The 10 Best Affordable Online Bachelor's in Finance for 2021

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, UofM serves students from around the world, both on campus and through its online campus, UofM Global. UofM Global offers programs primarily for working individuals who want to start or complete their undergraduate degree.

Available entirely online, the BBA in finance with a concentration in business finance is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The program covers the basics of finance as they apply to business, including stocks, bonds, securities, derivatives, and financial management. Students complete 120 credits and typically complete the program in four years. Upon graduating, learners can sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst or the Certified Financial Planner exams.

UofM allows students to earn credit through prior learning assessments. Degree-seekers need at least a “C” grade in all undergraduate courses. UofM accepts transfer credits, and some transfer students finish the program in less than two years.

Tuition for all online students at UofM starts at $413 per credit hour, and the graduation rate is about 48%.

UMGC is an entirely online campus with affordable undergraduate degrees. While Maryland residents receive in-state tuition, military members and dependents receive the lowest tuition rates.

The online bachelor’s degree in finance combines financial theory with real-world practice. Students cover topics including economics, accounting, and business to gain a deeper understanding of financial workings.

UMGC requires 120 credits to graduate and allows degree-seekers to transfer up to 90 credits. Upon graduating, students may sit for the Certified Management Accountant or the Certified Financial Planner exam. Graduates work with UMGC counselors and alumni to find positions.

UMGC offers start dates throughout the year and uses no-cost digital materials to increase affordability. Students complete most courses in the finance program asynchronously. Tuition starts at $300 per credit for in-state students and $499 for out-of-state students. The graduation rate is about 27%.

Across its campuses in Whitewater, Rock County, and online, UWW serves more than 13,000 students. The school’s 120-credit online BBA in finance prepares graduates for careers as security analysts, financial planners, and investment managers. Part of the required business core is an international requirement to prepare for the global workplace. UWW requires degree-seekers to complete 20 hours of community service to graduate.

Online students receive access to library services, technical support, mentoring, academic advising, and career services. Out-of-state and international students receive the same per-credit tuition rate as in-state students. Many online learners also qualify for grants, scholarships, and other types of financial aid. Tuition is $389 per credit for all students, and the graduation rate is about 62%.

Established in 1971, Metropolitan State — based in St. Paul, Minnesota — primarily works for underserved groups, particularly communities of color and working professionals. Working professionals can pursue the school’s online BS in finance.

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the online bachelor’s in finance teaches students the basics of investments, risk management, and corporate finances. The program requires 120 credits with most courses worth four credits. Students complete courses either entirely online or with some on-campus study.

Applicants must complete all foundation courses with a C- grade or better. Transfer students who completed a transfer pathway associate degree gain at least 60 college credits. For the fall 2020 semester, tuition for in-state students started at $234 per credit and $478 for out-of-state students. The graduation rate is about 58%.

Based in Delaware, WilmU welcomes new students, learners with previous college experience, and military members. Among undergraduate learners, 78% study part time.

Available entirely online, the BS in finance uses an innovative curriculum that emphasizes unique topics. Students learn a combination of theory and practice, cover the history of financial practices, and gain hands-on experience through internships and cooperative learning. Full-time students complete the main program in four years and can add a concentration in nonprofit management.

Learners can transfer up to 90 credits and enroll in the finance degree-completion program. Students need an associate degree in finance or a related field from an accredited school. WilmU’s online bachelor’s in finance degree uses accelerated eight-week courses. Tuition starts at $250 per credit based on location, and the graduation rate is about 49%.

Founded in 1865 in Ottawa, Kansas, OU runs campuses in Kansas City, Phoenix, Milwaukee, and online. The small, private school boasts a Christian background but does not require students in the online bachelor of science in finance program to take Christian courses.

Designed as a degree-completion program, the BS in finance requires 49 credits, in addition to core courses. In total, students need up to 124 credits to complete the degree. OU allows learners to transfer up to 80 credits into the finance program. While many degree-seekers transfer credits, students without any college credits can complete the entire finance degree online.

The finance program includes courses in macroeconomics, business ethics, and investment theory. Learners take an applied finance capstone course during their final semester. While some graduates immediately begin finance careers, OU recommends that students continue on to an MBA or Ph.D. program. Tuition for the 2021-2022 school year is about $499 per credit online, but prices vary based on location and degree. The graduation rate is about 58%.

Part of the Texas A&M University system, TAMUC is much smaller than the system’s other universities, providing smaller class sizes, including online classes.

TAMUC’s BBA in finance is a four-year program that explores capital management, portfolio management, and personal finance. The four-year degree requires 120 credits and culminates with an independent study project. Learners in the honors program complete an honors thesis.

The online bachelor’s in finance prepares students for entry-level finance positions, though some finance jobs require certification or a graduate degree. TAMUC offers in-state tuition to Texas residents. Tuition rates start at $4,125 per semester for in-state students and $9,033 for out-of-state students, based on a 12-credit course load. The graduation rate is about 47%.

Located in Denver, Colorado, Regis provides a Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts education. Part of Regis’ success lies in the university’s dedication to maintaining a small student-to-faculty ratio. Some programs maintain small class sizes which can lead to competitive admissions.

Regis’ BS in finance offers courses entirely online or on campus, so students can complete as much of the program online as they want. The program teaches fundamental finance skills while preparing learners for specialty certificates, including the Series 7.

Students complete 120 credits and typically graduate in four years. The program culminates with either a business policy and strategy course or an applied project capstone. Learners can earn general elective credits toward a minor.

