2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Finance

Georgetown University is a private, nonprofit, and a Catholic/Jesuit-affiliated institution. It offers two online master’s programs in finance: (1) Master of Science in Finance (14.5 credit hours) and (2) Executive Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulation (24 credit hours). Overall, it can take 10-21 months to complete the first program and 1 ½ to 3 years to complete the second program.

Georgetown facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the learning management system (LMS) Canvas. A master’s in finance curriculum provides practical business applications. Sample courses include Exempt Securities Offerings, Corporate Finance, and Big Data. The first program requires a two-day in-person orientation visit, a week-long in-person residency, and a capstone project. Graduates' prospective careers include finance directors, financial planners, and quantitative analysts.

Northeastern University Global Network is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Science in Finance that totals 30 credit hours. Part-time students can complete the program in just 16 months. Prospective students can choose two tracks: (1) Corporate Finance or (2) Investments.

Northeastern facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via the Canvas LMS. The program’s curriculum delivers coursework to help students become financial experts. The program’s online courses include Investment Analysis, Financial Strategy, and International Financial Management. Students can also expect to complete a seminar. Graduates may enter careers like chief financial officers, financial risk managers, and controllers.

At Boston University (BU) — a private, nonprofit institution — prospective students can pursue an online Master of Science in Financial Management requiring 40 credit hours. The program lasts between 18-24 months, and it offers two concentrations: (1) International Finance and (2) Investment Analysis.

BU students complete their online coursework, which is delivered asynchronously and synchronously, through Blackboard. The financial management degree at the graduate level hones in on the globalization of finance, covering international finance and similar topics. Sample courses include Financial Regulation and Ethics, Corporate Finance, and Quantitative Methods for Finance. Potential careers for graduates include financial managers, economists, and financial examiners.

Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) is a private, nonprofit, and Catholic institution that offers an online Master of Science in Finance totaling 30 credit hours. Full-time students may take at least a year and a half to complete this program, which offers three tracks: (1) Financial Analysis, (2) Financial Planning, and (3) Real Estate Finance.

SJU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning on Canvas. The online finance program gives students access to the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the ever-changing field of finance. Some of the program’s courses are Shareholder Value Management, Financial Institutions and Capital Market, and Portfolio Management. The Financial Planning track, specifically, requires a capstone course as well. Alumni can pursue careers like budget analysts, financial controllers, and public accountants.

La Salle University (La Salle) is a private, nonprofit, and Catholic institution that offers an online Master of Business Administration - Finance totaling 39 credit hours. Depending on whether students choose to take on a part- or full-time course load, the program can take anywhere from 14-16 months.

La Salle facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Canvas. The program’s curriculum prepares students to pursue careers in management and finance, with courses such as Financial Analysis, Global Financial Management, and Business Economics for Managers. Additionally, a capstone course is required for graduation. Prospective careers for graduates include securities analysts, accountants, and finance managers.

At Pennsylvania State University, students can earn a Master of Finance online. The school uses a cohort model, meaning that small groups of students begin the program together and progress through the program at the same pace, allowing them to build professional relationships with each other. The 33-credit hour program includes courses on accounting theory, quantitative methods, financial modeling, investments, and strategic decision-making, as well as a culminating statistical research project. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for Chartered Financial Analyst or Certified Financial Planning certification.

This public institution uses the Canvas learning system to deliver its online courses. The school provides tutoring and other academic resources for distance learners.

The private, non-profit Seton Hall University (SHU) offers an online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance that requires the completion of 40 credit hours. Core courses in the program provide an in-depth coverage of all functional areas of business while learning activities help students develop essential management, analytical, and communication skills. The twin themes of ethical leadership and transformational practice are woven throughout the program.

SHU students access course materials and network with their peers through the Blackboard learning management system. Online students can take advantage of the school's many student services, which include academic advising, library resources, and career coaching.

The University of Michigan (UM) - Dearborn, a public university, offers several online options for students who want an advanced degree in finance. The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance provides a broad overview of all aspects of business with additional courses on finance, such as Corporate Valuation and Strategy, Investment Process and Analysis, and Banking and Insurance. The Master of Science in Finance is more focused on finance specifically. Enrollees in this program can choose to concentrate on corporate finance or investments. Finally, UM offers a dual Master of Business Administration / Master of Science in Finance that combines elements of both programs.

At UM, online students participate in group learning activities and submit assignments through the Canvas learning platform.

At the private, non-profit Johns Hopkins University, online students can choose one of three finance-related master's programs. The Master of Science in Finance is designed to prepare graduates for the Certified Financial Planning certification by exploring financial theory and building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Courses in the Master of Science in Financial Economics include econometrics, statistics, and forecasting for those students who want to become financial economists. Finally, the Master of Science in Financial Mathematics teaches students to use engineering-driven principles to develop advanced quantitative and managerial skills in finance.

Johns Hopkins is an extremely competitive university that accepts only 8% of applicants. The school delivers its online courses through the Canvas system, and it provides academic and career services for distance learners.

The law school at Texas A&M University - College Station, which is a public institution, offers a unique online degree — a Master of Laws in Wealth Management. Both lawyers and non-lawyers can apply for the program, and graduates typically go on to careers as financial advisors, business analysts, wealth managers, and chief financial officers. The curriculum covers taxation, investments, estate planning, and other finance topics, always viewed through the lens of laws and regulations.

Texas A&M's law school students access their online courses through the Canvas learning management platform. Students view course content, submit assignments, and network with peers through this system.