As a student, you are required to invest your time and money in your chosen program. Therefore, it is important to choose an accredited program that meets high standards: quality coursework, reputable professors and helpful student support services. The following sections provide lists of notable schools for both online degree seekers and traditional brick-and-mortar students.
Online
If you want to get a finance degree but have other responsibilities that take up a lot of time, consider enrolling in an accredited online program. An online finance program offers flexibility without sacrificing the quality of coursework. The following schools offer notable online programs:
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire / Online
Southern New Hampshire University offers Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science in Accounting Finance degrees online. These two programs prepare students for positions as personal finance advisors, budget analysts, tax preparation and planning specialists. SNHU is consistently noted as one of the best value schools in the U.S. and is ranked in the top 20 nationwide for online bachelors degree programs.
Penn State World Campus
State College, Pennsylvania / Online
Penn State World Campus offers an associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree in business, which can be customized for finance enthusiasts. The 30 credit Master’s in Finance degree is also offered. Students in this program participate in a cohort model. All students begin at the same time and progress through the courses together, providing a supportive and interactive network that is valuable to Penn State’s students.
W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona / Online
Arizona State University’s W.P Carey School of Business offers an online MBA program that students are able to customize with a specialization in finance. This program was ranked #2 by U.S. News and World Report. ASU’s online students have access to many of the same services that on-campus students do, including free tutoring and career advisors that are available via an online chat system.
Campus Only
If you enjoy face-to-face instruction and complete access to student resources, then a campus-only finance program is for you. The following schools have built a reputation for being the go-to institutions for finance.
The Wharton School-University of Pennsylvania
State College, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School offers an undergraduate degree, MBA and Ph.D. in finance through The Finance Department, which has four areas of specialization: Banking and Financial Institutions, Corporate Finance, Financial Instruments and Portfolio Management, and International Finance. As a student, you will have access to notable professors like Susan M. Wachter, who was recently featured in this Bloomberg article.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management offers a fast-paced, highly flexible Master of Finance degree. At only one year in duration, the MFin degree at MIT combines quantitative research with hands-on experience. MIT was ranked #7 by U.S. News and World Report’s 2014 Best Universities list and #3 in finance.
Ross School of Business at University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business offers a BBA, MBA, and Ph.D. program with a focus in finance. Both the BBA and the part-time MBA programs scored in the top ten for U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 list for best programs. Huffington Post referred to the Ross School of Business as the “best and most collaborative large U.S. college.” Not only will students be part of a renowned school, they will learn from a passionate and highly experienced faculty.