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Why Earn a Master's in Finance?
If you’ve already earned a bachelors, an online master’s in finance is a great next step to help you earn top-dollar in your industry. You could also use this higher-level degree to help you move from one industry to another or as your first step into a secondary career in teaching. You could get into investment banking, earn a position at the top of a firm that already exists, start teaching in a business school, or start your own accounting firm. With a master’s, your previous limitations will cease to be an issue. Or, if you haven’t earned your bachelor’s yet, you could always enter a combined bachelor’s/master’s program and get a head start on your future career. Skip years of necessary experience by earning both degrees in less than the usual 6 years you’d need to earn them separately. These are all available in traditional and online classrooms. The choices are yours.
PROS
- Earn a higher salary than with a bachelor’s
- Expand your job options
- The ability to earn more certificates
- Higher level of respect
- Ability to earn a doctorate
- Finance is one of the most popular degrees earned, and therefore, the industry will be more competitive. A master’s will help you earn your place.
- You will be confident and prepared, with all the skills you need
Like everything else in the world, there are pros and cons to earning a degree, whether it's earned online, on campus, or in a hybrid program (with online and in-person learning). It’s always a good idea to take a look at your options before committing to anything. While the pros are nice to know about, your main concern should be with the cons, if you can’t get past one of them you may have to switch your goals. For instance, if you must have a certain grade point average and you don’t have anywhere near that score, you may need to rethink your educational plans.
Some of the pros of earning a master’s degree in finance are:
CONS
- A lesser return on investment is possible
- Takes longer to earn than a lower level degree
- Earning a master’s in finance includes complex courses and a lot of focus
Another thing that’s great about being able to look at the pros and cons of things before signing up is that it gives you an idea of what you can expect, as well as what is required so that you can decide if the benefits outweigh the bad. For example, one of the pros is that you can expand your job options, but, as you’ll see, it also takes longer to earn a master’s than it does a bachelor’s. You’ll need to decide whether or not having more job options is worth your time. Of course, there won’t be many cons when it comes to earning any kind of online degree, since learning and increasing your education pretty much always pays off.
What are the Best Online Master of Science in Finance (M.Fin.) Programs?
Harvard University
Harvard University is in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the US. Founded in 1636, Harvard is one of the eight Ivy League universities within the United States. Harvard has an impressive and one of the highest retention rates of 97% and overall graduation rates of 98%. Some of the most popular programs at Harvard are architecture, biological sciences, business, education, health, public administration, and social sciences. The average salary according to Payscale for Harvard graduates is around $94,000 per year.
- Net Price: $18,037
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 98%
- Total Enrollment: 30,391
- Undergrad Students: 8,527
- Graduate Students: 21,864
- Diplomas Awarded: 148
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 5:1
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is a private, not-for-profit university, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Johns Hopkins was founded in 1876. It’s located in a large city, where students can sightsee and visit plenty of interesting, off-campus locations. The campus itself is spacious and large - students can live in dorms and can choose to earn a certificate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. And, despite being located in a large city, the school offers a 6 to 1 student-to-faculty ration, and 97% and 94% retention rate and graduation rate, respectively.
- Net Price: $25,241
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 28,890
- Undergrad Students: 6,331
- Graduate Students: 22,559
- Diplomas Awarded: 547
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Purdue University
Purdue is one of the top names in higher education, with their main campus located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school is known as a pioneer in many ways, but their online platform, Purdue Global, is bringing their highly esteemed instruction to students far and wide. In-state tuition is $9,900 and out-of-state tuition is significantly higher at $28,700. It also has a high 82% graduation rate. Salaries are $77,200 on average for graduates and students can choose any degree from an associate's to doctoral level.
- Net Price: $12,294
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 46,655
- Undergrad Students: 35,706
- Graduate Students: 10,949
- Diplomas Awarded: 32
- Grads Salary: $77,300
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, located in College Park, MD is just outside of Washington, DC and is a renowned research university. With an enrollment of just over 41,000 and 14,000 faculty members, the university provides students with a vast array of academic and athletic opportunities. Of the 41,000 students, nearly 30,000 are enrolled in an undergraduate program, though the school offers degrees from the associate level up to the doctoral level.
