The financial landscape of the 21st century is evolving. It is broadening far beyond banks and financial institutions. Financial professionals are employed in all sectors, including insurance, real estate, and stocks. This ranking of the Best Finance Online MBA Programs offers excellent options for business professionals who want to focus on Finance and those seeking a career change. These programs provide opportunities for students to advance their knowledge in various financial topics, including corporate finance, investments, personal finance, and taxation. Students graduate as competent business leaders ready to help corporations analyze their finances and assess risks versus profits. A Finance MBA is considered a highly desirable degree due to the salary potential, future career outlook, and vast job opportunities.
The Best Finance Online MBA Programs
The best part about this ranking is that all the programs are offered in an online format. Many of these convenient programs can even be completed on an app. Busy professionals can access courses after work. Parents can balance family obligations and school. Students can achieve degrees from highly reputable schools because the commuting distance does not confine them. Some programs are 100% online, while others may require an occasional on-campus residency. Some even offer optional global immersion experiences. Even students who never step foot on campus can establish connections with their cohort through online live courses, collaborating on group projects, and virtual graduate organizations. Online MBA programs feature a wide range of student services, including career support, technical assistance, and access to research materials.
Methodology
Our goal was to find the best Finance Online MBA Programs. We combined information from three of the most respected Online MBA, MBA, and university ranking systems. Combining these three rankings gives a comprehensive overview of an Online MBA’s reputation and prestige. All ranking scores were averaged and put on a 100-point scale to reveal their Online MBA Coach Score. We hope that this list helps you find the Finance Online MBA that meets your current needs and future goals.
1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kenan-Flagler Business School
UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School offers an online Master’s of Business Administration in Finance ideal for students who recently completed their undergraduate business degree to professionals with several years of experience. This versatile program offers numerous customization options, including part-time or full-time enrollment and more than 40 exciting electives.
All students will enhance their learning experience by attending a minimum of two in-person summits. International summits allow students to explore business hubs worldwide, and on-campus conferences feature leadership topics such as advanced management techniques and consulting. This program holds elite accreditation through the AACSB and is ranked 4th amongst Best Online Finance MBA Programs by U.S. News. Graduates self-report an average salary of $159,557 one-year post-graduation, and many students are promoted while they are still in the MBA program. Life-long career support is available for alumni.
OMBA Coach Score: 99.31
2 | Indiana University
Kelley School of Business
Graduate students looking to fast-track their degree can pursue an online Master’s of Business Administration with a major in Finance. U.S. News highly ranks this dynamic program. The curriculum consists of 54-credit hours, 27-credit hours of required courses, and 27-credit hours of electives. A few classes students will take include Developing Strategic Capabilities, Digital Technology and Innovation, and Integrative Live Case Experience.
Students will attend two residency experiences where they collaborate with their cohort members on business cases for real clients. These occur at the beginning and the end of the MBA program. All other coursework can be completed entirely online. At the culmination of the program, students will complete a team capstone project. Graduates report an average salary increase of 29%, and nearly two-thirds earned a promotion prior to graduation. Students receive multiple layers of support throughout their education to ensure success, from academic assistance to social opportunities with peers.
OMBA Coach Score: 93.98
3 | University of Maryland, College Park
Robert H. Smith School of Business
Finance students can gain knowledge and hands-on experience by earning an online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from the University of Maryland, College Park. This rigorous program is offered through the highly esteemed Robert H. Smith School of Business. This AACSB accredited program emphasizes the application of data.
Students are able to work together in online collaborative workspaces and meet in person during MBA residencies. Action Learning Projects are embedded into the residencies, so students gain real-world experience. An option global studies course allows students to travel internationally with their peers and professor. Finance electives include Applied Equity Analysis, Commercial Bank Management, and Financial Restructuring. The stellar career services department offers leadership assessments, virtual career coaching, and online recruiting. Graduates in 2018 reported an average base salary of $98,629. Students can graduate in as few as 24 months and join the growing network of more than 66,000 alumni.
