Through an MBA finance online degree, students curate a professional advantage and shape a lucrative, successful future. Affinities for number-crunching, organization, and strategic thinking are central to sustaining and leading organizations to financial success. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in business and finance are projected to rise 8 percent over the next 10 years, which is about as fast as the national average. This demand comes from a growing economy, big data and technological advances, allowing those in the field to provide higher quality analysis to a wide range of organizations. The added bonus of an online MBA program in finance is a curriculum covering a broad range of business topics, so graduates can offer services to their focused industry or branch out to new opportunities.
An MBA finance online degree increases one’s competitive edge in today’s rapidly expanding marketplace. However, it can be daunting to choose a program when the cost of tuition holds a $116,560 difference between the cheapest and most expensive schools.
GetEducated has surveyed 218 master’s degrees in finance and economics from 198 regionally accredited online schools for you. The “Best Buy” list below reveals the most economical MBA programs in finance in the US, providing the links to the highest caliber education for an affordable price. Review and compare fully researched online MBA finance options before taking the next step in an academic career.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$32,700
Least Expensive: Fayetteville State University ~$9,026.24
Most Expensive: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ~$125,589
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online MBA finance or economics degrees. The online finance, financial planning, investment, wealth management, banking and economics programs listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online MBA Finance
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fayetteville State University | (NC) | $9,026.24 $21,122.24 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Texas A & M International University | (TX) | $10,991.00 $30,900.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | (NC) | $11,025.15 $30,328.35 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | (TX) | $11,747.67 | All Students |
5 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $11,900.00 | All Students |
6 | University of Central Arkansas | (AR) | $12,016.80 | All Students |
7 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $12,132.00 | All Students |
8 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | (LA) | $12,474.00 | All Students |
9 | Lamar University | (TX) | $12,626.00 | All Students |
10 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | (LA) | $12,800.04 | All Students |
11 | Mississippi Valley State University | (MS) | $13,143.10 | All Students |
12 | University of Houston-Victoria | (TX) | $14,084.16 $26,324.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $14,472.00 | All Students |
14 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $14,744.00 $26,984.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Western Illinois University | (IL) | $14,787.30 | All Students |
16 | Wichita State University | (KS) | $15,335.28 | All Students |
17 | Eastern Washington University | (WA) | $15,400.00 | All Students |
18 | University of Illinois at Springfield | (IL) | $15,415.50 | All Students |
19 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $15,625.00 $10,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
20 | South College | (TN) | $16,000.00 | All Students |
21 | Southern Utah University | (UT) | $16,005.00 | All Students |
22 | Adams State University | (CO) | $16,300.80 | All Students |
23 | University of South Carolina-Aiken | (SC) | $16,885.12 | All Students |
24 | University of South Dakota | (SD) | $16,936.20 | All Students |
25 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | (TX) | $17,049.92 | All Students |
26 | Trine University | (IN) | $17,250.00 | All Students |
27 | Murray State University | (KY) | $17,640.00 | All Students |
28 | Ball State University | (IN) | $17,720.00 $24,815.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
29 | University of the Potomac | (DC) | $17,750.00 | All Students |
30 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $17,844.00 | All Students |
31 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $17,850.00 | All Students |
31 | Bowling Green State University | (OH) | $17,850.00 $18,180.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
33 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | (OH) | $17,928.00 | All Students |
34 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside | (WI) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
35 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $18,113.40 $45,771.48 | In-State Out-of-State |
36 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $18,200.00 | All Students |
37 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $18,220.00 | All Students |
38 | University of Central Missouri | (MO) | $18,540.00 | All Students |
39 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $18,960.00 $14,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
40 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | (NC) | $19,377.80 $29,815.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
41 | Southern Oregon University | (OR) | $19,500.00 | All Students |
42 | Post University | (CT) | $19,640.00 | All Students |
43 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | (MA) | $19,770.00 | All Students |
44 | Barry University | (FL) | $19,800.00 | All Students |
45 | University of Saint Mary | (KS) | $19,935.00 | All Students |
46 | Sam Houston State University | (TX) | $20,154.60 | All Students |
47 | Ohio Christian University | (OH) | $20,440.00 $10,360.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
48 | Waynesburg University | (PA) | $20,550.00 | All Students |
49 | Baker University | (KS) | $20,635.00 | All Students |
50 | University of Houston - Clear Lake | (TX) | $20,892.00 $39,684.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