- Net Price: $17,643
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 40709
- Undergrad Students: 30875
- Graduate Students: 9834
- Diplomas Awarded: 70
- Grads Salary: $78,200
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Georgetown University
Georgetown University (GU) is an excellent educational institution and has been rated as one of the top schools in the entire country, founded in 1789, is located in the Washington D.C. area. Many graduates of Georgetown University go on to be very successful in government or law enforcement, serving the American public in many ways. Georgetown University provides high education learning at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree levels for 40 majors. GU has a student population over 19,500 with an acceptance rate of 17% and an overall graduation rate of 94%.
- Net Price: $30,710
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 19,371
- Undergrad Students: 7,357
- Graduate Students: 12,014
- Diplomas Awarded: 104
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology is a private, not-for-profit university celebrating 150 years in education. The higher learning institution is home to over 3,400 undergraduates and a total of nearly 7,000 students and 300 faculty at all degree levels. At Stevens, students have the opportunity to work on teams of an interdisciplinary nature as a way to experience collaboration, innovation, project management, teamwork, passion, anticipation, and learning to work well with others. Students at Stevens will have access to entrepreneurship courses, as well as co-ops and internships. It is possible to complete bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs.
- Net Price: $40,303
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 7,257
- Undergrad Students: 3,791
- Graduate Students: 3,466
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $89,800
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Boston University
Boston University (BU) is one of the largest private, not-for-profit higher learning institutions in the US with more than 35,000 students and over 300 programs. Boston University is a public research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was established in 1839 by former Methodists with its first campus at Newbury, Vermont. As the name suggests, BU has been a part of the Christian education movement since its beginnings. this university has a retention rate of 94% and an overall graduation rate of 89%.
- Net Price: $29,154
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 32,718
- Undergrad Students: 16,872
- Graduate Students: 15,846
- Diplomas Awarded: 254
- Grads Salary: $79,100
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is located in the heart of innovation central, also known as Silicon Valley, with 5,520 undergraduate students and 8,642 in total when you include graduate students. The more than 300 days of sun each year likely helps contribute to the 94% retention rate along with a desirable 11 to 1 ratio of students to instructors. A large percentage of students select Santa Clara for the balance of social consciousness and technology innovation in all coursework. The goal of the university is to produce future leaders who think at a global scale with an entrepreneurial directive along with the encouragement of creativity, incorporation of technology, and engagement with various communities. Such accomplishments begin in the classroom in specialized degree programs including business analytics, psychology, sustainable engineering, theater, and more.
- Net Price: $48,284
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 8,616
- Undergrad Students: 5,608
- Graduate Students: 3,008
- Diplomas Awarded: 5
- Grads Salary: $89,800
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Indiana University-Bloomington
Indiana University-Bloomington is a four-year public college located in Bloomington, Indiana. IU was founded in 1820. Its Bloomington campus is the flagship institution, leading seven other campuses, as well as two regional centers. The school offers a (bachelor’s and master’s) degree in ________, though in-state students will have a leg up on tuition, which is $10,900 while out-of-state tuition is $36,500. Still, the school has a 79% graduation rate and graduate’s salaries are $68,600 on average. The campus and town offer lots of cultural events and are also close to a national forest and state park.
- Net Price: $13,191
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 43,064
- Undergrad Students: 32,986
- Graduate Students: 10,078
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $69,300
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Northeastern University
As a new student to Northeastern University, you’ll be attending a large university and living in a large town; Boston is the capital and most populous city in Massachusetts. Northeastern University was founded in 1898 and has six satellite campuses as well. The student-to-faculty ratio is solid at 14 to 1, which is comfortable for both students and professors. The university is a private, not-for-profit focused on teaching its 22,000+ students everything they need to succeed.
- Net Price: $37,738
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Total Enrollment: 22,905
- Undergrad Students: 15,156
- Graduate Students: 7,749
- Diplomas Awarded: 40
- Grads Salary: $78,800
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university located in Fairfax, VA, in the greater Washington, D.C. area. GMU was established in 1956 by the University of Virginia system. The school later broke from the UVA system in and became its own entity. Today, George Mason boasts over 37,000 students and is the largest public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. GMU also provides top programs for graduate students that span the full spectrum of academic and professional interests, including creative writing, STEM, economics, business, healthcare, and more.