OMBA Coach Score: 88.18
4 | University of Arizona
Eller College of Management
Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona features a premier online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. This flexible program allows students to log in to complete work 24/7, so they can fit school into their busy schedules. Six start dates are offered annually, and students can graduate in as few as 14 months.
This AACSB accredited online MBA is ranked 7th by U.S. News and World Report for 2022. Classes are offered in an eight-week accelerated format and feature engaging video lectures, reading assignments on current business topics, journal entries, and discussion boards. Students will improve their leadership and communication skills through group simulation projects and presentations. Finance concentration courses include Financial Statement Analysis, Fundamental Financial Modeling, and Investment Analysis and Management. Optional global experiences are available in locations from Brazil to Chile to Singapore. Online students can expand their network by attending these trips with students enrolled in the full-time or evening MBA programs.
OMBA Coach Score: 80.55
5 | University of Massachusetts Amherst
Isenberg School of Management
Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst offers a high-caliber online Master’s of Business Administration in Finance. In 2022, U.S. News ranked the online MBA 12th overall, and the Finance specialization was ranked 10th in 2021. Students who pursue the finance specialization will choose three advanced finance courses. Finance electives include New Venture Finance, Real Estate Investment, and Value Investing. Personal Finance courses span cash management, insurance, and investments.
Students will receive support and build relationships with peers in a virtual environment, but students also have the option of attending in-person classes from satellite campuses in Boston and Shrewsbury. Virtual and in-person networking events and career panels are also hosted throughout the year. Career Services helps students secure internships and provides personalized career coaching. Several organizations are offered to meet a wide gamut of passions, including the Finance Club, Graduate Business Association, and Graduate Women in Business. Students can get a jumpstart on their degree by enrolling in two classes while waiting for their applications to be processed.
OMBA Coach Score: 78.29
6 | Syracuse University
Martin J. Whitman School of Management
Earn a top-ranked online Master’s of Business Administration with a Finance specialization delivered by Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management. The online MBA was ranked 35th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and 28th nationally by The Princeton Review in 2021. Additionally, Whitman School of Management has been accredited by the AACSB since 1920!
Classes are capped at 20 students to provide an intimate learning atmosphere filled with engaging discussions. In as few as 24 months, finance students will complete 54-credit hours, including courses such as Corporate Financial Policy and Strategy, Financial Analytics, Introduction to Derivatives, and Investment Analysis. Students will attend three in-person residencies in destinations such as New York City, Denver, and Hong Kong. Online students have access to a virtual career center, and 68% of 2020 graduates reported earning a promotion or raise upon graduation. Alumni are employed at Bank of America, JP Chase Morgan, and KPMG.
OMBA Coach Score: 77.58
7 | Babson College
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business
Supercharge your business career trajectory by earning a flexible, online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance or Quantitative Finance through Babson College’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business. The Finance concentration includes topics such as Financial Trading Strategies, Financing and Valuing Sustainability, and Real Estate Finance. The Quantitative Finance option blends STEM with Finance through courses like Financial Data Analysis and Practice, Financial Macroeconomic Data Analysis, and Managing Portfolios.
Students can also gain course credits and hands-on international consulting experience through short global immersions to destinations including Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, and Sweden. Professors keep online learning fresh through innovative challenges such as asking for a promotion and writing a reflection about it, doing something you’ve never done before and sharing on the discussion board, and sending out inspirational quotes and questions on WhatsApp. These challenges have paid off, as alumni are currently employed at Airbnb, Bose Corporation, Deloitte, IBM, and PwC.
OMBA Coach Score: 75.25
8 | University of Texas at Dallas
Naveen Jindal School of Management
The Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas offers a Professional Master’s of Business Administration Online with a concentration in Finance. This invigorating program is designed around your lifestyle and can be completed 100% online. The curriculum consists of 53-credit hours, which includes 12 hours towards the concentration and an additional 21 hours of electives. The elective credits may be used to pursue a second concentration or a professional certificate.
There are 15 concentrations offered, including options such as Accounting, Business Analytics, Internal Audit, and Leadership in Organizations, which would all nicely complement a finance concentration. Professional certificates include Executive and Professional Coaching, Organizational Consulting, Project Management, Strategic H.R., and Transformational Leadership. The PMBA tied for 6th Best Online Program by U.S. News and World Report in 2019. Recent graduates are employed with Amazon, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Proctor & Gamble, and Wells Fargo. The average annual salary for recent graduates is $102,000.
