The Best Associate's in Finance Programs for 2027

Kirkwood Community College's Business Administration: Financial Services program is a two-year, fully online AAS built for students entering financial institutions or advancing within one, with a required internship for real-world experience. Coursework covers monetary and banking issues, personal financial and investment concepts tied to credit, investments, and insurance, and customer service and sales skills for client relationships. The program's own five-semester breakdown for 64 credit hours totals $16,177: $14,656 in tuition at $229 per in-state credit hour, $250 in technology fees, and $1,243 in course resources like textbooks and software. Career paths on the program page include credit analyst, loan officer, and securities and commodities sales agent, alongside teller and loan interviewing roles.

Kirkwood's Program Score of 88.4 places it fourth among the 2027 top associate's finance programs, with a 43% graduation rate, the lowest of the four schools here. In-state tuition runs $6,076 a year against $8,120 out-of-state, a $2,044 gap; by the credit, out-of-state students pay $306 versus $229 for residents, a 34% premium. At 12,763 students, Kirkwood sits mid-pack in enrollment among this group. Its fully online delivery paired with a built-in internship suits working students in Iowa who need a credential without leaving a current job, though the lower graduation rate and higher sticker price than Fox Valley or Miramar are real tradeoffs against that flexibility.

Moraine Park Technical College routes its associate's finance training through the Financial and Insurance Services Specialist Program, an AAS offered online and on the Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, and West Bend campuses. The curriculum leans toward the licensed side of the industry, with named coursework in Securities Industry: Concepts to Compliance, Financial Wealth Management, and Personal Brand. Students can also stack in through the college's Accounting AAS, the Accounting Assistant and Bookkeeper technical diplomas, and the Payroll Assistant and Tax Preparer Assistant certificates, all of which transfer credit forward into the associate degree, or opt into the Financial Services Professional Apprenticeship, which pairs 2,000 hours of on-the-job training with 144 hours of paid classroom instruction.

The Program Score of 85.6 places Moraine Park 5th among associate's finance programs for 2027, built on a 58% graduation rate across its 4,171 students. Tuition runs $4,462 for Wisconsin residents and $6,727 for out-of-state students, a $2,265 premium that makes this a strong fit for in-state students specifically; nonresidents will find cheaper options elsewhere on this list. The multi-campus, multi-format structure, online plus three physical sites, suits working adults in south-central Wisconsin who want to start with a short certificate and ladder up without re-applying.

Lake Area Technical College's Financial Services program is a hybrid E-Degree, combining online coursework with required on-campus components. All students share a common first-year core, then choose one of three second-year tracks: Agri-Financial Services, Business Accounting, or Consumer Financial Services, each aimed at a different corner of the industry, from ag lending to tax preparation to personal banking. Every student works with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, and accounting-track students add QuickBooks Online, TaxSlayer, and payroll software; the degree also requires 180 to 360 internship hours, and students already working in the field can petition to have their current job count toward that requirement. Full-time students can finish in as little as 20 months.

Lake Area Tech earns a Program Score of 84.9, 6th among 2027's associate's finance programs, and posts the highest graduation rate on this list at 73%. Tuition is a flat $3,720 regardless of residency, the only program here that charges in-state and out-of-state students the same rate, and enrollment sits at 2,312. The school's own placement data, reported on its program page, shows a 100% placement rate within six months of graduation and an average salary of $49,608 for those graduates; that is a school-reported outcome, not a national figure. The combination of a flat rate, a high completion rate, and a rare Agri-Financial Services track makes this the pick for students in farm country or anyone who wants certainty on cost before enrolling.

Arkansas Tech University's Banking Services AAS, housed in the Ozark campus catalog, is a 60-credit-hour, four-semester plan built directly around bank operations: Principles of Banking, Branch Operations, Money and Banking, Loan Operations, and Legal Foundations in Banking anchor the major coursework, alongside a general-education core in composition, economics, and technical math. Students can fill elective slots with up to four levels of Banking Work-Based Learning, paid, credit-bearing placements inside an actual bank, on top of standard business electives like Organizational Leadership and Systems Analysis and Design.

The program carries a Program Score of 83.4, ranking 7th for 2027, and stands out for accessibility: Arkansas Tech admits 96% of applicants, the most open door on this list. That accessibility comes with a lower 49% graduation rate, the softest of the four programs here, so completion takes real follow-through. In-state tuition is $5,995; out-of-state students pay $11,989, nearly double, a $5,994 gap that should push any nonresident to weigh Arkansas residency or in-state options first. At 8,746 students, this is also the largest campus on the list, giving Banking Services students access to a bigger general-business course catalog than the smaller technical colleges here offer.

