Key Information:
- Auburn University is the #1 fastest online bachelor’s in finance degree program.
- Accelerated online programs allow for the completion of a finance degree in significantly less time than traditional paths, with some as quick as 18 months.
- Programs often accept transfer credits, which can further reduce the time needed to graduate.
- A bachelor’s in finance is designed to quickly prepare students for finance careers, emphasizing job-ready skills and knowledge.
“I need a bachelor’s degree fast!” said thousands of working adults in the last decade, and colleges and universities all over the US have responded with accelerated online degree programs for working adults interested in a finance career. For young businesspeople, career-changing professionals, and working adults looking to enroll and finish a long-delayed bachelor’s degree, accelerated online finance programs offer an overall benefit – an in-demand, job market-ready Bachelor’s in Finance in a format that lets them keep their current job and work around their demanding schedules. Quick and easy online degrees don’t get much more lucrative than an online bachelor’s degree in finance.
Methodology: Ranking the Fastest Online Degree Completion Programs in Finance
To rank the Fastest Online Finance Degree Bachelor’s Programs for 2019, Bachelor’s Degree Center searched for some very specific parameters: regionally-accredited colleges and universities offering accelerated online bachelor completion programs that can be finished in 24 months or less. To rank the resulting programs, we used a few criteria:
- Time to Completion
- Transfer Credits Accepted
- Multiple Start Dates
- Accelerated Courses
The Fastest Online Finance ranking features the institutions that are most generous with transfers, fastest, and most convenient for students’ schedules. See also our ranking of the Best Online Bachelor in Business Administration.
1. Auburn University — Auburn Online
Auburn University’s online BS in Business Administration is an accelerated program that teaches marketing, finance, management and accounting to students. It allows working students to complete the degree in two years, and allows students to transfer credits from other universities to finish the degree at a fast pace. Accelerated online degree programs for working adults from Auburn University allow busy professionals to focus on their long-term career goals and start improving their opportunities.
Auburn University has been Alabama’s foremost public research university since 1872, though it dates back still further. With its focus on the needs of Alabama’s working people, Auburn makes it easy for career-changing adults and working professionals to focus on their goals. Auburn is ranked one of the top 50 public universities by U.S. News and World Report, which gives employers confidence in an applicant’s education. The school is accredited and is designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, and its online BSBA is one of the fastest online degree completion programs in the South.
School: Harbert College of Business
Degree: BS in Business Administration (BSBA) degree completion program
How Quick?: 24 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
2. Rasmussen College
For fast and easy online degrees in finance, Rasmussen College’s online accelerated Finance Bachelor’s Degree completion program allows student to complete bachelor degree in 18 months and provides a Flex Choice option to fit their schedule and goals. The Flex Choice degree program means students can take traditional coursework and self-directed assessments for an educational experience that works with their long-term goals and situation. Rasmussen recognizes the growing interest in more specialized financial skills and the CFA designation, combining courses and internships to prepare students for the first exam as a Certified Financial Analyst, or CFA.
Rasmussen College is a unique regionally-accredited, for-profit institution based in Minnesota. Founded in 1900, Rasmussen began as a business school, intended to provide training in an area without formal business education, and business is still its primary focus. Rasmussen began its online division in 2002, and has since become a leading name in online business education. Their accelerated online degree programs for working adults have earned Rasmussen a reputation far beyond its humble beginnings.
School: Business School
Degree: Accelerated Finance Bachelor’s degree completion
How Quick?: 18 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
3. California State University East Bay — Cal State East Bay Online
The College of Management offers California State University East Bay’s online BSBA-Finance concentration . The key aspect that sets the degree program apart is the flexibility in relation to their education. Students complete the entire degree online at a pace that fits their schedule and goals. The flexibility in their schedule means students can complete a bachelor degree in 12 months, or students can take longer for their degree. That allows students to finish a degree while students work in a career while giving them the foundation to start working in a financial position. Altogether, it’s an excellent example of the fastest online degree completion programs in California
CSU East Bay is a regional university ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the top public institutions in the West. Beginning in 1957, CSU East Bay serves the San Francisco Bay region, with a particular mission to provide opportunity for the working class and underserved. CSU East Bay has been called the most diverse college in California, and its reach has extended with its online degree programs. Cal State uses online programs to provide accelerated online degree programs for working adults, offering some of the best quick and easy online degrees in the nation.
School: College of Management
Degree: BSBA in Finance
How Quick?: 24 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
4. University of Maryland University College — UMUC Global Campus
One of the fastest online degree completion programs, the University of Maryland University College online BS in Finance program allows students to transfer up to 90 credits from previous colleges or universities. The ability to transfer a large number of credits allows students to complete a bachelor degree in 18 months or less without wasting time on general studies they have already finished. UMUC’s Finance BS program is a Certified Financial Planner board-certified program, giving students confidence in their finance skills when they complete their degree.