OMBA Coach Score: 73.72
9 | Duke University
Fuqua School of Business
Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business features a Weekend Executive Master’s of Business Administration with a functional concentration in Finance for seasoned professionals seeking to attain their career goals while continuing to work full-time. To fulfill the concentration requirements, students will need to complete two electives and an independent project.
This hybrid program is 22 months and consists of a three-day residency once a month, as well as a one-week residency to launch the program and two one-week sessions during the final semester. This format allows students to form connections with peers spanning the globe while minimizing time away from work. Students will be placed in groups with 4-5 colleagues within their cohort to work on group projects. Weekend residencies are full of exciting experiences, including alumni panels, case studies, professional speakers, and personalized leadership coaching sessions. Students can also participate in the optional Global Academic Travel Experience, which is a 12-day trip filled with visits to international corporations and meetings with business and government leaders.
OMBA Coach Score: 66.95
10 | University of Denver
Daniels College of Business
Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver transforms business professionals into world-class leaders through the online Master’s of Business Administration with a finance concentration. The Daniels CoB is the 8th oldest business school in the U.S. and has been continuously accredited by the AACSB since 1923.
The 60-credit-hour curriculum consists of foundational core courses, advanced core courses, and concentration electives. Finance students will take Advanced Business Valuation, Equity Analysis, Financial Investments and Marketing, and Financial Planning and Analysis. Classes feature a combination of live lectures in real-time along with weekly self-paced assignments. Students also have the option to attend in-person domestic and global immersions where they have the opportunity to practice and apply their newly learned business skills through hands-on activities and workshops. All students benefit from personalized executive career coaching and a complimentary Premium LinkedIn membership. Program entry points are offered in January, March, June, and September.
OMBA Coach Score: 66.43
11 | University of California, Los Angeles
Anderson School of Management
The University of California, Los Angeles helps students discover their career options through the Fully Employed Master’s of Business Administration program with a finance specialization. The FEMBA is provided by the AACSB-accredited Anderson School of Management. This hybrid program kicks off with a mandatory week-long intensive and can be completed in 27 months. Each quarter will consist of four-weekend residencies with courses on Saturdays and Sundays.
Finance students can select a track in Corporate Finance, Investment Banking/Management, or Venture Capital and Private Equity, or blend electives from all three areas together to meet their career goals. Some of the finance courses include Behavioral Finance, Entrepreneurship and Venture Initiation, and Fieldwork in Investment Banking. The program culminates with either a Business Creation capstone project or the Global Access Program. GAP is a six-month faculty-guided business consulting project with an international corporation featuring research that can be conducted remotely, followed by a trip to the international corporation.
OMBA Coach Score: 65.45
12 | University of Virginia
Darden School of Business
The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Management is home to the Executive MBA and the Global Executive MBA. Both of these programs allow students to select a focus on Finance. The only difference in formats is that EMBA students will attend one global residency, and GEMBA students will be required to attend all four. A few of the current destinations offered for global residencies include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Japan, and Israel.
All students launch their MBA with the “Leading with an Enterprise Perspective” residency and end the program with the “Creating the Future” residency. Each of these residencies is one week long. Students will also attend monthly weekend residencies and are required to log in for live distance learning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 PM. A broad range of Finance electives are offered, including Entrepreneurial Finance, Financial Institutes and Markets, and Sustainable Global Value Chains. Course content is delivered through business simulations, case studies, peer mentoring, and role-playing business scenarios.
OMBA Coach Score: 65.20
13 | Carnegie Mellon University
Tepper School of Business
The elite Carnegie Mellon University features a Part-time Online Hybrid Master’s of Business Administration through the Tepper School of Business. The Part-time MBA is currently ranked 4th Best Online MBA by U.S. News and World Report for 2022 and 5th by The Princeton Review for 2022. Additionally, the Finance MBA specialization is ranked 2nd by U.S. News and World Report. This STEM-designated MBA features live classes two evenings per week and Access Weekends. A sample of finance courses includes Corporate Financial Reporting, Financial and Managerial Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis.