Northeast Iowa Community College's Finance AAS is a fully online, 61-credit degree built to run students through financial markets analysis and core banking principles, with the program page noting room to pursue an optional professional qualification along the way. Entry points open three times a year, Fall, Spring, and Summer, and the college sequences the degree to finish in 24 months, giving working students a fixed timeline rather than an open-ended part-time slog.

NICC's Program Score of 83.2 ranks it 8th among 2027's associate's finance programs, with a 51% graduation rate across 4,808 students. Tuition is $6,030 for Iowa residents and $7,020 for nonresidents, a $990 gap that is the smallest residency premium on this list, making it a reasonable option even for students outside Iowa. Iowa residents in the program can also draw on the Kibbie Grant, up to $4,500 a year for two years for high-demand technical programs, and the Vo-Tech Grant, up to $1,000 a year for two years, both need-based and both stackable with other aid. The fully online format and multiple entry terms make this the most schedule-flexible program on the list for students who cannot commit to a fixed on-campus cohort.

Davenport University's Associate of Business Administration in Finance is a 65-credit program accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Students complete it online through Davenport's Global Campus or in person on the Grand Rapids or Warren, Michigan campuses. The school states that faculty hold professional finance certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations, and coursework builds toward analyzing corporate and individual financial statements, identifying economic trends, and interpreting investment data.

Davenport earns a Program Score of 83, the highest of the four programs profiled here, and that ranking is backed by real outcomes: a 57% graduation rate, well ahead of the 41%, 29%, and 44% rates at the other three schools in this set. Admission is close to open access at a 98% admit rate. Tuition runs a flat $23,376, the same whether a student lives in Michigan or out of state, which is $3,253 less than Berkeley College's flat $26,629 rate. That combination, a structured curriculum, credentialed faculty, and a graduation rate more than 25 points above the group average, fits a student who wants a two-year on-ramp into finance with a defined path to further study.

Pasco-Hernando State College's Financial Services program is structured around stackable certificates: students can earn standalone credentials on the way to the associate degree, a design suited to someone building qualifications while already working. The program page cites U.S. Department of Labor projections of 11% employment growth for the field over the next decade, and reports entry-level earnings up to $32,000 a year, rising to $64,700 for experienced professionals with credentials, according to the college's own published figures.

The program carries a Program Score of 78.8, and its 41% graduation rate sits in the middle of this group of four. The real differentiator is cost: $2,297 in-state tuition is the cheapest of any program here, but it climbs to $9,272 out-of-state, a difference of $6,975, or roughly four times the in-state rate. With 9,410 students enrolled, Pasco-Hernando is a large public institution built for Florida residents who want the lowest-cost route into entry-level banking, insurance, or financial-planning support roles.

Madison Area Technical College's Finance associate degree runs 68 credits across two years, and it front-loads a bonus credential: complete the first year and the college automatically awards a Finance Assistant technical diploma before you continue toward the full degree. Coursework includes Math of Finance, Financial Institutions, Corporate Finance, Financial Analysis, and Investments, taught through projects and case simulations across five Wisconsin campuses, with in-person, online, and accelerated 8-week formats available. Graduates have a program-to-program articulation agreement with UW-Platteville that guarantees admission into its BBA in Finance and transfers every associate-degree credit toward that bachelor's.

Madison's Program Score is 78.3. Its 29% graduation rate is the lowest of the four programs here, but tuition is the tradeoff: $4,485 in-state and $6,649 out-of-state, a $2,164 gap that is far narrower than the roughly four-times spread at Pasco-Hernando. Enrollment of 13,641 makes it the largest school in this group. Madison's own 2025 graduate outcomes survey, a small sample of nine respondents, found every graduate seeking work employed and an average wage of $51.43 an hour in related full-time roles. This program fits a student who values the pre-built bachelor's pipeline over a higher completion rate at graduation.

Berkeley College's Financial Services Associate in Applied Science functions as the front half of a built-in pipeline: finish the AAS and continue directly into Berkeley's Financial Services BBA, whose curriculum is designed to meet the requirements set by the CFP Board of Standards, Inc. The associate degree itself covers corporate and personal financial planning, accounting, economics, and management fundamentals, with hands-on training on the software platforms used by financial-services professionals. It carries IACBE accreditation through Berkeley's Larry L. Luing School of Business, and courses are delivered online per the college's published schedule.

Berkeley posts a Program Score of 78.3 and a 44% graduation rate, second only to Davenport's 57% in this group. Tuition is a flat $26,629 regardless of residency, the highest of the four programs profiled and $3,253 more than Davenport's flat rate, reflecting its status as a private for-profit college. Enrollment is 2,156, the smallest of the four schools. Berkeley fits a student who wants the associate degree to function as a deliberate stepping stone toward a CFP-aligned bachelor's at the same institution, not as a standalone two-year finish line.

