Consider Your Future Goals

To find the right online finance master’s program for you, first think about your personal and professional ambitions, which can help you figure out your ideal starting point.

If you aim to pursue an advanced finance role after completing your master’s program, seek institutions that offer strong opportunities for networking. Plus, schools in locations with major financial sectors may increase your chances at landing internships or jobs after graduation. New York, for example, has more finance professionals than any other U.S. state.

If you plan to teach or perform research in academia, it may be beneficial to prioritize master’s programs at universities that also offer relevant doctoral degrees. Institutions may offer tuition discounts for alums, and attending the same school for both your master’s and your doctorate can simplify the transition to a doctoral program.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) tracks figures among public and private institutions to compare costs for master’s degrees. According to NCES data for the 2020-21 school year, public institutions charged in-state graduate students an average of $12,394 in tuition and fees. Private schools cost significantly more, averaging $26,621.

Tuition rates vary widely among the schools in our list of the top online master’s in finance, starting at about $8,960 per year and exceeding $43,000 per year on the higher end. On average, these 10 programs average about $19,000 per year in tuition.

Fortunately, financial aid is there to help you pay for your education. Make sure to fill out a FAFSA to get a detailed look into the types of aid you qualify for. Loans from the federal government and other sources require repayment, but sources like grants and scholarships do not. To minimize your overall financial burden, research available scholarships and grants before turning to loans.

Scholarship providers may offer funding based on academic achievement, identity and/or need. For example, the Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate scholarship provides $4,000 to women seeking graduate education in fields like finance if they plan to pursue professional roles in transportation-related fields.