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2025At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Affordable Online Finance Programs
- #1: University of North Carolina at Greensboro — UNCG’s online finance degree offers a highly affordable in-state tuition cost per credit.
- #2: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — UMN Online offers disability resources, technology help, and career counseling for online students.
- #3: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater — This online bachelor’s in finance emphasizes financial strategic management.
If you’re interested in studying finance but are worried about tuition prices, read on for our list of the top affordable online finance degrees.
These degree programs earned the highest scores based on our ranking system. We designed this methodology with insights gathered from student surveys, focusing on the factors that matter most to them, such as:
- Affordability (30% of total score)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
With this in mind, note that the programs in our list are not necessarily the cheapest you’ll find. But our data indicates they deliver a strong balance of affordability and educational value.
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Best Affordable Online Finance Degrees
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
How We Rank Schools
Why UNCG Made Our List
UNCG’s online bachelor’s in finance focuses on the theory, organization, and operation of financial systems. The program does this from both a market and managerial perspective by immersing students in the local business community to ultimately help prepare them for the chartered financial analyst (CFA) certification exam.
Why Attend UNCG
- Low Tuition Costs for Residents: Fully online students who live in North Carolina can expect to pay just $235 per credit — about 28% less than what on-campus students pay.
- Low Net Price: After receiving financial aid, you can expect to pay roughly $11,000 a year on average.
- High Retention Rate: 78% of first-year students are likely to re-enroll the following year, indicating high satisfaction among students across majors.
Know Before You Go
- Many Students Take Out Loans: Despite the program’s low annual net price, nearly half of all students (45%) take out loans to attend.
- Lower Graduation Rate: Just 57% of undergraduates complete their programs at UNCG, suggesting that the cost of attending might still be too high for some.
$ 4,422
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
$19,582
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Students Enrolled
- 17,743
- Institution Type
- Public
Why UMN Made Our List
UMN Online’s bachelor’s in finance program is designed to expand your understanding of financial performance and risk, consumer needs, and more. You’ll learn to describe and apply financial concepts and prepare personal financial plans. We love that UMN boasts several student support services for online students, including disability resources, technology help, and career counseling.
Why Attend UMN Online
- High Admission Rate: More than 3 in 4 UMN Online applicants are admitted each year.
- Low Tuition Costs: UMN Online students pay just $448 per credit.
- High Graduation Rate: Over 4 in 5 UMN students make it to graduation.
Know Before You Go
- Higher Net Price: While UMN’s average annual net price is under $17,000, it’s still higher than that of most other schools on our list.
- Online Student Resources: Fully online students who want to utilize mental health resources can only do so on one of UMN’s five campuses.
$14,496
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
$34,410
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,890
- Institution Type
- Public
Why UW-Whitewater Made Our List
UW-Whitewater’s fully online bachelor’s in finance focuses on financial strategic management. It offers courses in security valuation, corporate financial management, banking, real estate, and insurance. Graduates often apply for jobs like analyst, financial planner, and investment manager.
Why Attend UW-Whitewater
- Low Tuition Costs: For the 2024-2025 academic year, online tuition at UW-Whitewater runs at $412 per credit.
- Lower Net Price: After receiving financial aid, the average student is responsible for just under $14,000 a year.
- Expansive Online Resources: Fully online students have access to academic advising, library services, technical support, mentoring, and career services.
Know Before You Go
- Many Students Take Out Loans: Despite boasting a lower annual net price than most other schools on our list, 47% of students still need to take out loans to cover costs.
- Limited Electives for Online Students: Though all required courses are offered to online students, not all electives are available online.
$ 6,582
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
$16,247
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,522
- Institution Type
- Public
Why Missouri State Made Our List
Missouri State’s fully online bachelor’s in finance program aims to help students become investment and asset managers for individuals, companies, and public agencies. You’ll develop key business skills that can help you secure a job as a budget analyst, loan officer, or broker.
Why Attend Missouri State
- Low, Flat-Rate Tuition Costs: Whether you reside in Missouri or not, all online undergraduates enjoy a flat-rate tuition cost of $302 per credit.
- Most Students Don’t Need Loans: Fewer than 1 in 3 students (31%) take out federal or private loans to cover school costs.
Know Before You Go
- Higher Average Net Price: Despite low tuition costs, the average annual net price after financial aid is over $17,000, which is higher than that of other schools on our list.
- Lower Graduation Rates: Just 57% of Missouri State students complete their programs, suggesting that other factors may make it difficult for students to stay enrolled.
$ 7,812
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
$16,716
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Students Enrolled
- 23,418
- Institution Type
- Public
Why NW Missouri State Made Our List
NW Missouri State’s online bachelor’s in finance centers on money management. You’ll learn the fundamentals of finance and develop financial expertise in risks, investments, planning, and budgeting. You’ll also get to experience real-life learning scenarios that move teachings from theory to practice.
Why Attend NW Missouri State
- Low Tuition Costs: Fully online students pay just $347 per credit for a BS in corporate finance.
