Managing money and making smart financial decisions are essential skills business leaders must have, regardless of industry. Earning an online graduate certificate in finance is a flexible, fast way for working professionals to develop financial literacy, understand how financial markets function, sharpen analytical and budgeting skills, and more.
Unlike a master of business administration (MBA) in finance, which can take several years to complete, students can earn an online graduate certificate in finance in as little as 6-18 months. Most certificate programs require 12-18 credits. The average cost of the programs on our list is $12,673. However, factors like a school’s status as public or private or whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition will impact tuition rates.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts growth in several jobs that require financial expertise. For example, the employment of financial examiners is expected to increase by 20% through 2032. These individuals earn a median annual salary of $82,210. The agency also predicts a 13% increase in employment of financial advisors, who earn $95,390 annually.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Finance degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 21 Accredited Online Graduate Certificate in Finance Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Harvard Extension School
Intelligent Score: 98.86In-state: $49,653
Out-of-state: $49,653
In-state: $49,448
Out-of-state: $49,448
SAT: 1460-1580
ACT: 33-35
$775
Online, On-Campus
New England Commission of Higher Education
12
East Carolina University
Intelligent Score: 98.5In-state: $4,452
Out-of-state: $20,729
In-state: $4,749
Out-of-state: $4,749
SAT: 1020-1170
ACT: 19-24
Resident: $414
Non-Resident: $1,145
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
12
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Intelligent Score: 97.86In-state: $7,019
Out-of-state: $34,198
In-state: $10,552
Out-of-state: $10,552
SAT: 1280-1490
ACT: 28-33
$2,025
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
12
Stony Brook University
Intelligent Score: 95.56In-state: $7,070
Out-of-state: $24,740
In-state: $11,310
Out-of-state: $11,310
SAT: 1230-1440
ACT: 26-32
$565
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
18
Boston University
Intelligent Score: 95.01In-state: $56,854
Out-of-state: $56,854
In-state: $56,854
Out-of-state: $56,854
SAT: 1310-1500
ACT: 30-34
$955
Online, On-Campus, Blended
New England Commission of Higher Education
16
University of St. Francis
Intelligent Score: 94.22In-state: $31,144
Out-of-state: $31,144
In-state: $11,448
Out-of-state: $11,448
SAT: 960-1160
ACT: 19-25
$399
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
12
Colorado State University
Intelligent Score: 93.66In-state: $9,426
Out-of-state: $28,147
In-state: $10,520
Out-of-state: $10,520
SAT: 1070-1280
ACT: 23-29
$998
Online
Higher Learning Commission
11
University of California Riverside
Intelligent Score: 91.15In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $41,196
In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $11,442
SAT: 1310-1530
ACT: 30-35
$343
Online, On-Campus
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
23
Cornell University
Intelligent Score: 90.51In-state: $58,586
Out-of-state: $58,586
In-state: $29,500
Out-of-state: $29,500
SAT: 1400-1540
ACT: 32-35
$3,900 (per course)
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
6 (courses)
Penn State World Campus
Intelligent Score: 90.09In-state: $15,025
Out-of-state: $24,413
In-state: $22,464
Out-of-state: $22,464
SAT: 1070-1300
ACT: 24-29
$1,007
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
9
San Antonio College
Intelligent Score: 89.76In-state: $18,872
Out-of-state: $23,282
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: NA
ACT: NA
In-District: $109 Out-of-District: $180
Non-Resident: $476
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
18
University of Kentucky
Intelligent Score: 89.6In-state: $11,135
Out-of-state: $29,945
In-state: $12,189
Out-of-state: $12,189
SAT: 1070-1280
ACT: 22-29
Resident: $762
Non-Resident: $1,890
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
12
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Intelligent Score: 89.14In-state: $54,870
Out-of-state: $54,870
In-state: $35,515
Out-of-state: $35,515
SAT: 1030-1240
ACT: 21-28
$760
Online
Higher Learning Commission
12
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Intelligent Score: 89.14In-state: $48,850
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: NA
ACT: NA
$760
Online
Higher Learning Commission
12
Park University
Intelligent Score: 87.56In-state: $8,251
Out-of-state: $8,251
In-state: $6,224
Out-of-state: $6,224
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$560
Online
Higher Learning Commission
12
City University of Seattle
Intelligent Score: 84.46In-state: $13,658
Out-of-state: $13,658
In-state: $11,812
Out-of-state: $11,812
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$715
Online
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
15
University of California at Berkeley
Intelligent Score: 83.92In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $41,196
In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $11,442
SAT: 1310-1530
ACT: 30-35
$416 - $449
Online
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
15
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Intelligent Score: 83.69In-state: $40,100
Out-of-state: $40,100
In-state: $42,443
Out-of-state: $42,443
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$330 (per CEU)
Online
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
6 (CEU)
How to Choose an Online Graduate Certificate in Finance Program
Choose your area of study
Before you begin researching online graduate certificate in finance programs, it’s helpful to understand your educational and career goals so you can find a program that fits your needs.
Graduate certificate programs are designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and some professional experience. Students often seek this type of certificate as a way to improve their skills so they can move to middle or upper management positions or transition to more finance-focused positions from another area.
Some programs are open to students of all educational backgrounds, while others require students to have an undergraduate degree in finance or a related field. Students interested in developing finance skills and knowledge may also want to consider an MBA, master of accounting, or master of finance (MFin) before selecting a graduate certificate program.