The Accelerate Leadership Center provides students with personalized professional leadership coaching and peer-based communication coaching. Students can also attend leadership workshops and even earn the Leadership Development Certification. Professional development sessions, summer internships, and prep for full-time recruitment are additional optional program components to help students succeed. The mean base salary of 2021 Tepper MBA graduates was $134,847, and 96% of graduates report employment within three months.
OMBA Coach Score: 63.39
14 | Santa Clara University
Leavey School of Business
Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business has received national prestige for its online Master’s of Business Administration with a Finance concentration. This program is fully accredited through the AACSB and was recognized as one of the Best Business Grad Schools by U.S. News and World Report in 2020.
The program kicks off with a three-day residency weekend featuring field trips, lectures, and scavenger hunts. Students will also get an introduction to two courses: Leading People and Organization and Doing Business in Silicon Valley. Finance concentration courses include Business Valuation, Investments, and Financial Engineering. Additional finance electives offered are Macroeconomics and Monetary Policy: Theory and Applications and Alternative Investments: Partnerships and Venture Capital. Students enrolled in the program work for high-profile companies such as Apple, Google, GoPro, and Tesla. Students can network with their peers through case study competitions, graduate business student clubs, and the Startup Grind Global Conference. The average alumni earn a mid-career salary of $167,800.
OMBA Coach Score: 61.16
15 | Rice University
Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
Rice’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business offers a world-renowned online Master of Business Administration with a focus area in Corporate Finance. Jones is ranked among the Top 30 Best Business Schools by U.S. News and World Report for 2022. The Online MBA is ranked amongst the Top 10 MBA Programs by The Princeton Review and Fortune Education.
This 54-credit hour MBA is designed to be completed in two years and be accessed from any device with internet access. Students develop close-knit relationships with their cohort through weekly live virtual classes and have opportunities to meet up during MBA@Rice Residentials and Global Field Experiences. The residential experiences include group projects, seminars, and simulations. Finance students choose from a wide array of electives, including Accounting Based Valuation, Corporate Investment Policy, and Mergers and Acquisitions. The capstone course allows students to utilize their business knowledge to work with a non-profit organization on a real managerial problem. The online MBA admits students into the program quarterly.
OMBA Coach Score: 61.05
16 | Pepperdine University
Graziadio Business School
Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School offers an online Master’s of Business Administration that prepares students for today’s complex business problems. U.S. News recognized this program among the Best Online MBA Programs in the nation for 2022, and Graziadio was named a Best B-School by Bloomberg Businessweek. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1, ensuring students receive the personalized attention they need to excel. Professors have held leadership roles with Hilton, Honda, and NASA.
The 52-unit curriculum can be completed in as few as 20 months, or part-time students may take up to four years. Topics explored by finance students include corporate Finance, new venture financing, real estate markets, and risk management. A Personal and Leadership Development Workshop weekend immersion is held during the student’s first semester. Students may also participate in an optional week-long global intensive. The Education to Business Program gives students the unique opportunity to pitch their business solutions and ideas to executives from top corporations. If a student’s idea is selected, they’ll work on bringing their idea to fruition.
OMBA Coach Score: 60.90
17 | University of South Florida
Muma College of Business
Students can attend the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business for their online MBA with a concentration in Finance. Finance concentration courses include Advanced Money and Capital Markets, Financial Modeling and Analytics, and Investments. Full-time students can complete this MBA in as little as one year, and part-time students generally graduate in two or three years. In 2021, this online MBA was ranked amongst the top 25 nationally by The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report.
The 33-credit hour program kicks off with a two-day on-campus orientation where students meet their peers and professors. Students have an average of six years of work experience and work for top companies such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to get involved in virtual and on-campus student organizations, professional development sessions, and immersion electives.
OMBA Coach Score: 60.31
18 | Lehigh University
College of Business
Lehigh University highly regarded College of Business offers a FLEX Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Students studying Finance will take courses such as Financial Management, Financial Markets and Institutions, International Finance, and Investments. An emphasis is placed on corporate ethics and social responsibility.