51 | Claflin University | (SC) | $21,048.00 | All Students |
52 | Columbia International University | (SC) | $21,140.00 | All Students |
53 | Oklahoma Christian University | (OK) | $21,205.00 | All Students |
54 | University of Maine | (ME) | $21,450.00 | All Students |
55 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | (OK) | $21,530.00 | All Students |
56 | Friends University | (KS) | $21,978.00 | All Students |
57 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | (IL) | $22,104.00 | All Students |
58 | Clarion University of Pennsylvania (part of Pennsylvania Western University) Master of Business Administration / Finance AACSB,14 | (PA) | $22,327.80 $25,413.30 | In-State Out-of-State |
59 | Mississippi College | (MS) | $22,386.00 | All Students |
60 | University of the Southwest | (NM) | $22,500.00 | All Students |
61 | Pennsylvania Western University Master of Business Administration / Applied Economics ACBSP,14 | (PA) | $22,521.60 $24,429.60 $18,309.60 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
62 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $22,536.00 $23,328.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
63 | Metropolitan State University | (MN) | $22,542.72 | All Students |
64 | Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $22,570.00 $9,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
65 | Park University | (MO) | $22,895.00 $17,318.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
66 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
67 | University of Northwestern St. Paul | (MN) | $23,100.00 | All Students |
68 | McKendree University | (IL) | $23,225.00 | All Students |
69 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | (WI) | $23,472.00 | All Students |
70 | Ohio Dominican University | (OH) | $23,580.00 | All Students |
71 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | (TN) | $23,680.00 $25,372.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
72 | Southern Adventist University | (TN) | $23,760.00 | All Students |
73 | Salem University | (WV) | $23,800.00 $18,220.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
74 | Friends University | (KS) | $23,976.00 | All Students |
75 | Ottawa University | (KS) | $24,159.00 | All Students |
76 | Wright State University | (OH) | $24,255.00 $39,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
77 | Westcliff University | (CA) | $24,400.00 | All Students |
78 | University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $24,480.00 $14,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
79 | Lakeland University | (WI) | $24,732.00 | All Students |
80 | University of South Florida | (FL) | $24,750.00 | All Students |
81 | Cambridge College | (MA) | $24,928.00 $19,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
82 | Adrian College | (MI) | $24,950.00 | All Students |
83 | Cornerstone University | (MI) | $25,010.00 | All Students |
84 | Elizabethtown College | (PA) | $25,020.00 | All Students |
85 | Florida National University | (FL) | $25,040.00 $9,740.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
86 | Baker College | (MI) | $25,500.00 $13,800.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
87 | Belhaven University | (MS) | $25,760.00 $16,940.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
88 | Anderson University - IN | (IN) | $25,775.00 | All Students |
89 | Tiffin University | (OH) | $26,000.00 | All Students |
90 | St. Bonaventure University | (NY) | $26,367.00 | All Students |
91 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $26,770.00 $12,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
92 | Ashland University | (OH) | $27,000.00 | All Students |
93 | Central Michigan University | (MI) | $27,050.00 $25,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
94 | Elmhurst University | (IL) | $27,150.00 | All Students |
95 | Bethel University - MN | (MN) | $27,300.00 | All Students |
96 | La Salle University | (PA) | $27,310.00 | All Students |
97 | California State University-Stanislaus | (CA) | $27,600.00 | All Students |
98 | Assumption University | (MA) | $27,712.00 | All Students |
99 | Lynn University | (FL) | $27,750.00 | All Students |
100 | University of Massachusetts-Boston | (MA) | $27,816.40 | All Students |
101 | Tennessee Technological University | (TN) | $27,972.00 $33,012.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
102 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | (TX) | $28,124.00 $67,660.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
103 | Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $28,144.00 | All Students |
104 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $28,170.00 $32,895.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
105 | Azusa Pacific University | (CA) | $28,324.00 | All Students |
106 | Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $28,373.00 | All Students |
107 | University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $28,780.00 $33,968.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
108 | University of St Francis | (IL) | $29,348.00 | All Students |
109 | Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $29,412.00 | All Students |
110 | University of Hartford | (CT) | $29,424.00 | All Students |
111 | Mercer University | (GA) | $29,580.00 | All Students |
112 | Mount Mercy University | (IA) | $29,670.00 | All Students |
113 | Morgan State University | (MD) | $30,000.00 | All Students |
114 | Campbell University | (NC) | $30,430.00 | All Students |
115 | Russell Sage College | (NY) | $30,450.00 | All Students |
116 | University of La Verne | (CA) | $30,520.00 | All Students |
116 | Webster University | (MO) | $30,520.00 $14,920.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
118 | Notre Dame de Namur University | (CA) | $30,600.00 | All Students |
119 | Norwich University | (VT) | $30,738.00 | All Students |
120 | Washington State University | (WA) | $30,780.00 | All Students |
121 | University of the Incarnate Word | (TX) | $30,990.00 $7,590.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
122 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | (NE) | $31,200.00 | All Students |
