TOP 5 CHEAP ONLINE FINANCE DEGREE PROGRAMS (BACHELOR’S)
Welcome to our ranking of the most affordable online finance degree programs.No one can argue that being knowledgeable about financial principles will hurt you in the workplace. In fact, it’s much more likely to make you an invaluable asset to your employer and your company as a whole. As such, earning a finance degree online is a great way to enhance your career opportunities – or just grab onto that first rung of the corporate ladder. For students who are returning to school later in life and/or are on a budget, attending school online can be not only a smart choice but also a sound investment. That’s where this list comes in – it’s a selection of the most affordable bachelor’s degrees in finance online.
Featured Programs
The 20 Best Cheap Online Degrees in Finance Ranking Methodology
Selection Criteria
For this ranking, we focused on public and private (non-profit) colleges and universities that offer finance degrees online. Programs had to be actively conferring degrees to students (i.e., they graduated at least five students last year) to be eligible for consideration. Because of this ranking’s emphasis on affordability, we also limited our search to schools with reported annual tuition rates* of $30k or less.
*For public schools, we calculated the average value of their in-state and out-of-state rates. We obtained all financial data from the government database known as IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System).
Ranking Factors
To assess each program’s overall value, we looked at their performance in three categories.
- Affordability: What is the average cost of attendance per year (tuition + fees)?
- Focus of Coursework: What percentage of the core/major coursework is dedicated to finance topics (as opposed to general business classes)? Also, how many total finance, economics, and accounting courses are included in the degree requirements?
- Program Popularity: What percentage of all business undergraduate students choose to major in finance? How significant is this percentage? (In other words, how many different business programs do students have to choose from?)
We also gave programs a small boost for offering different concentrations as a part of their curriculum. Each concentration = two bonus points.
The above metrics were designed to identify affordable online finance degree programs that are in high-demand (attract a lot of students at the university) and feature a robust, career-relevant curriculum.
Each category carried the same weight in our ranking. After assigning points in each category and adding up the totals, we scaled the results so that the top-scoring school earned 100 points. Scroll down to read more about the 20 top cheap bachelor’s degrees in finance online.
Note: This article may contain sponsored links. These are designed to help you connect with programs easily.
Cheap Online Finance Degree Program Rankings
5. Columbia College
Online Bachelor of Arts/Science in Business Administration: Finance
Website
Online learners at Columbia College can choose to earn a B.A. or B.S. in Business Administration – both of which offer a specialization in finance. The core requirements are identical for both programs; however, B.A. majors must complete six credits in a foreign language, while B.S. majors take more open elective classes. But regardless of which path you choose, enrolling in CC’s top finance degree online will expose you to a variety of career-oriented management, accounting, and economics courses. Along the way, you’ll learn how to interpret financial statements, manage financial operations and plan for their growth, and make sound investment decisions.
Average Tuition & Fees: $20,936/yr
Score: 51
Online learners at Columbia College can choose to earn a B.A. or B.S. in Business Administration – both of which offer a specialization in finance. The core requirements are identical for both programs; however, B.A. majors must complete six credits in a foreign language, while B.S. majors take more open elective classes. But regardless of which path you choose, enrolling in CC’s top finance degree online will expose you to a variety of career-oriented management, accounting, and economics courses. Along the way, you’ll learn how to interpret financial statements, manage financial operations and plan for their growth, and make sound investment decisions.