Borough of Manhattan Community College offers an Associate of Science in Financial Management through its Department of Business Management. The department says the degree gives students a foundation to pursue bachelor's degrees in finance, business or financial economics. The curriculum pairs a 30-credit common core of English, math, science and flexible core courses with business requirements such as Accounting Principles I, Introduction to Business, Business Law, Introduction to Finance and Financial Management. BMCC has an articulation agreement with City College, so students who complete the A.S. can transfer into the B.A. in Economics, Financial Economics Concentration, without losing credits. The page also points students to career coaching and the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning for work experience before a four-year degree.

BMCC is an open admission college, so applicants are not screened by admit rate. Its graduation rate is 25%. Tuition is $4,800 in-state and $7,680 out-of-state. The program holds a Program Score of 78.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a low-cost start in finance with a clear transfer route to a bachelor's degree.

Saint Paul College presents its finance program as preparation for the full range of finance work. The page says students learn to analyze financial data, develop strategic financial plans and make informed decisions, and it names financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting and risk management as the skills employers want. The college describes finance as relevant to every organization, and it lists paths in traditional banking or accounting roles, investment banking, corporate finance, financial planning and wealth management. It also frames finance as a global field whose skills transfer across borders and industries. The page does not state a credit total or a capstone requirement, so students should confirm the course plan with the college.

Saint Paul College is open admission, so no admit rate applies. The graduation rate is 40%. In-state tuition is $5,486, and out-of-state tuition is the same $5,486. The program has a Program Score of 75.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a low-cost start in finance, whether they aim to work in banking, budgeting or planning roles, or to build a foundation before moving to a four-year program.

The Finance A.A.S. at Columbus State Community College prepares students for roles in corporate finance, banking, insurance and consumer finance. The college reports that the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The 60-credit plan includes Investments, Corporate Finance, Money and Banking, International Finance, a Finance Capstone, and a choice between Foundations of Banking and Principles of Insurance. Students finish with a Finance Practicum/Seminar or a Business Strategy course. Courses run in the traditional classroom or online. Listed job titles include loan processor, financial planner, loan officer, credit analyst and insurance analyst. The page says the degree can transfer to Franklin University's Financial Management, Financial Planning and Risk Management and Insurance bachelor's degrees, and that over 90 percent of students start a bachelor's or 3+1 program right away.

Admission is open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED. Federal data shows a 28% graduation rate at Columbus State. In-state tuition is $5,488 and out-of-state tuition is $11,224. The program's Program Score is 75 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a low-cost start in banking or finance and who plan to continue to a four-year degree.

Dallas College offers banking and finance credentials at several levels, and the page describes its associate degree in the field as one of few offered at community colleges nationally. The associate degree path is an Associate of Applied Science in Mortgage Banking at the North Lake campus, built to take about two years. Shorter options sit beneath it, including an entry-level banking certification through BankWorks, a Designate certificate, a Financial Services Associate certificate and a Mortgage Banking Intern certificate. These range from about two months to one year. Credit certificates are stackable toward the degree. The college notes that AAS degrees may not fully transfer to a four-year university and points students who plan to transfer toward an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science instead.

The program earns a Program Score of 74.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. Federal data show a 32% graduation rate, and the college is open admission. In-state tuition is $4,662 against $6,900 for out-of-state students. The program fits students who want to start a banking career quickly, build credentials one step at a time, and keep costs low, and less so those aiming straight at a bachelor's degree.

Roane State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Financial Services, a two-year career program that prepares students to work for credit unions, banks and insurance agencies. The school says the work depends on understanding financial products and relating well to customers, and it calls the program a good fit for people already in the field who want a degree for advancement. Classes can be attended live from anywhere on any device. The curriculum includes Consumer Lending, Money and Banking, Introduction to Investments, Principles of Insurance, Sales and Service, and two semesters of accounting, ending with a Management Seminar and an exit exam. Roane State notes that students who want to transfer to a university should enroll in an A.A. or A.S. program instead, and that the field calls for strong math and analytical skills.

Roane State is open admission and graduates 36% of its students. In-state tuition is $4,680, compared with $18,312 for out-of-state students. The program earns a Program Score of 70.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults and local students aiming for banking, lending or insurance roles who want a low-cost, flexible associate degree.

Los Angeles City College offers an associate program in Finance and Banking through its Business Administration Department. The school describes it as built for students interested in banking, corporate finance, stocks and bonds, credits and collections, and savings and loan businesses. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions including financial analyst, new account clerk, bank teller, credit counselor and loan clerk. A Finance and Banking Certificate of Achievement is offered as a shorter route and is described as a pathway into the associate degree. Beyond general college admission, applicants must show a satisfactory aptitude for financial services, measured through tests and interviews run by the College Counseling Department. The college says the courses for each program can be taken fully online.