The Integrative Experience course is a blend of case studies and presentations, simulations, and projects integrating subject matter from all core courses. This degree offers the ultimate flexibility, allowing students to switch back and forth from on-campus to live streaming courses daily, depending on their schedule. Most students complete this part-time MBA in about 3.5 years, but students are able to accelerate their degree or slow it down to fit their lifestyle. FLEX MBA students entering the program self-report a median salary of $88,000 and, upon graduation, report a median salary of $120,000. Students and alumni are employed with Bank of America, Boeing, Chevron, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, and Pratt & Whitney.
OMBA Coach Score: 59.89
19 | American University
Kogod School of Business
The Kogod School of Business at American University provides students with the opportunity to advance their careers by earning a top-ranked online Master’s of Business Administration. Q.S. University World Rankings places this online MBA 16th in the nation and 32nd worldwide. Additionally, this program is ranked 69th nationally by U.S. News and World Report and 38th by The Princeton Review.
Students can choose to complete the program in 12, 15, 18, or 24 months. The 48-credit curriculum consists of the following finance courses: Fraud Examination and Litigation Support, International Finance, and Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management. Students can enhance their resume by earning the Analytics certificate by taking a series of three analytics courses. Two in-person immersions are embedded into the program. One will take place in Washington, D.C., and previous destinations for the other have included Beijing, Madrid, and Brussels. During the immersions, students work with real companies to solve business challenges in small groups.
OMBA Coach Score: 58.19
20 | University of Minnesota
Carlson School of Management
The University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management empowers students with the online Master’s of Business Administration with a Finance specialization. Within the Finance specialization, students will choose a focus area in Banking, Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, or Security Analysis and Portfolio Management.
This 52-credit-hour program can be completed in two years, but students have the option to take longer if needed. Global enrichment programs allow students to earn elective credits by attending one-week or two-week international trips. Residencies enhance the MBA experience by helping students establish professional networks. A mandatory three-day orientation is hosted at the beginning of the program. Featured electives are also offered in a week-long in-person format. These residencies consist of professional development, interactive workshops, and networking dinners. Over 40 on-campus recruiting events are hosted by the Graduate Business Career Center annually. Within four months of graduation, 84% of Carlson MBA graduates were promoted and were given a 30% salary increase.
OMBA Coach Score: 55.44
21 | Arizona State University
W.P. Carey School of Business
The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University helps students hone their leadership skills through the online Master’s of Business Administration. The 2022 U.S. News and World Report ranking places this program 7th in the category of Best Online MBA Programs and 3rd in Best Online Finance MBA Programs. Classes are offered in condensed five-week sessions allowing students to focus on one course at a time. Courses are kept small and are instructed by the same professors as the on-campus program. Some of the finance courses available include Advanced Corporate Finance, Financial Statement Analysis, International Finance, and Investment Strategies.
The W.P. Carey Career Services Center provides students with professional career consulting, summer internship assistance, and on-campus recruitment events. Graduates of this challenging program are prepared to assume roles such as finance managers, financial advisors, and investment bankers. Prospective students can learn more about this dynamic program by attending a virtual or in-person lunch or workshop with alumni.
OMBA Coach Score: 54.65
22 | Ohio State University
Max M. Fisher College of Business
Ohio State’s Max M. Fisher College of Business delivers an exceptional online Working Professionals Master of Business Administration with a Finance specialization. This top-ranked MBA is ranked 11th nationwide for Part-time MBA Programs by U.S. News and World Report. This flexible degree can be completed entirely online or through a mix of virtual and in-person classes, ranging from two years to six years. Each online course will consist of at least 30% required synchronous sessions.
The 48-credit hour curriculum consists of 27-credits for core courses and 21-credits for electives. Finance students will complete the following base courses: Corporate Financing, Investment Theory and Practice, and Derivatives Markets. After these courses, students can select from three distinct finance tracks: Corporate Finance, Investments, or Risk Management. Experiential learning opportunities include the week-long Strategic Leadership: Business and the Public Policy Process seminar in Washington, D.C., Global Applied Projects, and 1-2 week-long Global Business Expeditions.