- Net Price: $18,285
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 38,541
- Undergrad Students: 27,104
- Graduate Students: 11,437
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $75,500
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
The University of Massachusetts campus in the city of Lowell is a four-year, public higher learning institution founded in 1894 as Lowell State College. It merged with Lowell Tech Institute in 1975. All but around 4,000 of the roughly 18,000 students are studying at the undergraduate level. Offerings include around 110 majors overall, with them spread across associate's, bachelor's, master's, and private practice- or research-focused doctorate degrees. The school also offers less than one year, postbaccalaureate, and post-master's certificates.
- Net Price: $19,147
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 18,150
- Undergrad Students: 13,813
- Graduate Students: 4,337
- Diplomas Awarded: 26
- Grads Salary: $76,600
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-profit institution of higher education located in Coral Gables, a suburb of Miami, Florida. Students can study in one of 11 possible colleges which offer a total of 180 undergraduate majors and other programs. They also offer a wide range of graduate degrees, including law and medicine. First-year students can kick off degrees in fields such as philosophy, pre-law, pre-medical, education, engineering, or finance, to name a few.
- Net Price: $31,726
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 17,809
- Undergrad Students: 11,334
- Graduate Students: 6,475
- Diplomas Awarded: 32
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Auburn University
Auburn University is one of Alabama's best academic institutions. Founded in 1856, the institution became the South's first land-grant college in 1872. With 24,600+ undergraduate and 4,700+ graduate students, over 30,000 altogether, Auburn is a large institution. With 14 colleges and schools that each encompass a wide range of degrees and programs, Auburn students never lack for an outlet for curiosity and research. They can also enjoy a 91% retention rate and an excellent 79% graduation rate.
- Net Price: $24,028
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 30,737
- Undergrad Students: 24,505
- Graduate Students: 6,232
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $70,800
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Molloy College
- Net Price: $27,454
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 5,115
- Undergrad Students: 3,510
- Graduate Students: 1,605
- Diplomas Awarded: 30
- Grads Salary: $76,200
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
The Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University's campus in University Park, PA is one of the nation's top public academic institutions. In fact, Penn State is considered to be an ivy league caliber institution. PSU's 76,000 undergraduate students are in pursuit of over 600 programs that include 275 majors, 200 minors, and 100 undergraduate certificates. The university also offers 20 associate degrees. Furthermore, since Penn State is a publicly funded institution, students have multiple campuses to choose from. If they need to spend time closer to home, they are sure to find one of the system's 20 campuses nearby. If not, PSU has copious offerings online. PSU's World Campus offers over 150 distance learning programs that lead to degrees or certificates.
- Net Price: $25,548
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 89,816
- Undergrad Students: 74,446
- Graduate Students: 15,370
- Diplomas Awarded: 23
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Creighton University
Creighton University's campus is in Omaha, Nebraska and is one of the older colleges in the state, having been founded in 1878, over 140 years ago. Creighton University offers associate, bachelor’s, master's, and research and professional practice doctoral degrees, as well as <1 year, 1-2 year, postbaccalaureate, and post-master's certificates. These include departments in biomedical, business, education, foreign leanguage, health professions, social sciences, visual performing arts, and more. The student population here is mid-size to large, with around 8,800 students enrolled each year.
- Net Price: $32,355
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 8,770
- Undergrad Students: 4,458
- Graduate Students: 4,312
- Diplomas Awarded: 6
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit university located in Dallas, TX. It’s a medium to large size school with 6,700 undergraduate students and almost as many in the graduate schools. For undergrads, SMU offers 100 majors and 85 minors so that students can find the exact course of study for them. SMU's departments include arts, business, engineering, and humanities & sciences. This range of major fields results in a diverse student body that is stimulating and enriching for peers and faculty alike.
- Net Price: $41,444
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 12,373
- Undergrad Students: 6,827
- Graduate Students: 5,546
- Diplomas Awarded: 89
- Grads Salary: $81,300
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Missouri's Columbia campus was founded in 1893. It is a four-year, public land grant research institution located in Columbia, Missouri, near the middle of the state. Despite being founded in the late 1800's, they have moved into the modern era with both undergraduate and graduate programs offered through distance learning as well as weekend, evening, and study abroad options. This Missouri university is a huge school with over 31,000 students enrolled; around 23,400 are undergraduates.
