The Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs of 2027
Key Points: Best Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs
- Fort Hays State University ranks #1 on a 65.4 Program Score, with a 48% graduation rate.
- Only the top 11 programs make this list; every one is ranked on the same federal data, not on reputation.
- The #1 program is also the lowest-tuition program on the list, so the best value and the best score are the same school.
- Scores weigh graduation rate most, then selectivity, cost and graduate earnings, from IPEDS, College Scorecard and BLS data. No school pays for a place (methodology).
- Lowest in-state tuition
- $4,704
- In-state tuition range
- $4,704-$11,016
- Online options analyzed
- 68
- Median salary (BLS)
- $100,910
The cheapest online finance degree programs clear two bars at once: a confirmed online option, and a published tuition low enough to change the math. Of the 405 finance programs we analyzed nationwide, 68 carry a confirmed distance-education option, about 17% of the field. This ranking orders the 11 of those with the lowest in-state tuition that still clear an accreditation and completion floor.
Fort Hays State University is the lowest at $4,704 a year in-state, graduating 48% of its students. In-state tuition across the ranked online programs runs $4,704 to $11,016 a year. Field median pay is $100,910 per BLS, the same benchmark whether the degree was earned online or on campus.
One thing to check before comparing: many online programs bill every student a flat per-credit rate regardless of where they live. That can beat an out-of-state price while losing to a local public's resident rate, so the order below is a starting point rather than your personal price. The cost section works through it.
The Lowest-Cost Online Finance Degree Programs, Compared
In-state tuition for the 10 most affordable programs. Shorter bars cost less; the resident rate is what state schools charge in-state students.
How the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs Are Scored
We analyzed 405 accredited finance programs reported to IPEDS, then ranked the 11 online options with the lowest in-state tuition among programs that clear an accreditation and completion floor. No school pays for inclusion.
Every program earns a Program Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.
The 11 Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs, Ranked for 2027
The 11 cheapest online finance degree programs, ranked by in-state tuition.
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 48%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- In-state
- $4,704
- Out-of-state
- $16,522
A finance major with a banking concentration that requires bank management and bank strategy courses and nine credit hours of electives.
- 48% graduation rate
- Program Score 65.4
- $4,704 in-state tuition
- Banking concentration with agricultural finance electives
The page lists the finance major with a banking concentration at Fort Hays State University, housed in the Department of Economics, Finance & Accounting. The concentration core includes Principles of Banking, Fundamentals of Investments, Intermediate Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Bank Management, Bank Strategy, Quantitative Methods, Money and Banking and Financial Statement Analysis, each worth three credit hours. Students then choose nine credit hours of banking electives. Options include intermediate accounting, income tax procedure, fundamentals of lending, investment theories and strategies, international finance and estate planning. Several electives are agricultural, such as farm management, agricultural commodity marketing and agricultural finance, which gives the concentration a clear rural and agribusiness lending angle.
Federal data show a 48% graduation rate and an admit rate of 90%. In-state tuition is $4,704, compared with $16,522 for out-of-state students. The program's Program Score is 65.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The program fits students aiming at banking, lending or agricultural finance who want a defined sequence of bank-focused courses and a low in-state price, and it is a stronger match for them than for students who want a general corporate finance track.
Florida International University
Miami, FL · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 74%
- Admit rate
- 55%
- In-state
- $4,721
- Out-of-state
- $16,529
A 120-credit BBA in Finance at Florida International University that splits 60 lower-division and 60 upper-division credits and is also offered online.
- 74% graduation rate
- Program Score 86.3
- $4,721 in-state tuition
- Online option available
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at Florida International University (FIU) teaches how money is raised and invested and how a company manages its financial resources. The curriculum covers capital markets, corporate finance, investments and financial institutions, along with risk analysis, valuing investments and the regulatory environment. Learning goals on the program page include time value of money applied to mortgage math and capital budgeting, the commercial banking business, and derivative instruments and strategies used by investors and corporations. The degree combines 60 credits of lower-division coursework with 60 credits of upper-division work, and the school lists a separate online option, BBA in Finance Online. FIU says graduates are prepared for corporations, financial institutions, brokerage firms, investment banks and government, or for postgraduate study.
Federal data show a 74% graduation rate and a 55% admit rate at FIU, so admission is selective but not extreme. In-state tuition is $4,721, against $16,529 for out-of-state students. The program's Program Score of 86.3 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a broad, low-cost finance foundation at a large public university in Miami, and those who need the flexibility of an online route. Students aiming at investment banking, corporate finance or financial planning will find the coursework aligned with those paths.
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 86%
- In-state
- $6,713
- Out-of-state
- $13,426
A fully online finance degree at Northwest Missouri State University that ends in a capstone built on the decisions CFOs and corporate leaders face, with up to 81 transfer credit hours accepted.