- Shorter Courses: You can take advantage of seven-week courses, which allow you to complete your degree at a faster pace.
Know Before You Go
- Many Students Take Out Loans: After receiving financial aid, 47% of students still need to take out loans to cover costs.
- Lower Graduation Rate: Just 58% of NW Missouri State students complete their programs, a much lower graduation rate than those of other schools on our list.
$ 6,442
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
$12,884
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,664
- Institution Type
- Public
Why the Cheapest Online Finance Degree Program Isn’t Always the Most Affordable
Enrolling in the cheapest online finance program you can find might seem like a smart money-saving move. However, low tuition doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the best value.
When tuition is unusually low, you may be sacrificing educational quality for easy cost cuts, and that can negatively impact your earning potential and career growth down the road.
It’s also crucial to understand the difference between published tuition rates — a program’s “sticker price” — and its net cost. Net cost represents the amount of money you need to spend out of pocket to attend a program. In the simplest terms, it’s the program’s tuition fees minus any financial aid you receive to lower those fees.
Check the table below, for example, for just how wide the gap between a program’s published tuition rates and its out-of-pocket cost can be:
| Institution Name | Northwestern University | University of Missouri–St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Yearly Cost of Tuition | $87,804 | $32,289 |
| Avg. Net Tuition After Aid | $23,341 | $11,577 |
| Avg. Savings from Aid | ~73% | ~64% |
Benefits of Getting an Affordable Finance Degree Online
- 75% of online bachelor’s students and program graduates say an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
- 98% of surveyed students say they would encourage others to pursue online learning formats.
- 90% of polled students believe their online program has or will put them in a position to earn a positive return on their educational investment.
- Online programs are generally more affordable — a factor that ranks as a top priority for 57% of poll respondents.
How Much Does a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance Cost?
Bachelor’s in Business, 2019-2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees:$10,476
Avg. Net Price: $5,928
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $16,921
Avg. Net Price: $9,231
Program format has a significant impact on costs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), campus-based programs cost around 61% more than online ones. However, financial aid can lower the cost of attendance at similar rates, regardless of program format.
The average out-of-pocket cost of an on-campus finance program was about 45.5% less after financial aid, while online students paid 43.4% less. According to the NCES, around 84% of all undergraduate students received financial aid for the 2019-20 school year.
Find Financial Aid for Your Finance Degree
What Is an Online Finance Degree’s ROI?
Calculating the exact return on investment (ROI) for an online finance degree can be difficult. However, prevailing salary averages can help you estimate. To illustrate, let’s compare the average starting salary of someone with a bachelor’s in finance against the average cost of an online finance degree.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), graduates with a bachelor’s degree in finance from the class of 2023 had an average starting salary of $72,230. This salary represents approximately 172% of the total cost of a four-year online program compared to the average tuition cost of an online finance degree (around $42,000 without financial aid).
With that in mind, remember that several other factors may impact your ROI. You may pursue a niche specialization or earn an in-demand professional certification, both of which could boost your earning potential.
In the end, striking the right balance between program affordability and academic quality positions you to increase your ROI over both the short and long term.
How to Save Money on Your Online Finance Degree
It makes sense to want to save as much money on a college degree. These strategies can help:
-
Apply for Financial Aid
-
Start at a Community College
-
Apply Existing Credits
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the first step to being considered for most federal aid programs you’re eligible for, including grants, scholarships, and work-study. Many other state-level and institutional aid programs also use FAFSA data.
Students often think of community colleges as a lower tier of higher education, but they offer considerable benefits — especially if you’re on a tight budget. They’re much more affordable than four-year institutions, and many offer transfer opportunities that let you continue your degree at a four-year university.
If you’ve already taken classes at an accredited college, transferring credits can reduce your credit requirements and save you some money. Depending on your school, program, or background, you may also qualify for:
You can also have prior courses assessed by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). With these evaluations, you can turn prior training, professional experience, or certifications into legitimate college credit, speeding up your graduation timeline.
Test Out of Lower‑Division Courses
Check if your school offers College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exams for credit. Passing these demonstrates you already have subject-specific knowledge and can help you skip general or introductory courses.
Since schools usually calculate tuition fees on a per-credit or per-course basis, testing out can save you money by reducing your credit requirements.
Attend a “Free” Tuition School
Some colleges offer free tuition, allowing eligible students to earn a degree at no cost. However, eligibility requirements may be stringent, and you may not have any such options available in your area. In this case, prioritize affordability by cost with the educational quality of the program. You can do that by comparing tuition against accreditation status, graduation rates, faculty credentials, student support resources, and career outcomes of graduates.
Ask an Expert About Affordable Online Finance Degrees
You definitely want to prioritize institutions with regional accreditation first, since that ensures the school meets broad academic standards and allows things like transfer credits, access to federal aid, and smoother paths into grad school.
Beyond that, it is worth looking for specialized business accreditations such as AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE. These signal that the program is held to a professional standard that employers recognize and can make a difference for career opportunities down the line in both the public and private sectors.
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