123 | Maryville University | (MO) | $31,221.00 | All Students |
124 | Stetson University | (FL) | $31,500.00 | All Students |
125 | Marist College | (NY) | $31,520.00 | All Students |
126 | Regent University | (VA) | $31,600.00 $13,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
127 | Saint Francis University | (PA) | $31,695.00 | All Students |
128 | DeSales University | (PA) | $31,800.00 | All Students |
129 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $32,000.00 | All Students |
130 |  National University | (CA) | $32,180.00 | All Students |
131 | Florida Institute of Technology | (FL) | $32,256.00 $29,030.40 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
132 | University of Redlands | (CA) | $32,466.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Creighton University | (NE) | $33,243.00 | All Students | |
University of La Verne | (CA) | $33,280.00 | All Students | |
Cleary University | (MI) | $33,675.00 | All Students | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $34,440.00 | All Students | |
University of Baltimore | (MD) | $34,480.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $34,486.00 | All Students | |
 University of Scranton | (PA) | $34,740.00 | All Students | |
Montclair State University | (NJ) | $34,775.13 | All Students | |
 Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $34,800.00 | All Students | |
 Brenau University | (GA) | $35,025.00 | All Students | |
Monroe College | (NY) | $35,048.00 | All Students | |
Mercy College | (NY) | $35,656.00 | All Students | |
Berkeley College | (NJ) | $35,740.00 | All Students | |
Widener University | (PA) | $35,911.00 | All Students | |
The University of Texas at Dallas | (TX) | $35,918.00 $64,939.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
 Ohio University | (OH) | $36,120.00 $36,785.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Michigan - Dearborn | (MI) | $36,220.00 $58,304.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Davenport University | (MI) | $36,674.00 | All Students | |
Rider University | (NJ) | $36,780.00 | All Students | |
Dominican University | (IL) | $37,116.00 | All Students | |
Roosevelt University | (IL) | $37,404.00 | All Students | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $38,000.00 $38,570.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Centenary University | (NJ) | $38,221.00 | All Students | |
Alliance University Master of Business Administration / Finance 14 | (NY) | $38,590.00 | All Students | |
California Lutheran University | (CA) | $38,785.00 | All Students | |
University of New Hampshire | (NH) | $38,925.00 $44,205.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $38,952.00 | All Students | |
Loyola University Maryland | (MD) | $40,170.00 | All Students | |
Dallas Baptist University | (TX) | $40,244.00 | All Students | |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst | (MA) | $41,257.00 | All Students | |
University of Delaware | (DE) | $41,800.00 | All Students | |
Florida International University | (FL) | $42,000.00 | All Students | |
St. Thomas Aquinas College | (NY) | $42,240.00 | All Students | |
The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $42,264.00 | All Students | |
Molloy College | (NY) | $43,835.00 | All Students | |
Lehigh University | (PA) | $44,055.00 | All Students | |
Suffolk University | (MA) | $45,116.00 | All Students | |
Queens University of Charlotte | (NC) | $45,435.00 | All Students | |
City University of Seattle | (WA) | $45,900.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $46,988.00 $73,232.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Lawrence Technological University | (MI) | $47,118.00 | All Students | |
University of Dallas | (TX) | $49,010.00 | All Students | |
St. John's University | (NY) | $50,660.00 | All Students | |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $51,936.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $52,315.00 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $52,845.00 $23,325.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
The University of Texas at Dallas | (TX) | $53,000.00 | All Students | |
Pace University | (NY) | $53,865.00 | All Students | |
 Seton Hall University | (NJ) | $54,000.00 | All Students | |
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management | (IL) | $56,160.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,328.00 | All Students | |
University of Connecticut | (CT) | $59,850.00 | All Students | |
Temple University | (PA) | $62,561.00 | All Students | |
Bentley University | (MA) | $63,300.00 | All Students | |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $63,518.00 | All Students | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $63,994.00 $48,020.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Villanova University | (PA) | $67,882.00 | All Students | |
Stevens Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $70,144.00 | All Students | |
Indiana University Online | (IN) | $78,246.00 | All Students | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $82,000.00 | All Students | |
University of Denver | (CO) | $82,980.00 | All Students | |
Santa Clara University | (CA) | $83,860.00 | All Students | |
American University | (DC) | $86,976.00 | All Students | |
Babson College | (MA) | $89,550.00 | All Students | |
Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $89,600.00 | All Students | |
University of Maryland-College Park | (MD) | $91,746.00 | All Students | |
Syracuse University | (NY) | $93,636.00 | All Students | |
Pepperdine University | (CA) | $99,840.00 | All Students | |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | (NC) | $125,589.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB AACSB International
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online MBA finance programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an online MBA finance that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online MBA finance programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online MBA Finance
Whether you are working in finance and management, or simply want to build on your current education, an online MBA finance could lead to a wonderful career.
