsylvania
Website
Points: 8
Pennsylvania State University – World Campus’s online master of finance degree program is designed for individuals who already have an academic background in business and finance. It uses a cohort model, which promotes teamwork and allows students to form supportive relationships with peers. Students are also required to participate in a residency. While many students enjoy these aspects of the program because of the strong community they create, other online master’s in finance students may find it not flexible enough to meet their needs.
Tuition/fees: $19,832
#4 – University of Houston – Clear Lake
Online Master of Science in Finance
Houston, Texas
Website
Points: 8
The online master’s in finance offered by the University of Houston – Clear Lake has the same requirements and professors as its on-campus counterpart. Courses are recorded and delivered in an asynchronous format, so students can access course content at any time that is convenient for them. The ms finance online degree can be completed entirely online with no visits to campus, but students are welcome to take courses in person whenever they are able to visit campus.
Tuition/fees: $14,904
#3 – 
Online Master’s in Finance
Waltham, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 9
Bentley University’s online master of finance degree program is designed to be flexible both in terms of scheduling and in terms of academics. The program can be completed in either 12 or 16 months depending on the student’s desired pace. It also includes separate tracks in capital markets and corporate finance. Businesses are closely involved in the development of the program. This ensures that courses are relevant and ms finance online students have opportunities to connect with the corporate community.
Tuition/fees: $33,075
#2 – Villanova University
Online Master of Science in Finance
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Website
Points: 9
The online master’s in finance program offered by Villanova University is a challenging full-time degree program that is completed in a year and uses a cohort model. This program is well-known for preparing students both academically and professionally. The curriculum covers not only a wide variety of business and finance topics, but also trains students in interview and networking skills. This professional development aspect of the program is considered just as important as the finance aspects, and students are required to participate in the workshops to earn their ms finance online.
Tuition/fees: $17,219
#1 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Online Master of Science in Aviation Finance
Daytona Beach, Florida
Points: 9
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s online master of science in finance (aviation) is the first of its kind. While this program is definitely rather narrow, it is ideal for students interested in finance as it relates to the aviation industry. Students are trained to effectively adapt to the increasing amount of aircraft leasing firms, globalization of aerospace and aviation, and other challenges unique to this specialization. Master’s in finance online students can choose from multiple formats depending on their needs, including synchronous online courses, asynchronous online courses, and a blend of on-campus and online courses.
Tuition/fees: $6,960
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This concludes our ranking of the 15 top value online master’s in finance degree options.
By CVO Staff