- Net Price: $16,930
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 31,089
- Undergrad Students: 23,383
- Graduate Students: 7,706
- Diplomas Awarded: 12
- Grads Salary: $67,500
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a large, public university founded in 1870. The school is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is not far from Denver, the borders of Wyoming and Nebraska, and the foothills of the Rocky National Park. The student population is 33,000+, with close to 80% of those being undergraduates, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1.
- Net Price: $17,609
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 32,428
- Undergrad Students: 24,792
- Graduate Students: 7,636
- Diplomas Awarded: 132
- Grads Salary: $69,100
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Michigan-Dearborn
The University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) is one of two regional campuses of the University of Michigan that was first established in 1959. UM-Dearborn provides more than 100 undergraduate majors and 40 master's programs for its roughly 9,000 students. This includes programs in ___________. On-campus, students experience a 16 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and can expect an excellent 81% retention rate.
- Net Price: $12,639
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 8,783
- Undergrad Students: 6,725
- Graduate Students: 2,058
- Diplomas Awarded: 17
- Grads Salary: $73,400
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a public institution in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819, the school serves over 39,000 students annually. In addition to undergraduate majors in the humanities and sciences, students can enroll in master’s degrees and PhD programs in fields of study such as Architecture, Business Administration, Engineering, and Medicine.As part of their many services, the University of Cincinnati also offers comprehensive career coaching for undergraduates, graduates, and alumni. They assist with everything from exploring different career paths to providing strategic advice on job searches.
- Net Price: $22,767
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 40,826
- Undergrad Students: 29,933
- Graduate Students: 10,893
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $70,500
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
The University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma's Norman campus is located right in the middle of the state. UO - Norman students enjoy a sprawling campus life that features 150+ bachelor's degrees, 160+ master's degrees, and 75 doctorate programs. Subject areas include biological ciences, communication, education, and eengineering, among many others. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, UO-Norman students are assured a solid on-campus learning environment. The University of Oklahoma also offers opportunities for online learning in a variety of fields.
- Net Price: $21,836
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 27,772
- Undergrad Students: 21,383
- Graduate Students: 6,389
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $70,100
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Saint Joseph's University
Saint Joseph’s University is a private, Jesuit, higher learning institution founded in 1851. The university is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, not far from parks and the New Jersey border. The student body has almost 5,000 undergrads and over 2,500 graduate students. A student-to-educator ratio of 11 to 1 helps secure a great graduation rate of 81%. All types of students are welcome at Saint Joseph’s including international students, first-year students, first-generation students, non-traditional students, and transfer students. The university has established transfer policies to make changing schools to Saint Joseph’s easier and more flexible. Students can complete undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs with dozens of minors and majors.
- Net Price: $35,780
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 6,779
- Undergrad Students: 4,299
- Graduate Students: 2,480
- Diplomas Awarded: 49
- Grads Salary: $73,400
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln, Nebraska covers 613 acres and enrolls 25,000+ students. UN-Lincoln students enjoy a decent student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1, an excellent retention rate of 81%, and a graduation rate of 66%, which is around the national average. The students have access to certificates, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees focused on professional practice or research. These degrees are available from around 150 undergraduate programs and 100 graduate programs, among other options.
- Net Price: $17,341
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 25,108
- Undergrad Students: 20,286
- Graduate Students: 4,822
- Diplomas Awarded: 3
- Grads Salary: $67,700
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Wyoming
Founded in 1886, the University of Wyoming is located in city of Laramie. It is a public, 4-year institution that offers certificate programs, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees, and doctorates. it's located in a rural area and many of the students reside on campus. Others reside at home with family or at their own residences. The student population sits at around 12,200+, with 9,807 students enrolled in their undergraduate programs. The student population is close to equal in gender, and the most popular programs at the university are agriculture, biology, and business administration.