What to Expect from an Online MBA Finance
Finance is a term that is applied to a variety of activities that involve money. It’s the study of investments and management of valuable property, and in can include public, corporate, and personal finance. It’s also the study of the systems of money.
This area of study is rooted in scientific fields, such as statistics, economics, and math. However, there are also artistic and theoretical issues, such as management principles, behavioral economics, and negotiations.
An online MBA finance program is a good education for people who enjoy problem solving, can pay strict attention to detail, and enjoy using numbers and information to make decisions. You need strong math skills, which should have been developed in previous studies. You also need a comfort with complex sets if information.
Throughout online MBA finance programs, you’ll learn numerous skills that make you an important asset for individuals and organizations. You’ll not only learn the fundamental principles and theories of economics, you’ll gain a functional understanding of investment markets, portfolio valuation, and the tools used in financial careers.
Depending on the program, you may also learn valuable information on financial history, such as the Great Depression and numerous recessions and market scares throughout the centuries. You may also learn about the financial issues surrounding certain types of assets, such as real estate.
Classes will vary by program, so you’ll want to review the curriculum before enrolling in an MBA finance online degree. However, you can expect the format to be divided into two sections. The first, which is the larger section, is the core MBA classes. This will include broad-level, all-purpose classes that can apply to any management or business career. Core courses could include business law, accounting, business analytics, operations management, and strategic management.
Eventually you will take classes that are part of the finance specialization. These courses will emphasize financial issues, such as international trade, investing strategies, and financial organization. Classes could include decisions in finance, ethics of financial management, and the important systems or organizations in the financial sector.
Potential Careers After Studying Finance
After completing an MBA finance online degree, you’ll be prepared for many high-demand, high-paying jobs. Because this is a business administration degree, you’ll have management and leadership skills that can apply to any industry. But you’ll also have a strong knowledge in finance that can be useful for a few specific careers.
Financial Advisor
- Salary: $89,330
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: None
Building a retirement. Saving for college. Choosing an investment strategy. These are all complex issues, issues that are often difficult for individuals who are not educated in finance and economics. Fortunately, there are financial advisors waiting to help.
These professionals provide an assortment of services, but their overall goal is to guide the financial decisions of couples and individuals. (Although some provide service to organizations, including business and non-profits.)
The median pay for this career is strong, but this is also a job where the top professionals can earn an outstanding salary. The BLS says that the top 10% in this career earn over $208,000 a year.
Although there are some on-the-job training requirements, most of these positions don’t require previous experience. So you can go from student to financial advisor in very little time. Once you have some experience, however, you could move from an advisor into a financial management career.
Financial Manager
- Salary: $134,180
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over five years
While financial advisors provide support (mostly) to individuals, financial managers provide advice, guidance, and leadership to organizations. They create reports, direct investments, and develop short- and long-term plans that help a business or organization succeed.
Financial advisors often report to top executives while leading financial teams. This means that the job often requires leadership and communication skills, which are developed in an MBA program. With an MBA finance online degree, you’ll be prepared for all the aspects of this high-level career.
Requirements for Working in Financial Careers
Most management careers will not require licensing. However, many financial careers do. If you are going to buy and sell investments on a client’s behalf, you need to be properly licensed. Licensing is usually done through the state where you work. While accounting and finance are different disciplines, if you work in accounting you may also need a CPA license.
Certifications, while voluntary, could boost your career. Financial managers could benefit from the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation or the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.