- Program Score 67.5
- 54% graduation rate
- $6,713 in-state tuition
- 100% online, up to 81 transfer hours
Northwest Missouri State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Corporate Finance focus, delivered entirely online in an accelerated format with several start dates each year. The degree is 120 credit hours, and the school accepts up to 81 hours of transfer credit. The page describes coursework in accounting and budgeting, financial analysis, planning, modeling and investment management, with Excel used for financial modeling and case-based work on portfolio management, alternative investments and risk. A final capstone project addresses issues CFOs and corporate leaders face. The school reports ACBSP accreditation for its business programs. Listed careers include financial strategist, corporate financial planner and budget analyst.
Northwest graduates 54% of its students and admits 86% of applicants. In-state tuition is $6,713 and out-of-state tuition is $13,426. The program carries a Program Score of 67.5 out of 100, which is the basis for its ranking. It suits working adults and transfer students who need a flexible bachelor's degree and want a corporate finance path into roles such as financial planner, budget analyst or investment manager.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $7,070
- Out-of-state
- $19,660
SUNY Poly offers its B.S. in Finance in both on-campus and online versions, with the online route open to transfer students and experienced adult learners.
- Program Score 71.4
- 55% graduation rate
- $7,070 in-state tuition
- On-campus and online versions
SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance designed to prepare students for work at banks, investment companies, brokerage houses, and the finance departments of corporations. The college provides two learning modalities. The on-campus program is aimed at first-year students enrolling directly from high school and at transfer students with an associate degree from a two-year college. The online program is aimed at transfer students with at least 45 credit hours from an accredited institution, and at adult learners with three or more years of full-time work experience after high school. The program page is brief, so students should confirm course lists and requirements with the department before applying.
SUNY Poly reports a 55% graduation rate and an 81% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 71.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Tuition is $7,070 for in-state students and $19,660 for out-of-state students, a gap of $12,590 a year that matters for anyone choosing between this public option and a private school. The online route fits working adults and transfer students finishing a degree, while the on-campus route fits recent high school graduates who want a traditional finance major aimed at banking and corporate finance roles.
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $7,488
- Out-of-state
- $13,920
A 120-credit-hour finance degree with a banking emphasis, housed in a business college the school reports is AACSB accredited.
- Program Score 70.1
- 55% graduation rate
- $7,488 in-state tuition
- Banking emphasis, 120 credit hours
Arkansas State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance with an emphasis on banking through the Neil Griffin College of Business. The page describes a 120-credit-hour degree that covers financial analysis, stocks, trading and investing, with the banking concentration aimed at managing banks, analyzing financial risk and advising clients. Listed career paths include bank manager, investment banking, compliance officer, financial consultant or advisor, and auditor. The college reports accreditation by AACSB International. The program is available online, and classes start in August.
Federal data shows a 55% graduation rate at Arkansas State and an 82% admit rate. Tuition runs $7,488 in state and $13,920 out of state. The school lists a 3.0 GPA for admission to this program, 2.0 for transfer students. The Program Score of 70.1 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The degree fits students who want a finance foundation with a banking and credit lean, at a public price, and who can work toward a 120-hour bachelor's on an online schedule. Applicants should confirm current start dates and program-level admission steps with the school.
University of Maryland Global
Adelphi, MD · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $7,776
- Out-of-state
- $11,976
University of Maryland Global's finance BS runs entirely online in 120 credits, with up to 90 transfer credits accepted and preparation for the CMA and CFP exams.
- 33% graduation rate
- Program Score 72.1
- $7,776 in-state tuition
- Fully online, up to 90 transfer credits
University of Maryland Global Campus offers an online Bachelor of Science in Finance of 120 credits, with all courses available online and select hybrid courses. Up to 90 credits can transfer in. The major totals 36 credits, including investments, risk management, FinTech and financial institutions, financial analysis, financial management, security analysis and valuation, international finance, data analytics and data visualization, and a finance capstone. A 42-credit business core is also required. The school says the program is designed to help prepare students for the Certified Management Accountant and Certified Financial Planner exams, and a CFP Board-approved course of study is available. An accelerated pathway can shorten a later MBA or accounting and financial management master's.
UMGC is an open-admission school, and 33% of its students graduate. In-state tuition is $7,776 a year, compared with $11,976 for out-of-state students. The program's Program Score is 72.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults and transfer students who need a flexible online schedule and want to apply earlier credits toward a finance degree.
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 74%
- In-state
- $7,896
- Out-of-state
- $27,758
A Walton College finance major with five concentrations and six student-managed funds totaling about $11.3 million.