- Net Price: $12,224
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 11,829
- Undergrad Students: 9,342
- Graduate Students: 2,487
- Diplomas Awarded: 12
- Grads Salary: $67,700
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Houston-Clear Lake
The University of Houston at Clear Lake is a medium-sized, public higher learning institution located in Houston quite near an actual lake called Clear Lake that leads to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also a neighbor to NASA, the Space Center, and the Armand Bayou Nature Center. This university has one of the most prestigious zip codes for any student in pursuit of STEM-based degree program. The school was founded in 1974Students will be able to select from over 90 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. While STEM programs are some of the most popular at the university, many students also pursue business, education, and human sciences or humanities. and it has over 9,000 students, 6,000+ of whom are undergraduates.
- Net Price: $14,667
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 9,053
- Undergrad Students: 6,582
- Graduate Students: 2,471
- Diplomas Awarded: 7
- Grads Salary: $73,100
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private, not-for-profit, Catholic and Jesuit institution located in Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1888 and is deeply invested in delivering transformative education grounded in the liberal arts. With spirituality at the core of its mission, the university is characterized by a restless pursuit of excellence, individual student attention, and respect for uniqueness. The school's 5,000+ students can choose to earn assocaite's, bachelor's, master's, or even doctoral degrees in a variety of majors.
- Net Price: $36,093
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 4,957
- Undergrad Students: 3,658
- Graduate Students: 1,299
- Diplomas Awarded: 17
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Oklahoma Christian University
In Edmond, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Christian University offers more than just on-campus classes, including online learning options for undergraduate and graduate programs and study abroad programs. This private, not-for-profit university offers its small student population of over 2,000 <1 to 1-year certificates, bachelor's degrees, postbaccalaureate certificates, and master's degrees in a variety of fields. Their programs include majors in biology and biological sciences, business, accounting, communication, computer science, education, engineering, health professions, and more.
- Net Price: $20,761
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 2,055
- Undergrad Students: 1,755
- Graduate Students: 300
- Diplomas Awarded: 24
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Missouri-St. Louis
The University of Missouri's St Louis is a public research institution in the University of Missouri System offering 1-2 year and various other certificates, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees focused on research or professional practice. The student population is mid-size to large, with around 16,000 students enrolled each year. Degrees are offered to students in a variety of departments and programs, the most popular of which are business management and marketing, health professions and related programs, psychology, social services, and education.
- Net Price: $10,039
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 13,874
- Undergrad Students: 10,973
- Graduate Students: 2,901
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $64,600
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Webster University
St. Louis Missouri's Webster University is one of the more unique institutions of higher learning in the nation. Not only do their graduate students outnumber their undergraduates by nearly 2 to 1, but they also support a very wide range of students. Where most universities lean more to the liberal arts or the hard sciences, Webster does both very well. For instance, Webster supports a large number of BFA programs, primarily in the theater arts, but they also have a cutting-edge cyber security program. Students can pursue business, mathematics, education, economics, and criminal justice, among many other choices.
- Net Price: $23,548
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 9,860
- Undergrad Students: 2,832
- Graduate Students: 7,028
- Diplomas Awarded: 67
- Grads Salary: $75,400
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Net Price: $12,522
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 11,989
- Undergrad Students: 10,423
- Graduate Students: 1,566
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Nova Southeastern University
You may have chosen Nova Southeastern University because of its degree programs, commitment to high-quality education, or for its warm sunny location in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. NSU is a private, not-for-profit college that was founded in 1964 and has, over the past 55+ years, grown to the point that they now enroll 20,500+ students. The school's student-to-faculty ratio is still solid at 17 to 1. Their retention rate is 81% and the graduation rate is 62%, both of which are over the national average.
- Net Price: $26,317
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 20,888
- Undergrad Students: 6,314
- Graduate Students: 14,574
- Diplomas Awarded: 20
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of North Carolina Wilmington
UNC - Wilmington offers bachelor's through doctoral degrees for their 17,000+ enrolled students each year, as well as a decent 18 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. They're also a relatively inexpensive option, partially because they are a public NC school and partially because of their excellent financial aid office. On top of this, US News & World Report’s ranks UNCW as one of the top 10 online bachelor’s degree program offering universities in the country.