This is also a good time to consider what type of online certificate program you want. Determine whether an asynchronous or synchronous course delivery method suits your needs and if you’ll enroll full-time or part-time.
Research schools and programs
The parameters you set in the first step will guide you as you research and consider programs. Visiting a school’s website is a great place to start gathering information on their certificate in finance programs. You can also contact schools via phone or email to speak to an admissions counselor, participate in virtual information sessions or open houses, and follow schools and programs on social media to learn more.
In addition to researching the program’s curriculum, cost, financial aid availability, faculty, and logistics, you should verify that the program is offered by an accredited institution. Institutional accreditation confirms that the school and its programs meet quality standards and affects student eligibility for financial aid, professional certifications and employment opportunities, and the transferability of credits to other schools. Students can check their school’s accreditation status via the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database.
Prepare for applications
This step will vary based on the individual school and program. Some programs require an application, while others allow students to enroll directly without applying first. Check with individual schools to confirm their admissions procedures as well as any eligibility requirements they may have. For graduate certificate programs, students must typically have a bachelor’s degree. The program may also require students to have prerequisite coursework or professional experience in finance or a minimum undergraduate GPA.
Applications for certificate programs may include the following:
- Completed application and fee
- Official transcript from undergraduate college
- Resume or CV
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- GRE or GMAT scores
Select your program
Once you’ve gathered sufficient information on programs, compare them and determine which option best suits your needs and goals. If multiple programs seem like a good fit, you can apply to all of them and choose based on where you are accepted.
Some things to consider when comparing programs are curriculum, faculty qualifications and areas of expertise, cost, available financial aid, course delivery method, and completion time.
Determine how you’ll pay for your certificate
If you haven’t already, speak to a financial aid counselor to get specific information on how much the program costs, including tuition and fees. You’ll also want to confirm that the certificate program is eligible for federal financial aid, like student loans, grants, and work-study. Not all certificate programs are eligible for this type of financial support, so it’s important to clarify this before proceeding.
If your program is eligible for federal student aid, the next step is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use this information to determine your eligibility for need-based aid like federal student loans, grants, scholarships, and more. You can also explore merit-based aid resources, like scholarships from your school, private organizations, non-profit foundations, or community groups.
Students who are working while earning an online graduate certificate should inquire with their employer to see if they can receive tuition assistance benefits.
What Can You Expect From an Online Graduate Certificate in Finance Program
Online graduate certificates in finance are designed to equip working professionals with the essential financial knowledge and skills they need for management and leadership roles. Coursework builds on students’ existing experience while introducing advanced concepts related to financial accounting, financial statement analysis, financial strategy and decision-making, risk management, and more.
Courses may be delivered synchronously, in which students meet virtually at regularly scheduled times, or asynchronously, meaning there are no actual classes, and students complete lessons and assignments entirely on their own time. Students who learn best through discussion and other real-time interaction may prefer a synchronous program, while those who need maximum flexibility may find an asynchronous program works best.
Because these programs tend to cater to working professionals, they usually don’t have an experiential learning component, like an internship. However, many do use case studies to prepare students for scenarios they’ll face in the real world.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online graduate certificate in finance program
- Financial Accounting: Helps students become informed users of financial statement information and teaches them how to analyze financial statements and other corporate disclosures.
- Corporate Financial Strategy: Prepares students to rigorously analyze major issues affecting the financial policies of corporations, including capital structure, dividend policy, corporate governance structure, and the process of raising capital through IPOs and SEOs.
- Managerial Finance: Introduces students to financial management issues faced by financial managers in today’s business environment, including time value analysis, equity financing and security markets, capital structure and the cost of capital, asset management and financing, and more.
- Mergers and Acquisitions: Examines the corporate valuation process by which takeovers and other corporate control transactions take place, including financial forecasting, scenario analysis, and due diligence.
Online Graduate Certificate in Finance Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online graduate certificate in finance program?
Visit the program’s website or speak to an admissions counselor to learn the specific procedures for applying to an online graduate certificate in finance program.
Enrollment processes vary, with some schools requiring an application and others allowing students to directly enroll without applying. A standard application for an online graduate certificate program typically requires official transcripts from previously attended schools, a resume or CV, a personal statement, a letter of recommendation, and GRE or GMAT scores.
Regardless of application procedures, students should also be mindful of application dates and start terms. Some certificate programs admit students multiple times throughout the academic year, while others only enroll new students once or twice yearly. Missing application deadlines can delay the start of your program.
How much does an online graduate certificate in finance cost?
The cost of an online graduate certificate in finance will vary depending on the type of institution you’re attending (private or public) and whether you’re considered an in-state or out-of-state student at a public university.
The average cost of the programs included in our list is $12,673. However, financial aid resources like scholarships, loans, grants, and employer tuition assistance benefits will impact the total amount that students end up paying out of pocket. Students should be aware that there may also be fees for online classroom technology or resources in addition to tuition.
How long does it take to earn an online graduate certificate in finance?
The number of required credits and the pace of the program determine how long it takes to complete an online graduate certificate in finance program. The more credits a program requires, the longer it will take to finish. Also, enrolling in a program part-time will increase the amount of time it takes to complete the program. In general, the shortest amount of time a certificate program takes is six months, while the longest programs can take up to two years.
Compare School Options
Related Degrees
- Business Management
- Training and Development
- Entertainment Management
- Hospitality Management
- International Business
- Negotiation and Conflict Management
- Management
- Logistics
- Entrepreneurship
- Organizational Management