The program holds a Program Score of 70.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 29% graduation rate, and the college is open admission. In-state tuition is $1,196 and out-of-state tuition is $10,530, a wide gap that makes residency matter. The program fits California residents who want a low-cost start in banking or who plan to transfer, and students who need online flexibility. The aptitude screening is a step to plan for before enrolling.

Milwaukee Area Technical College's Banking and Financial Services program is a two-year Associate in Applied Science of 61 credits, offered in person and online at the Downtown Milwaukee, West Allis and online campuses. It teaches the accounting and financial principles used in banks, credit unions, insurance and consumer finance companies and corporate finance departments. Courses include Principles of Banking, Credit Management, Investment Principles, Corporate Financial Management, Income Taxation and a choice of Forensic Accounting or Applied Individual Income Tax. Students can earn the Financial Services Trainee certificate and the Financial Services technical diploma on the way to the associate degree. Starts are in August and January.

MATC is open admission, and federal data show a 25% graduation rate. In-state tuition is $4,485, against $6,728 for out-of-state students. The program's Program Score is 68.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students aiming at roles such as personal banker, credit specialist, insurance sales agent or loan specialist, and the stackable credentials give an exit point with a credential before the full degree. The 25% graduation rate is low, so students should plan their schedule and support early. The college says the degree transfers to one or more four-year institutions.

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College runs its business program from its Cloquet campus with a multidisciplinary approach presented from a Native American cultural perspective. The page lists an Associate of Science in Business/Financial Services, an Associate of Applied Science in Small Business Entrepreneurship and an Associate of Science Business Transfer Pathway, plus certificates in small business and entrepreneurship. Learning outcomes cover accounting, finance, marketing, management and economics, along with ethics, teamwork and communication. The school reports an average class size of 19 and says 86% of business graduates in the last three years found related work. Transfer partners named include the University of Minnesota Duluth, the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

The college is open admission, and federal data show a 26% graduation rate. Tuition is $5,418 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The program's Program Score of 67.7 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It suits students in northeastern Minnesota who want small classes, a path into local employers, or a two-year start before transferring to a four-year school.

Collin College offers a Banking and Financial Services program with an Associate of Applied Science degree and two Level 1 certificates, one in Financial Services and one in Banking. The college describes the program as preparation for a variety of positions in the banking and financial services sector. Students learn the frameworks of laws and regulations that govern the industry and gain a broad knowledge of business activities. The certificate options give students a shorter path into entry-level work, while the AAS degree covers the fuller associate-level curriculum. The page does not list course sequences or credit totals, so students should check the catalog for the exact plan.

Federal data shows a 20% graduation rate and open admission, which is typical of a large community college where many students transfer or study part time. Annual tuition is $3,750 in-state and $6,000 out-of-state. The Program Score is 67.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The program fits students who want a low-cost start in banking or financial services, with the option to begin with a certificate and continue to the degree.

The Financial Management Technology program at UC Clermont College is an associate of applied business degree, and the program page states it is 100 percent online. It is designed to build understanding of financial markets, the operation of financial institutions and the financial management of business operations, with technology as a catalyst for decision making. Students who finish move into the Bachelor of Applied and Technical Studies (BTAS) program, so the associate covers about half of that bachelor's degree and can be earned while working. Listed career paths include personal banker, credit specialist, loan specialist, collections specialist and customer service representative. Admission is open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED, though students must meet the academic standards of the program to advance, and placement tests in English and math apply for those without exempting ACT or SAT scores.

The federal graduation rate at UC Clermont is 24%, and the school is open admission. In-state tuition is $5,903 and out-of-state tuition is $13,135. Its Program Score of 67.3 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The program fits working adults and career changers who want an entry point into banking or finance support roles, with a clear path to a bachelor's degree. Students should weigh the low graduation rate and plan for the placement tests and academic standards the page describes.

The Financial Services Associate in Applied Science at Berkeley College builds a business core with an emphasis on corporate and personal financial planning. Courses integrate business, accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing, with instruction in the software financial services professionals use and in investment and securities management. The page says the program offers a seamless transition into the Financial Services BBA, whose courses meet CFP Board requirements. Graduates pursue roles in banking, insurance, financial analysis and financial planning, and some students may have an internship or job-related assignment. The school reports IACBE accreditation for its business programs. Financial Services courses are offered online, and the page lists both New Jersey and New York locations.

Federal data show a 44% graduation rate at the Woodland Park campus, which is open admission. Tuition is $26,420 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program has a Program Score of 67.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a two-year start in banking, insurance or financial planning, with the option to continue to a bachelor's degree and the CFP designation path.