- Net Price: $17,946
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 17,915
- Undergrad Students: 14,650
- Graduate Students: 3,265
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $60,100
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Aspen University
Aspen University is located in the city of Denver, Colorado, the state capital. It's location in a large town likely helps their enrollment numbers; around 9,500 students are enrolled each year. These students can choose to earn either associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in nearly 20 majors, many of which are focused on business and mnagement, computer science, and health professions. Tuition is inexpensive, with a net price of just under $12,000.
- Net Price: $11,779
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 18%
- Total Enrollment: 9,563
- Undergrad Students: 6,399
- Graduate Students: 3,164
- Diplomas Awarded: 11
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
University of Colorado Denver
From its name, University of Colorado Denver, which also holds the Anschutz Medical Campus, sounds like it’s a university for medical students who have already earned their bachelor’s degrees in pre-med studies. But this large university does include undergraduate students and it also has other majors that aren’t immediately related to medical or even mental health concerns. As a new student, you would be heading to one of the largest cities in Colorado. The university campus is also large, housing a total student population of right around 24,900. In addition, of the entire student population, 64% of the students are undergraduates. So, you’re definitely welcome here.
- Net Price: $15,585
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 24,723
- Undergrad Students: 14,994
- Graduate Students: 9,729
- Diplomas Awarded: 16
- Grads Salary: $72,700
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Rowan University
- Net Price: $24,810
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 19,678
- Undergrad Students: 15,963
- Graduate Students: 3,715
- Diplomas Awarded: 5
- Grads Salary: $65,400
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago, or LUC, is one of the largest Catholic universities in the Unites States. Located, unsurprisingly, in Chicago and established in 1870, the school offers certificates at every level, associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees in professional practice and research to its 17,000+ students. Their student-to-faculty ratio is relatively low at 14 to 1 and their retention rate and graduation rates are also great, 85% and 76%, respectively - which is well above the national average.
- Net Price: $37,731
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 16,893
- Undergrad Students: 11,612
- Graduate Students: 5,281
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
West Texas A&M University
WTAMU is a 4-year public institution located in Canyon, Texas, just south of the town of Amarillo. However, despite it being in an out-of-the-way area, it enrolls nearly 10,000 students each year. These students have a decent student-to-teacher ratio and retention rate; these are 18 to 1 and 68%. The school is part of the Texas A&M system and provide their students with around 70 majors in a variety of fields.
- Net Price: $13,105
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 10,036
- Undergrad Students: 7,326
- Graduate Students: 2,710
- Diplomas Awarded: 68
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Concordia University-Wisconsin
In Mequon, Wisconsin, Concordia University's Wisconsin campus provides a wide variety of associate, bachelor's, master's, and research or practice focused doctoral degrees, as well as 1-2 year and post-master's certificate programs. Mequon is a suburb of Milwaukee on the northern side of that large city. This school is part of the Concordia University System operated by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. The school educates around 5,500 students, with 3,100 undergraduates and the rest being graduate students. Students can expect a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
- Net Price: $24,569
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 5,492
- Undergrad Students: 3,094
- Graduate Students: 2,398
- Diplomas Awarded: 14
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Northwood University
Northwood University is a small, private university founded in 1959. It is located in the small city of Midland, Michigan, which is right around the middle of the state. The school has a student body population of just over 2,500, nearly all of whom are undergraduates, though students can choose to earn associate's, bacheor's, postbaccalaureate certificates, master's, or doctoral degrees (research).
- Net Price: $21,348
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,541
- Undergrad Students: 2,254
- Graduate Students: 287
- Diplomas Awarded: NA
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Davenport University
Davenport University is a small, private, not-for-profit university founded in 1866. It is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Not only do they offer on-campus certificates, associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, but they have also been trailblazing in online learning for 20 years with their global campus and they provide other learning locations in campuses throughout the state. Students at the Grand Rapids campus can enjoy the 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 76% retention rate.
- Net Price: $18,333
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 6,127
- Undergrad Students: 4,999
- Graduate Students: 1,128
- Diplomas Awarded: 1
- Grads Salary: $62,300
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas was founded in 1889 and is a public research institute that is part of the Texas A&M University System. It’s most popular fields of study are business and marketing, multi/interdisciplinary studies, education, computer information sciences, and liberal arts and sciences, which are among nearly 70 majors offered at A&M - Commerce. Students may study these majors and more in order to earn bachelor's, master's, and research-focused doctorate degrees.
