Working in the financial services industry requires a complex set of skills and abilities, as well as an in-depth knowledge of accounting and finance concepts. By obtaining a finance MBA from an accredited university or program, individuals with financial service career aspirations are able to start working toward their ultimate goals.
An online MBA degree program with a financial services focus can offer the foundational knowledge and skills students need, providing a high-level accounting, management, and finance education.
Top Online Finance MBA Degree Programs
Below, find a listing of the top online MBAs focused in finance, as well as program details, application information and tuition cost assessments.
The University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD
The University of Maryland provides students in the finance MBA program with the skills they need to advance in their careers. The MBA in finance sets students up for success by first building a strong foundation in the fundamentals of business. The core curriculum focuses on business operations, management, and business systems. After ensuring that students have a clear understanding of business administration, the finance MBA concentration takes an in-depth approach to the study of finance.
Students in the finance concentration study investment tools and investment practices. This knowledge assists students who plan to work in asset or wealth management, as well as other fields related to the investment industry. Students can also focus on corporate financial restructuring and related subjects in corporate finance. The focus on corporate level skills helps students advance in a corporate career within the industry of their choice.
The University of Maryland recommends that students obtain two years of relevant work experience before applying for the online MBA in finance degree. The school is recognized by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs as an approved Yellow Ribbon Program, as the online degree program works with military veterans and active-duty members who wish to obtain an MBA in finance. Active service members are given in-state tuition costs, and the school waives application fees, regardless of the individual’s residency.
In-state tuition at the University of Maryland is $7,612 per year. Tuition for out-of-state students is $27,905 per year.
The University of Texas at Dallas
UT Dallas, based in Richardson, Texas, was instituted in 1969 as part of the University of Texas school system. Since then, the university has established itself as one of the top public schools in Texas. UT Dallas offers a wide range of degree programs, spanning across disciplines from Arts and Humanities to Engineering, Mathematics, and Business Management.
The Naveen Jindal School of Management provides access to several different master’s degrees, including a full-time MBA program and MBA programs designed specifically for the working professional. The Professional MBA with a concentration in Finance serves students who are working while pursuing their degree. The program is available in several different formats, including online, on campus through evening courses, and via their flex plan, which allows students to enroll in a variety of online and on campus courses according to their individual schedules and needs. Online courses are both Synchronous and asynchronous, allowing students to more easily design the coursework around their work schedule.
UT Dallas’ MBA in Finance consists of 53 course credit hours, 30 of which are part of the core curriculum. While the program length varies based on format and individual workload, students can complete the PMBA on-campus program in just 24 months. The program includes coursework in financial management, global business, and business economics. Students also have the option to receive credit for approved in-company internships.
Tuition at UT Dallas varies based on degree program formats and student residential status (whether or not a student is a resident of Texas). The full-time MBA program costs range from $28,136 for resident tuition to $56,999 for nonresident tuition, while the professional program costs begin at $39,375 for residents and $78,921 for nonresidents.
The MBA program at UT Dallas does not require a minimum GMAT or GRE score and has waver options available for students who have already completed advanced degrees. The school does require a prerequisite knowledge in calculus with a minimum GPA requirement.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins, based in Baltimore, Maryland, was established in 1876 as one of the countries first research university. As an institution founded on research and innovation, 27 Johns Hopkins researchers, past and present, have been awarded the Nobel Prize. The institution enrolls more than 24,000 graduate and undergraduate students each year across its nine different schools.
Johns Hopkins’ Carey Business School offers an MBA with a Financial Business concentration through its flexible online and on-campus courses. Students at Carey have the opportunity to complete coursework in a variety of formats including on-campus, online, or a combination of both. The FLEX MBA program is designed to accommodate students who are busy pursuing their careers while also obtaining an advanced degree. Programs are designed to help students complete their MBA in the timeframe that suits their needs, offering the flexibility to take up to 6 years to complete the program, although the average student graduates with an MBA in 2.7 years.
Online MBA coursework at Johns Hopkins’ Carey Business School is mostly asynchronous and can be completed at any time, providing freedom and flexibility for their working students. There are a small number of synchronous courses and learning activities that occur in real time. Students complete 54 credit hours of coursework, including 30 core credits and 24 elective credits. Core credit courses cover topics from statistical analysis to business management and operations management. Electives cover unique topics such as cybersecurity and wealth management.
Applicants to Johns Hopkins FLEX MBA program must have a 3.0 GPA and a minimum of two years of work experience. Other requirements include a letter of recommendation, and two essays, and GMAT or GRE results. The average student admitted to the program achieves a 607 GMAT score and has approximately nine years of work experience. Tuition is $1,410 per credit hour, not including applicable matriculation fees.
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is based in Raleigh, North Carolina and is part of the University of North Carolina System of schools. As a public research university, the school offers both traditional and online programs including science and technology, business, and design to over 34,000 students each year. The school boasts over 350 different online courses and 90 degrees, including an online MBA.
The university’s Jenkins Professional MBA with an emphasis in Financial Management consists of 40 credit hours that can be completed online or through a combination of online and on-campus learning. The program is designed for students who want to accelerate their degree timeline, allowing them to earn their degree in as little as 21 months. With an emphasis on flexibility and accessibility, students can opt to take up to six years to earn their degree, begin the program at the start of either the fall or spring semester and can complete the course entirely online apart from two 3-day residencies hosted on campus.
As one of the leading MBA programs in the country, admission to North Carolina State University is highly competitive. Admission requirements include GRE or GMAT results, with the average enrolled student earning a GMAT score of 606 or a GRE of 309. Other admission requirements include at least two years of full-time work experience, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, and completion of a course in statistics with a minimum grade requirement. NC State offers tuition based on residency, with the cost ranging from $1,145 per credit for residents of North Carolina and $1,977 per credit for nonresidents.
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private research institute that was established in 1842 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The institute is the only Augustinian Catholic university in the nation, providing a long history of diverse educational opportunities. Villanova has six schools and colleges, including the School of Business which offers full-time, part-time and online MBA degrees.
The Villanova School of Business MBA with an emphasis in Finance blends formal training with a real-world business application, including the option of a seven-day international immersion. The program is known for its emphasis on teamwork and hands-on programs. Apart from studying current market issues and solutions, students also complete a Social Enterprise Consulting Practicum, working with alongside classmates in a community-focused service project.
Villanova’s online MBA program comprises 48 credit hours—at $1,350 per credit hour—with a course structure that encourages program completion in as few as two years. Coursework includes foundational courses such as Ethical Business Practices and Global Political Economy, as well as eight elective courses and capstone of 9 credit hours. While the majority of coursework is done online, Villanova’s program also offers several options for synchronous learning such as on-campus discussion groups, team projects, and a weekend residency that takes place within the first two semesters of the program.
Admission is assessed according to undergraduate GPA, work experience, and GRE or GMAT scores. Students can expect Villanova to offer an MBA that emphasizes global business and finance in order to help students pursue careers in business finance with international influence.