Best Online MBA in Finance Programs
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2024If you’re interested in finance — a fast-paced environment, high salaries, maybe even a job on Wall Street — earning an MBA in finance could be an important step toward your dream career.
A finance MBA is a concentration option offered by many MBA programs. In addition to the basic financial management courses offered in standard MBA programs, finance students study more advanced concepts like business analytics and portfolio management. And online program options provide increased flexibility, letting you balance work or other responsibilities with school.
Once you complete an in-person or online MBA in finance, you’re prepared to pursue careers like financial manager, financial analyst, and maybe even chief financial officer. With many starting salaries around $95,000, this field often provides a good return on investment.
Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average growth for financial analysts and management analysts from 2022-2032.
Depending on whether you’re a young professional or midway through your career, you can find an MBA program that meets your needs online, in person, or in a hybrid format.
Still unsure about which MBA type of program to choose? Check out our ranking of the best online MBA programs.
Related MBA in Finance Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Accredited Online MBA in Finance Programs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,278
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate25%
- Students Enrolled30,092
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
Villanova University
- Villanova, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$56,730
- Out-of-state$56,730
- In-State$20,619
- Out-of-state$20,619
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate31%
- Students Enrolled11,032
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled0
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
Babson College
- Wellesley, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,144
- Out-of-state$54,144
- In-State$89,550
- Out-of-state$89,550
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate27%
- Students Enrolled3,340
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment79%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland-College Park
- College Park, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,824
- Out-of-state$34,936
- In-State$13,158
- Out-of-state$29,250
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled40,709
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University-Main Campus
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled46,655
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,818
- Out-of-state$13,634
- In-State$3,350
- Out-of-state$10,712
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled8,525
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Webster University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,500
- Out-of-state$28,500
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled8,197
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Wilmington, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,443
- Out-of-state$18,508
- In-State$4,719
- Out-of-state$18,548
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled17,915
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
University of Delaware
- Newark, DE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,730
- Out-of-state$34,160
- In-State$34,164
- Out-of-state$34,164
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled23,613
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Bethel University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$38,870
- Out-of-state$38,870
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$11,700
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled3,814
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
Ball State University
- Muncie, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,482
- Out-of-state$26,470
- In-State$9,328
- Out-of-state$25,542
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled21,597
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Amherst, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,791
- Out-of-state$35,779
- In-State$14,014
- Out-of-state$30,120
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled31,642
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,522
- Out-of-state$14,374
- In-State$5,467
- Out-of-state$16,695
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled30,805
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$53,432
- Out-of-state$53,432
- In-State$40,392
- Out-of-state$40,392
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled21,322
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
What Is an MBA in Finance?
Programs can vary considerably, but an MBA in finance often focuses on one or more subdisciplines, such as corporate or international finance. MBA programs often feature the same two-year commitment as a standard master’s program, although some MBA pathways offer flexible study options to better accommodate working professionals.
These programs can be demanding, emphasizing experience-driven and practical training, and students often complete internships. In online programs, degree-seekers may need to satisfy residency requirements — distance learners should keep those in mind when choosing a school.
What Can I Expect From an Online MBA in Finance Program?
Like a standard MBA program, an online MBA in finance covers general business topics. However, these programs place additional emphasis and provide training specifically in finance. Graduates can manage finance teams, provide consulting and analytical services, and help organizations make more informed financial decisions.
Online programs often offer students improved flexibility and accessibility. An online degree may pay off for students in many ways, with some programs offering asynchronous classes, innovative online technologies, and flat tuition rates for all learners.
Corporate Finance
Many of these finance courses are upper-level or elective classes in traditional MBA programs. However, a finance concentration offers a more comprehensive overview of the topic than a single course.Financial Management
A financial management course covers topics related to investment portfolio management, including asset allocation, portfolio optimization, trading, and more.Supply Chain Management
This course focuses on analytical tools to help with business operations, specifically risk mitigation, efficiency, and strategic management, among other things.Business Analytics
This class is tech-heavy, focusing on data analysis through predictive modeling. Some universities classify business analytics as a STEM course.Portfolio Management
This course builds on basic financial concepts and includes topics such as hedge funds, index funds, socially responsible investments, and more.
What Can I Do With a Finance MBA?
An MBA in finance can position you well for a rewarding, high-paying career. The BLS projects 17% job growth for financial managers between 2023 and 2033, which is more than five times faster than the average projected growth rate for all occupations. In addition to opening up numerous job opportunities, an MBA in finance qualifies professionals for some of the most lucrative positions in the business sector.
Degree-seekers can also boost their employability even more by specializing in a subdiscipline. Choosing a specialization like corporate finance, portfolio management, risk management, or financial management can help learners focus their training and strengthen their chances of finding meaningful employment in those fields.
Financial managers supervise major financial activities for organizations. They manage staff, optimize financial processes, and look for investment opportunities. These professionals need a bachelor’s degree at minimum, although many employers prefer hiring candidates with a graduate degree.
Median Annual Salary (2023):$156,100
Finance Not for You? Check Out These Related Careers
Is an MBA in Finance Worth It?
An MBA in finance can help graduates gain access to specialized industries, careers, and projects. These advanced degrees can provide graduates with a competitive advantage over their peers.
All MBA applicants should consider the possible return on investment for their degree, comparing tuition rates and average salaries of potential careers. MBA in finance graduates may qualify for positions like financial manager, financial analyst, and financial examiner. The top 10% of earners in each of these professions make $160,000 per year or higher.
However, an MBA does not automatically qualify all graduates for the same positions, nor does every student meet admission requirements for these oftentimes competitive programs. As an alternative, aspiring or current finance professionals may consider pursuing a graduate certificate in a specific finance discipline, an industry certification, and/or a standard master’s degree in finance.
Find the Tools You Need to Get Started on Your Degree
Why Get an MBA in Finance Instead of a Master’s in Finance?
Prospective finance students can choose between an MBA in finance and a master of science in finance. While both degrees can lead to similar career paths, MBA programs typically feature more leadership training and may better equip graduates for management positions.
While many of the best online master’s in finance programs offer similarly in-depth finance education, MBA programs may better connect the theory covered in coursework to broader organizational activities.
Aspiring learners might also decide to enroll in a dual MBA and master’s in finance program, which features an interdisciplinary approach. For more information on these types of programs, check out our dual-degree program guide.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBA in Finance Programs
Like any degree program, the difficulty will depend largely on the specific program and your preparation going into it. Generally, an MBA in finance is not harder than an MBA with a different concentration.
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