- Program Score 84.9
- 71% graduation rate
- $7,896 in-state tuition
- Six student-managed funds
The University of Arkansas offers a finance bachelor's degree through the Sam M. Walton College of Business. The department describes a curriculum built on problem-based coursework, real-world business activities and internships in the financial community. Students choose among five concentrations: Banking, Financial Analytics, Financial Management and Investment, Risk Management and Real Estate, and are encouraged to consult an advisor when planning electives. The Garrison Financial Institute oversees six student-managed funds that together total approximately $11.3 million, run under faculty mentorship. There is also a student Finance Club, and an Eight-Semester Degree Completion Program that lays out a path to finishing in four academic years.
Federal data show a 71% graduation rate and a 74% admit rate. Tuition is $7,896 for in-state students and $27,758 for out-of-state students. The Program Score is 84.9, the basis of its ranking. The program fits students who want hands-on investing experience, a choice between banking, analytics, risk and real estate tracks, and a structured four-year plan at a large public university. Students should expect to choose a concentration early so electives line up with their career focus.
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 44%
- Admit rate
- 99%
- In-state
- $8,571
- Out-of-state
- $8,571
Metropolitan State University's Bachelor of Science in Finance sits in a department that pairs finance with economics and offers minors in risk management and insurance and in real estate and community development.
- 44% graduation rate
- 99% admit rate
- $8,571 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Risk management and real estate minors
Metropolitan State University houses its Bachelor of Science in Finance in the Department of Economics and Finance, part of the College of Business and Management. The page describes a degree built to give students proficiency in financial theory and its application while strengthening quantitative, critical thinking and communication skills. Coursework draws on mathematics, statistics and economics and covers areas such as investments, financing and risk management. The department says the program prepares graduates for corporate finance, financial institutions and personal investment services. Students can add a minor in Finance, Economics, Risk Management and Insurance, or Real Estate and Community Development, and an undergraduate certificate in Real Estate and Community Development is also listed.
Metro State graduates 44% of its students and admits 99% of applicants, so the school is broadly accessible to students who meet basic requirements. Tuition is $8,571 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The program earns a Program Score of 63.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students in the Twin Cities who want a finance major with a quantitative core and the option to add insurance or real estate coursework, and who are comfortable.
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $10,440
- Out-of-state
- $20,880
A Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Banking and Financial Services concentration aimed at credit, lending and financial planning roles.
- Program Score 72
- 55% graduation rate
- $10,440 in-state tuition
- Banking and Financial Services concentration
Jacksonville State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a concentration in Banking and Financial Services, housed in the Finance, Economics and Accounting department. The page says students learn how financial institutions operate, how to manage money, and how to help individuals and businesses reach their financial goals. Graduates are described as equipped for consumer and commercial banking, credit analysis and financial planning. Potential careers listed include commercial loan officer, credit analyst, risk manager, financial planner and securities analyst, and a plan of study is published.
Jacksonville State reports a 55% graduation rate and a 78% admission rate. In-state tuition is $10,440 and out-of-state tuition is $20,880. Its Program Score is 72 out of 100, the basis for this program's ranking. The page cites Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual salaries of $52,747 for credit analysts and $73,000 for financial analysts. The program suits students who already know they want a banking or lending path and prefer a concentration tied to those jobs over a general finance track.
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $10,595
- Out-of-state
- $10,595
A fully online finance bachelor's degree-completion program that can be finished in as few as 18 months with transfer credit and prepares students for the CFA Level I exam.
- Program Score 68
- 53% graduation rate
- $10,595 tuition
- Online, as few as 18 months
Rasmussen University offers a bachelor's degree-completion program in finance, designed for students who already hold college credit. The school describes the curriculum as building skills to analyze data and make recommendations, develop budgets, forecasts and cash flow analysis, and build financial models. Students can choose an optional internship or a Capstone course to finish the degree, and the coursework prepares them academically for the Level I exam of the Chartered Financial Analyst credential. The program is fully online and, according to the school, students with qualifying transfer credits can complete it in as few as 18 months. It is also offered with a Flex Choice option that includes self-paced, competency-based courses.
Federal data show a 53% graduation rate at Rasmussen, which is an open-admission school. Tuition is $10,595 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program earns a Program Score of 68 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits adult learners and transfer students who need an online schedule and a faster route to a finance degree, with career paths the school ties to roles such as financial analyst and personal finance advisor.
Auburn University
Auburn, AL · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 82%
- Admit rate
- 46%
- In-state
- $11,016
- Out-of-state
- $33,048
Auburn University's finance major reports more than 200 student internships across 20 states in 2019, and a 100% senior employment rate for Financial Management Association Honor Society members.