OMBA Coach Score: 52.13
23 | University of Wisconsin-Madison
Wisconsin School of Business
The Wisconsin School of Business through the University of Wisconsin-Madison has designed a Professional Master’s of Business Administration in a flexible, online format. The core MBA can be completed in one year, and students can stay in the program for an additional one to four years to earn customized badges in functional business areas. Students can earn one badge per semester. Those who choose to pursue the Financial Insight badge will take Corporate Finance Theory, Managerial Accounting, and Risk Management. Additional badges include Business Analytics, Customer Insight, Entrepreneurship, Global Business, Social Responsibility, Strategic Innovation, and Supply Chain Strategy.
One weekend per month, students will attend an on-campus residency. During these residencies, students will utilize the state-of-the-art Finance and Analytics Labs. Typical degree completion time is two to five years. Students who earned an undergraduate business degree from Wisconsin may be eligible to waive up to 14-credit hours. Part-time MBA graduates see an average salary increase of 38% upon completion of their degree.
OMBA Coach Score: 52.06
24 | Penn State
Smeal College of Business
Penn State’s Smeal College of Business offers students a world of possibilities through the online Master of Business Administration, featuring a concentration in Finance or Financial Engineering. The online MBA is ranked 33rd by U.S. News and World Report for 2022. This 48-credit hour program launches with the Team Performance core course residency. This residency can be completed in person or virtually. Finance concentration courses include Analysis of Financial Markets, Multinational Managerial Finance, and Portfolio Management. The Financial Engineering courses include Derivative Securities, Econometric Analysis, and Financial Modeling. All courses are asynchronous with optional synchronous discussions.
Students also have additional in-person opportunities through the leadership immersion team-based challenge and global immersions. Previous destinations have included Chile, China, the Czech Republic, and South Africa. As the curriculum is updated, students and alum can attend the Executive Update Workshops. This program offers students the flexibility to begin in any semester. Students are invited to attend an online sample MBA course prior to applying.
OMBA Coach Score: 51.27
25 | Hofstra University
Frank G. Zarb School of Business
The prestigious Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University offers an online Master’s of Business Administration in Finance that is consistently ranked amongst the top in the nation. This AACSB accredited program was ranked amongst the Top 25 MBA Programs by The Princeton Review in 2019 and amongst the Best Online MBA Programs by U.S. News and World Report in 2020.
This 36-credit-hour program consists of core competencies, capstone integrative courses, and a major concentration. Students who select the finance concentration are required to complete the Investments course and two finance electives. Finance electives include Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Investing, Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Time Series Analysis of Financial Data, and many other options. Internships can also be completed for credits. This program offers an accelerated 16-month option. Part-time students typically take 30 months to complete all requirements but can take up to five years.
OMBA Coach Score: 47.79
The Best Finance Online MBA Programs
The old adage, “Money talks,” resonates with financial professionals. Investment pros are experts at handling personal finances. They also work with multibillion-dollar corporations to grow their financial assets. Earning an online Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance can be a pivotal career point for financial advisors and coaches. This credential is often required by top investment firms and Fortune 500 companies. Many individuals pursuing a Finance online MBA have substantial business experience but want to learn to manage large portfolios, delve into real estate, or specialize in retirement planning.
Finance online MBA programs include a solid business core with advanced finance courses. This combination prepares well-rounded graduates to pursue careers in Finance or other business careers. Graduates are in demand. This is because individuals and companies are interested in hiring a specialist to manage their cash flow. Financial professionals graduate with in-depth knowledge of creating and managing a budget. They are also adept at utilizing financial technology tools to predict trends. Finance MBA grads are also equipped to make smart financial decisions.
Many online Finance MBA graduates report earning a job promotion or salary increase. Graduates are also positioned to assume managerial roles.
What is a Finance Online MBA?
A Finance Online MBA comprises core courses and more targeted finance courses. The core will generally include classes in
- accounting,
- business analytics,
- economics,
- entrepreneurship, and
- financial management.