Average Tuition & Fees: $20,936/yr
Score: 51
4. University of Houston-Downtown
Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
Website
Like most BBA degrees, UHD’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance puts plenty of emphasis on general administrative and managerial topics. But it also leaves ample room to cover financial subjects. In fact, the curriculum is surprisingly flexible for a BBA program. Coursework prepares students to take multiple certification exams (including the CFP, CFA, and CTP) while still allowing for some flexibility through open electives. What’s more, this is one of the few accredited online BBA in Finance programs to offer concentrations. As a finance major, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in one of two areas: Corporate Finance or Investment Management.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,874/yr
Score: 52
Like most BBA degrees, UHD’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance puts plenty of emphasis on general administrative and managerial topics. But it also leaves ample room to cover financial subjects. In fact, the curriculum is surprisingly flexible for a BBA program. Coursework prepares students to take multiple certification exams (including the CFP, CFA, and CTP) while still allowing for some flexibility through open electives. What’s more, this is one of the few accredited online BBA in Finance programs to offer concentrations. As a finance major, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in one of two areas: Corporate Finance or Investment Management.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,874/yr
Score: 52
3. Old Dominion University
Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Finance
Website
Old Dominion University has one of the best online BBA in Finance programs for students who want to work in corporate financial management, securities, or banking. The core curriculum, which includes classes like “Managerial Economics,” “Business Policy and Strategy,” and “Operations Management” ensures that graduates will be ready to take on leadership roles in the workplace. Combined with major coursework in international finance, investments, decision making, and risk management, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to the modern-day corporate world. And you’ll learn everything you need to know through ODU’s dynamic online learning environment, which combines asynchronous work with live virtual meetings.
Average Tuition & Fees: $18,240/yr
Score: 53
Old Dominion University has one of the best online BBA in Finance programs for students who want to work in corporate financial management, securities, or banking. The core curriculum, which includes classes like “Managerial Economics,” “Business Policy and Strategy,” and “Operations Management” ensures that graduates will be ready to take on leadership roles in the workplace. Combined with major coursework in international finance, investments, decision making, and risk management, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to the modern-day corporate world. And you’ll learn everything you need to know through ODU’s dynamic online learning environment, which combines asynchronous work with live virtual meetings.
Average Tuition & Fees: $18,240/yr
Score: 53
2. Northern Arizona University
Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
Website
At Northern Arizona University, you can take advantage of an accredited online finance degree program that is uniquely tailored to the needs of the modern corporate world. The 120-credit curriculum manages to provide a broad overview of business topics and specialized financial knowledge without sacrificing attention to either category. You’ll start with 45 credits of Business Core classes, including “Strategic Management” and an “Integrated Business Seminar.” Next, you’ll complete 21 credits in Major Courses to get a thorough understanding of banking, investments, international finance, and more. But what’s most unique is NAU’s certificate requirement, which mandates that all business majors earn a 15-credit certificate in a related field.
Average Tuition & Fees: $17,454/yr
Score: 58
At Northern Arizona University, you can take advantage of an accredited online finance degree program that is uniquely tailored to the needs of the modern corporate world. The 120-credit curriculum manages to provide a broad overview of business topics and specialized financial knowledge without sacrificing attention to either category. You’ll start with 45 credits of Business Core classes, including “Strategic Management” and an “Integrated Business Seminar.” Next, you’ll complete 21 credits in Major Courses to get a thorough understanding of banking, investments, international finance, and more. But what’s most unique is NAU’s certificate requirement, which mandates that all business majors earn a 15-credit certificate in a related field.
Average Tuition & Fees: $17,454/yr
Score: 58
1. Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration
Online BBA Finance
Website
As its name suggests, the Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration focuses entirely business and finance. The school is also a big fan of distance learning, which is good news for anyone who wants to earn a cheap bachelor’s degree in finance online. In many ways, Walsh College’s BBA in Finance is similar to the other degrees on our ranking. But it does have a few unique features that are worth mentioning. For example, the curriculum offers electives in seldom seen topics like “Entrepreneurial Finance” and “Fundamentals of Financial Fraud.” Even more unique is Walsh’s Finance Lab, which offers free, hands-on training in Bloomberg analytical software to anyone who can make the trip to campus.
Average Tuition & Fees: $13,575/yr
Score: 59
As its name suggests, the Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration focuses entirely business and finance. The school is also a big fan of distance learning, which is good news for anyone who wants to earn a cheap bachelor’s degree in finance online. In many ways, Walsh College’s BBA in Finance is similar to the other degrees on our ranking. But it does have a few unique features that are worth mentioning. For example, the curriculum offers electives in seldom seen topics like “Entrepreneurial Finance” and “Fundamentals of Financial Fraud.” Even more unique is Walsh’s Finance Lab, which offers free, hands-on training in Bloomberg analytical software to anyone who can make the trip to campus.
Average Tuition & Fees: $13,575/yr
Score: 59