- 82% graduation rate
- Program Score 93.0
- $11,016 in-state tuition
- 200+ internships in 20 states
Auburn University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance major covers corporate finance, financial institutions, financial markets and investments. The required sequence includes professional development in finance, principles and advanced business finance, investments, financial markets and institutions, and financial modeling, plus electives at the 3000 to 5000 level. The page groups recommended electives by career interest, starting with corporate finance, and notes that students working full time in a paid finance role may earn internship credit. According to the program page, more than 200 students completed internships in 20 states in 2019, and it reports a 100% junior internship placement rate and 100% senior employment rate for Financial Management Association Honor Society members over three years.
The Program Score is 93.0 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Auburn graduates 82% of its students and admits 46% of applicants. In-state tuition is $11,016 and out-of-state tuition is $33,048. The major suits students who want a quantitative finance curriculum with strong internship activity, whether they are heading to local institutions or to larger financial centers.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs
The median school on this list graduates 55% of its students. The highest rates belong to Auburn University (82%) and Florida International University (74%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.
- #11 Auburn University82% graduation rate
- #2 Florida International University74% graduation rate
- #7 University of Arkansas71% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs?
On this list, 2 of 11 schools are open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Auburn University at 46%.
- #11 Auburn University46% admitted
- #2 Florida International University55% admitted
- #7 University of Arkansas74% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs
This list holds 10 public and 1 for-profit schools.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Where the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs Are
The 11 ranked schools are spread across 8 states. Alabama (2), Arkansas (2), and Minnesota (2) are the only ones with more than one ranked school.
Main campus state as reported to IPEDS.
Campus Size Across the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs
Enrollment on this list runs from 2,733 at SUNY Polytechnic Institute to 63,012 at University of Maryland Global Campus. Of the 11, 4 enroll 20,000 students or more and 1 enrolls fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fort Hays State UniversityFort Hays State | $64,524 | $16,333 |
| #2 | Florida International UniversityFlorida International | $71,355 | $11,462 |
| #3 | Northwest Missouri State UniversityNorthwest Missouri State | $65,692 | $16,120 |
| #5 | Arkansas State UniversityArkansas State | $68,408 | $15,441 |
| #6 | University of Maryland Global CampusUMGC | $78,512 | $23,144 |
| #7 | University of ArkansasArkansas | $87,717 | $17,571 |
| #8 | Metropolitan State UniversityMetropolitan State | $74,237 | $26,556 |
| #9 | Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville State | $70,025 | $17,111 |
| #10 | Rasmussen University-MinnesotaRasmussen-Minnesota | $70,838 | $19,534 |
| #11 | Auburn UniversityAuburn | $84,352 | $25,424 |
Graduates of Arkansas earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $87,717; the lowest figure here is $64,524 at Fort Hays State.
Fort Hays State, the highest-ranked of these schools (#1), comes in at $64,524.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $11,462 a year at Florida International to $26,556 at Metropolitan State.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs Really Cost
In-state tuition across the ranked online programs runs $4,422 to $11,378 a year. That range is the in-state rate, which is what residents pay at a public school. Online students are often billed differently, on a flat per-credit tuition that applies wherever they live. Where that happens the resident discount disappears, and the cheapest program on this list may not be the cheapest one for you. Add fees and the number of credits required, then compare totals rather than headline rates.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Low Price, Real Accreditation
Price is the sort order on this page, not the entry requirement. Every program ranked is accredited and reports completion data to IPEDS, and anything below a real graduation floor is filtered out before price is considered. That filter earns its keep at the low end of the market, where unaccredited providers compete on tuition alone and leave graduates holding a credential employers and licensing boards do not recognize.
Cheapest Online vs. Best Online
This page sorts on price. To see the strongest online options instead, ranked on graduation rate, selectivity, and outcomes, our best online finance programs list uses the same pool ordered by Program Score. The most affordable finance programs ranking drops the online filter and includes campus programs, which is where the very lowest in-state prices tend to sit.
Best Bachelor's in Finance Programs by State
Prefer a state-by-state view? We rank Finance Programs in 16 states, each grounded in that state's real, accredited programs.
Keep Exploring
Cheapest Online Finance Degree Programs: Your Questions, Answered
What is the cheapest online finance degree?
Fort Hays State University has the lowest in-state tuition among accredited online options at $4,704 a year, followed by Florida International University and Northwest Missouri State University. Confirm whether the school charges online students that resident rate or a flat per-credit rate.
Are cheap online finance degree programs accredited?
The ones ranked here are. Accreditation and a real completion rate are applied as filters before price, so an unaccredited program cannot reach this list by being inexpensive.
Does an online finance degree cost less than on campus?
Sometimes. A flat per-credit online rate usually beats out-of-state tuition and often loses to a local public's in-state rate. Online study also removes relocation costs and lets many students keep working, which moves the real cost of the degree more than the tuition line does.
Do online finance degree programs charge the in-state rate?
Not always. Some public schools extend the resident rate to every online student; others charge by residency exactly as they do on campus. Confirm it with the school before comparing two programs on this page.