Regis offers special degree tracks to increase employability. One option prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant Exam while the other fast tracks students into a master’s in finance program. Tuition for online courses start at $475 per credit, and the graduation rate is about 58%.

LETU is a small Christian school with 3,150 students, of which more than 850 study online. LETU emphasizes a Christian education and includes Christian faith and ethics in all programs, including the online finance degree.

The BBA in finance requires 121 credits, most of which are in business and finance courses. All students must take 12 theology and vocation courses, including biblical literature and biblical theology for Christian life. Finance students can add a nine-credit financial planning emphasis. While the BBA in finance does not require a capstone, the financial planning emphasis does.

Graduates work as analysts, bankers, and loan officers. LETU only offers the degree online. All new applicants and transfer students must submit transcripts with at least a 2.0 GPA. Transfer students can bring in up to 90 credits. Applicants with professional experience can earn credits by examination. Tuition for the 2020-2021 school year started at $9,585 for the year, and the graduation rate is about 57%.

Penn State World Campus is the global extension of Penn State. The World Campus opened in 1998 and immediately began offering programs online. Graduates earn a degree from Penn State and gain access to the world’s largest alumni association.

The online finance program, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, prepares students for a career immediately after graduating. Graduates can sit for various exams, and the bachelor’s is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, meaning the curriculum prepares students specifically for the Chartered Financial Analyst exam.

Degree-seekers must complete 120 credits. The required curriculum is flexible as Penn State lets students pick a path that leads toward their desired career. Online students also receive access to various extracurricular opportunities, including clubs, associations, speaker series, and organized trips.

Penn State World Campus charges the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of students’ residency. Degree-seekers begin courses during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Tuition starts at $576 per credit hour, and the graduation rate is about 39%.

Part of the greater UNC system, UNCP enrolls just under 7,700 students. The school’s student body is among the region’s most diverse. UNCP boasts an average class size of just 20 students.

The university offers a BS in business administration with a track in finance. UNCP offers the program in a hybrid format with some evening classes in Pembroke or at a satellite campus. The program requires 120 credits, only 18 of which are in the finance track. Degree-seekers can also complete a second track by adding 12 credits.

All business students must complete a senior seminar in business, one of the final courses in the business administration program. UNCP advises all prospective students to contact faculty early to work on a degree plan. Tuition for online students starts at $141 for in-state students and $533 for out-of-state students per credit hour. The graduation rate is about 44%.

Based in Norfolk, Virginia, ODU started offering distance learning programs in 1994. Today, ODU hosts more than 100 programs entirely online, making it one of the region’s largest online schools.

The online BS in business administration with a focus in finance offers two options: a degree-completion track for students with at least 30 transferable credits and a 120-credit program for new college students. Degree-seekers gain skills in banking, investing, and portfolio management. Students complete 33 finance credits to complete the track and must earn a 2.0 GPA. ODU does not require a capstone course.

Anyone currently enrolled in a Virginia Community College System gains guaranteed admission to ODU. Students interested in a graduate degree can apply their online finance degree credits toward an MBA or a master of public administration at ODU. Tuition for in-state students starts at $360 for in-state students per credit hour and $407 for out-of-state students per credit hour. The graduation rate is about 57%.

Based in the northern New York town of Canton, SUNY Canton allows students to complete entire programs remotely.

Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the BBA in finance covers topics such as stock bond valuation, diversifying portfolios, and handling loan and mortgage amortization. While finance remains the program focus, students also learn important business, accounting, and management skills.

Learners can study entirely online or in a hybrid format. The flexible curriculum also allows for independent study. Before graduating, students gain real-world finance experience through hands-on projects and a required internship. SUNY Canton offers courses year-round. Full-time students studying during the winter and summer complete the program in less than four years. Tuition for in-state students starts at $295 per credit, $458 for out-of-state students, and $353 for online classes. The graduation rate is about 45%.

With over 31,350 students, UMass Amherst is one of the region’s largest public research institutions. The university’s location near Boston and New York City helps graduates find positions at some of the nation’s largest businesses.

Offered online through the Isenberg School of Management, the finance degree leads to careers in banks, real estate companies, and corporations. To complete the BBA in finance, students take 34 business core credits and 30 finance credits. UMass Amherst requires 120 credits to graduate, though many students transfer in credits.

While degree-seekers specialize in finance, they can gain experience in specific fields through elective courses such as sport management, accounting, hospitality, and tourism management.

The main outcome for the BBA in finance is employment, and UMass Amherst helps online students network with various organizations. Students can access academic advisors to choose the best courses for specific career goals. Tuition costs vary based on classes at UMass, but the average yearly cost is just over $21,000. The graduation rate is about 76%.

A small, Christian school based in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, MVNU serves nearly 1,700 undergraduate students, almost 300 of whom study entirely online. The university offers various programs entirely online, including the BBA degree with a major in finance.

Offered as a whole program or degree-completion program, the BBA in finance takes full-time students with an associate degree just 21 months to complete. Courses last just five weeks, allowing students to accelerate their education. In total, transfer students can bring in up to 90 of the 120 required credits.

Created for learners interested in a career in banking, accounting, or tax preparation, the finance major only requires 15 credits. Because the degree focuses mainly on BBA core courses, graduates end up in various roles, many of which are unrelated to finance. MVNU requires students to earn a 2.5 GPA on all BBA courses and charges a flat per-credit tuition rate to all students. Tuition is about $31,000 per year for both local and commuter students, and the graduation rate is about 54%.