- Net Price: $12,853
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 12,249
- Undergrad Students: 8,349
- Graduate Students: 3,900
- Diplomas Awarded: 28
- Grads Salary: $63,900
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Strayer University-Florida
- Net Price: $22,156
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 2,122
- Undergrad Students: 1,766
- Graduate Students: 356
- Diplomas Awarded: 5
- Grads Salary: $57,000
- Student-to-faculty: 28:1
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University has long been one of the most prominent educational institutions in both Rhode Island and the nation. The Providence campus became nationally known for its culinary arts program, on top of its business, health & wellness, engineering, and arts & sciences degree programs. For years, students flocked to their campus in Providence, Rhode Island where they became leaders in their chosen industries. JWU Online offers students degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
- Net Price: $29,560
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 5,676
- Undergrad Students: 5,120
- Graduate Students: 556
- Diplomas Awarded: 12
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
SUNY Empire State College
SUNY Empire State College is a public, four-year educational institution. Its student population is over 10,400 and the student-to-faculty ratio is quite good at 15 to 1. Students choosing to attend SUNY Empire State College will have chosen an institution that is part of the State University of New York system, which will give them easy transfer to most of the other schools in the system. Students are not offered on-campus housing, but they can earn degrees from certificates or associate's through bachelor's or master's degrees.
- Net Price: $12,059
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 27%
- Total Enrollment: 10,724
- Undergrad Students: 9,145
- Graduate Students: 1,579
- Diplomas Awarded: 3
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a medium sized institution with a student body of more than 8,000 undergraduate students and approximately 3,000 spread through the graduate schools. The school is at the forefront of educational technology and thus offers its students the opportunity to study in the traditional campus setting, online, or both whether they are looking to earn an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree.
- Net Price: $15,629
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 23%
- Total Enrollment: 13,059
- Undergrad Students: 9,665
- Graduate Students: 3,394
- Diplomas Awarded: 9
- Grads Salary: $72,500
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Concordia University-Chicago
Concordia University's Chicago campus is a small, private institution located in River Forest, a suburb outside of Chicago. Originally established in 1864 to exclusively for teacher education, the school still offers around 30 separate majors in teacher education across several degree levels. The school is a member of the Concordia University System and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church. The university also now offers education in business administration, health professions, social sciences, and more.
- Net Price: $17,363
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 6,491
- Undergrad Students: 1,538
- Graduate Students: 4,953
- Diplomas Awarded: 15
- Grads Salary: $54,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Brenau University
Brenau University is a private, four-year, not-for-profit university located in gainesville, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta. The campus is home to more than 2,800 students, around 1,700 of which are undergraduate students. Students can earn some of the available degrees (associate's to doctor's degrees) through distance education. The school also boasts a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and the majority of classes have around 20 students per class.
- Net Price: $21,715
- Retention Rate: 53%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 2,813
- Undergrad Students: 1,710
- Graduate Students: 1,103
- Diplomas Awarded: 3
- Grads Salary: $63,700
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Liberty University
- Net Price: $28,762
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 93,349
- Undergrad Students: 47,988
- Graduate Students: 45,361
- Diplomas Awarded: 1,408
- Grads Salary: $56,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Overview of an Online Master's in Finance
What Finance Master’s Degrees are Available?
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance:
Studying for an MBA will include core classes in finance, management, accounting, business law, and marketing. It will take one to two years of graduate training to obtain an MBA, which can qualify you for a chief executive position in finance. - Master of Finance:
Also known as a Master of Science in Finance (MSF), this graduate degree is for those interested in the field of finance. Students will gain knowledge of financial methods, concepts, theories, and models that they can use in finance managing roles in a corporate environment. - Master in International Finance:
Designed to give students the knowledge and skills to prepare them for global business dynamics, the Master’s degree in International Finance is a good stepping stone for someone who wants to study various aspects of international trade. - Master of Financial Analysis:
This broad postgraduate program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct financial analysis for companies by evaluating a business’s budget, projects, and more. Students will get a broader and deeper exposure to finance to determine suitability and performance. - Master of Science in Financial Analysis and Investment Management (MS-FAIM):
The MS-FAIM provides you with the qualitative and quantitative skills of analysis involved with quantitative techniques used in risk management, corporate financial analysis, investment portfolio management, and more.
