Compare online bachelor’s in finance programs

What is a finance degree? 

An online bachelor’s degree in finance helps students delve deep into the study, acquisition, and management of money and investments. Using finance-related topics, including math, economics, and statistics, students learn how to apply financial theories in business to help companies and individuals be better at making and managing money. 

Make sure to look into finance degree requirements for your program of interest. A high school diploma or GED is usually an essential requirement to apply to an accredited bachelor’s in finance program. 

What you’ll learn

Online bachelor’s in finance programs teach the application of financial theory to real-world scenarios. It’s important to note that the curriculum for an online finance degree is quite different from a degree in accounting. If you’re considering both fields, determine whether a bachelor’s in finance versus accounting degree would be more suitable for your career goals before enrolling in a program. 

Learning accounting may make more sense for someone seeking to work in the day-to-day management of financial reports. Meanwhile, learning finance is ideal if you wish to enter a more strategy-focused role as financial analyst or advisor. Those who want to project future growth and help make decisions at the macroeconomic level should look into learning corporate finance. 

In most programs, you can expect to take the following finance degree courses: 

• Banking, financial institutions, and society

• Business and economic forecasting

• Federal taxation for businesses

• Financial management of the firm

• Financial modeling

• Fundamentals of business statistics

• Mergers and acquisitions

• Organizational behavior

• Principles of macroeconomics

• Principles of microeconomics

• Statistical methods in business

• Venture capital and private equity

How to apply

Visit the page for each online bachelor’s degree in finance to explore specific application instructions.

What can you do with a finance degree?

There are various jobs you can pursue with a finance degree, including:

• Financial analyst: In this role, professionals evaluate financial data to assess investment opportunities, conduct risk assessments, and monitor financial performance.

• Corporate controller: In this role, professionals oversee financial accounting and reporting within an organization to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial statements, coordinate external audits, and to help with financial forecasting.

• Risk manager: In this role, professionals identify and manage potential risks that can affect an organization's financial health and operations using risk management strategies and mitigation measures. 

• Investment banker: In this role, professionals advise clients on financial transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, raising capital, and corporate restructuring. 

For those looking to further their education and gain deep knowledge in finance and business, pursuing an MBA, a master’s in finance, or other online master’s degree programs may be a worthwhile investment after earning a bachelor’s in finance.

For those unsure if a bachelor’s in finance is the right fit, it may be worth exploring an online accounting bachelor's degree, a bachelor's in business, or other online bachelor’s degree programs.

Finance degree salary and job outlook

In a growing discipline like finance, salaries remain competitive in the evolving market, but income is dependent on the candidates’ field and work experience.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial analysts — a role that bachelor’s in finance graduates can pursue — potentially earn as much as $169,940 annually. The median annual wage for financial and investment analysts was $95,080 in May 2022.^{Footnote 1}