Some programs offer a broad finance concentration, while others offer specific finance tracks, such as
- Corporate Finance and Investment Banking,
- Personal Financial Planning,
- Real Estate, and
- Risk Management and Insurance.
What should I look for in a Finance Online MBA?
Accreditation/Rankings
AACSB accreditation is the highest accreditation a business school can receive. Some of the schools on this ranking have been AACSB-accredited continuously for 100 years. The length of accreditation demonstrates the business school is well established. It also means employers are likely familiar with the quality of graduates that the business school produces. U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review publish a ranking in the specialty category of Finance.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Residencies offer an exciting opportunity to mingle with peers who are equally as fascinated with Finance. Some programs hold monthly weekend on-campus residencies. Other programs may only have a couple residencies throughout the entire program or not have any, and some may be optional components. These can
- enhance your learning experience,
- may feature team challenges and case studies, and
- even the opportunity to work on consulting projects with real companies.
It is important to consider the distance you will need to travel to attend the residencies and if it is possible to get time off from work if needed. Most residencies are only two or three days, but some are one or even two weeks long.
Domestic and global immersions are another opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in lectures to the real world. These are phenomenal opportunities regardless of whether you plan to work locally or apply for international corporations.
Career Services and Outcomes
Online programs should offer convenient career services for students who are unable to make it to campus. This can include
- career webinars,
- an online job board, and
- one-on-one career coaching through video chats.
Programs that require residencies may also include career support sessions scheduled during the time students will be on-campus. Some universities have alumni chapters within major cities of the U.S., so students can be mentored by an alum that lives near them. Ask the university
- where recent graduates are employed,
- the length it took to secure full-time employment, and
- the average starting salaries upon graduation.
The statistics can help you predict your potential return on investment and decide if the investment is worth it. Alumni connections are powerful, so choosing a school with large alumni could help you secure a job.
Asynchronous v. Synchronous
Some programs combine a blend of asynchronous projects with synchronous lessons in real-time. It is important to find out the format of the program you are applying for and the time commitment that will be required. If flexibility is the main reason you’re pursuing an online degree, seek out a program that is primarily asynchronous. However, if you are choosing online simply due to distance, but you are worried about missing out on peer connections, choose a synchronous program. Synchronous programs may meet for classes once or twice per week.
What jobs can I get with a Finance Online MBA?
Professionals in financial sectors earn an attractive income, are in high demand, and have job security.
Financial Managers
Financial managers work in a variety of settings, including banks, insurance companies, and investment firms. They create financial reports and plans for how a company can meet its long-term financial goals. According to the BLS, financial managers earned a median salary of $131,710 in 2021. Between 2020 and 2030, the need for financial managers is anticipated to increase by 17%.
Financial Analysts
Financial analysts recommend investments individuals and companies should make to grow their profits. These professionals research market trends for a particular industry or region. There are many niches within financial analysis. Careers could include financial risk specialists, fund managers, investment analysts, portfolio managers, rating analysts, and securities analysts. In 2021, financial analysts earned a median income of $81,410.
Personal Financial Advisors
PFAs work with individuals on setting and achieving goals for their financial future, such as planning for retirement. They also provide advice on investments, mortgages, and taxes. The median pay for personal financial advisors in 2021 was $94,170.
Next Steps
Many online MBA programs offer multiple start dates, so you can begin preparing for your future today! Prospective candidates will need to fill out an application and submit official college transcripts conferring an undergraduate degree. Students may be asked to submit supplemental documents, such as letters of reference or a resume outlining professional business and leadership experience. Also, GRE or GMAT scores may be required, but many programs offer waivers for online students.
Business schools host a variety of MBA info sessions virtually and in person. This allows students to have all of their questions answered. Some programs even allow students to sit in on a live online class lecture or attend a portion of a weekend residency to see if their program is a good fit.
Start making your lists of potential programs! And get started making connections and gathering info to apply to these exciting programs. Tomorrow is waiting.
Related Resources:
Most Affordable Online Finance MBA Programs
Top Online MBA Finance Specializations
Guide to a Finance Online MBA
Best Finance Jobs
Reasons to Get an Online MBA