Online Admission Requirements
Those who earn an online bachelor's degree in finance will find a wide range of opportunities available to them in public, private, and non-profit organizations. Earning an online master's degree in finance, or a Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on finance, will give you an advantage in the finance industry.
The Prerequisites to getting a master’s finance degree are:
- A Bachelor's Degree: Most finance master's degree programs require a bachelor's degree.
- Some Professional Experience: Some master’s degree in finance programs require applicants to have from one to two years of professional experience.
- Minimum GPA: Most graduate programs in finance require that students have, at a minimum, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
- Even some online programs will require that you attend an in-person seminar or one or two courses on campus. While this may not be optimal for everyone looking to earn their degree online, it does allow for more netowrking than the usual online format alone.
How long does it take to earn an online Master’s Degree in Finance?
Depending on your level of previous education, your dedication to studying, and the program you take, a master’s degree in finance can take anywhere from one to six years to complete.
To earn your master’s online, you will first need to obtain a bachelor’s degree that provides entry-level opportunity and can take anywhere from two to four years to complete. Moreover, if you decide to study full-time then you may be able to earn your master’s in finance in as little as one year, as there are fast track or accelerated programs available from many online institutions. However, if you decide to study part-time while taking an online class, then it can take up to six years to earn your master’s in finance.
Potential Careers in Finance with a Master’s
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Financial Analyst
Median Salary - $61,400Financial analysts are responsible for using owners and shareholders earned income to create company wealth by:
- Preparing monthly financial forecasts and financial budgets
- Providing analysis support to many areas of the company
- Assisting with the preparation of financial analysis schedules, including weekly, monthly, and quarterly
-
Chief Financial Officer
Median Salary - $136,100The job duties of a Chief Financial Officer are to:
- Prepare or direct the preparation of financial statements, financial position forecasts, regulatory agencies required reports, annual budgets, and business activity reports
- Develop internal control procedures, policies, and guidelines for activities that include cash and credit management, budget administration, and accounting
- Provide coordination and leadership in the business planning, administrative, and accounting and budgeting of the company
-
Financial Controller
Median Salary - $84,700A Financial Controller is responsible for:
- Maintaining and establishing internal controls that support the financial infrastructure
- Ensuring that policies and procedures are compliant with state and federal standards as well as regulatory requirements
- Overseeing financial reporting, accounting, preparation, and analysis of the consolidated financial statements, as well as tax compliance schedules
- Presenting potential risk areas and financial reporting to senior management
-
Finance Manager
Median Salary - $92,400Finance managers develop and observe financial forecasts and departmental budgets for their company by:
- Assisting the operations team in monthly review operations
- Identifying areas for operational improvements and cost reductions
- Preparing informational analyses on actual performances and process budgets for the present time and for previous years
- Providing analyses to the operations team
-
Finance Director
Median Salary - $114,200Finance directors have a leadership position in general management. Their duties include hiring, scheduling, and carrying out performance evaluations. These directors typically lead a finance team in strategic planning in regard to the company's finances, which includes accounting duties, projections, and financial analyses.
The finance director and their team will identify areas in need of improvement and identify mistakes and risks for their company before profits are reduced.
-
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
Median Salary - $129,600Financial Planning & Analysis Directors use knowledge of accounting and economics for:
- Providing financial analysis to spur profitability and growth, while also improving business performance
- Approving and reviewing the department budgets
- Determining what course of action to take to mitigate financial risks
- Performing risk evaluations and identifying the weaknesses of the company financial model and business plan
Options to Advance
To advance your career after obtaining your online master's degree you can earn a doctorate degree. Earning a doctorate in finance is the highest level of education you can get in the finance industry. Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) in finance or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs emphasize research and independent study.
In addition, these programs give students an in-depth understanding of financial mathematics, professional management, investments, human resources, and statistics in financial markets, products, and corporate finance. Both degree levels open the doors to advanced employment opportunities with more lucrative earnings. Some job opportunities include:
- College professors
- Conducting research for scholarly publications
- Business school instructors