The University of Maryland University College is one of the most unique public institutions in the nation. Founded in 1947 as UM’s urban, adult-education division, UMUC is an independent, largely distance-based university focused on the needs of working adults. UMUC is one of the largest public online universities, with more than 90,000 students, and specializes in accelerated online degree programs for working adults.
School: Undergraduate School
Degree: BS in Finance
How Quick?: 15 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
5. Lamar University — LU Online
Lamar University’s online Bachelor of Business Administration Finance concentration gives students the opportunity to complete their finance degree in a fully online format. The General Business degree with a Finance concentration allows students to transfer credits from another university to complete their degree in a timely manner. Accelerated online degree programs for working adults from Lamar University give students the ability to work around their schedule and work on their long-term goals, usually in less than two years.
Lamar University has been providing educational opportunities for the people of Southeast Texas for nearly a century, beginning in 1923 as a junior college. Today, Lamar is a public research university known especially for its outreach to working adults and for its copious online degree programs. Lamar has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top colleges in the US for online bachelor’s degrees, with some of the fastest online degree completion programs in Texas.
School: College of Business
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration — Finance concentration
How Quick?: 24 months
6. University of Houston at Clear Lake — UHCL Online
The University of Houston at Clear Lake online BS in Finance is one of the fastest online degree completion programs in Texas. The online program allows students to transfer credits from another university or degree program, so students can complete their bachelor degree when it fits their schedule, in less than 2 years. The AACSB-accredited College of Business program focuses on teaching students real-world applications of financial studies. The topics students learn in the coursework range from statistics and accounting to financial statement analysis and international finance.
UH Clear Lake has been making its reputation since 1971, when the University of Houston opened a Clear Lake campus to provide education for the Manned Spacecraft Center. Its unique focus on practical, applied science extends to its business programs, and Houston is known for nothing if not big, big business. As for accelerated online degree programs for working adults — UHCL has earned accolades from U.S. News and many others not only as a top regional university, but as one of the best online educators in the nation.
School: College of Business
Degree: BS in Finance
How Quick?: 24 months
7. Bemidji State University — BSU Extended Learning
Bemidji State University’s online BS in Business Administration-Finance concentration allows students to complete their degree without wasting their time. The program requires students to transfer at least 24 credits from another university or college to start the completion program, but can transfer up to half the require 120 credits. The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum makes it easy for students to transfer credits from any Minnesota State Colleges and Universities member, providing accelerated online degree programs for working adults in all sorts of fields.
For a century now, Bemidji State University has been providing opportunity for Minnesota’s working adults, since its founding in 1919 as a teacher training school. Today, BSU works to achieve its goal of giving people across Minnesota a chance, not only through its own campus, but through its many fully online and hybrid programs. Bemidji State has emerged as an online leader, and its affordable tuition — with no out-of-state fees for online students — has made it a virtual destination for students around the world looking for quick and easy online degrees.
School: Business Administration
Degree: BSBA in Finance
How Quick?: 24 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
8. Bellevue University
Bellevue University’s online BS in Business degree program focuses on transferrable, immediately applicable business skills, giving students a well-rounded view of company growth and development. Students learn about marketing, finance, accounting, economics, human resource management and other management skills that give them a competitive edge when starting a new career in a company. Designed around a cohort format, students get strong support and networking even in fully online classes. The online BS is also perfectly designed to roll right into an MS in Finance program, and students can finish their bachelor degree in 18 months.
Bellevue University began in 1966 with a revolutionary mission to provide affordable, accessible education for working adults. In 1966, that was just local outreach, but Bellevue has remained an innovator and pioneer, establishing accelerated degree completion programs in the 1980s and branching into online education early. In fact, Bellevue is ranked one of the top 10 online undergraduate colleges by U.S. News, with some of the nation’s best accelerated online degree programs for working adults.
School: College of Business
Degree: BS in Business — Finance and Accounting
How Quick?: 18 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
9. DeSales University ACCESS
DeSales University’s online BS in Finance accelerated program allows students to study for the CFP exam and obtain a certificate in Financial Management and Financial Planning. That gives students a competitive edge by providing unique skills that will help them stand out when seeking a career in the finance industry. The school is accredited by the ACBSP, so students can feel confident that employers will consider the online degree in the same manner as a traditional degree program. With transfer credits, students can potentially finish their bachelor degree in 18 months.
DeSales University ACCESS (founded in 1977) is one of the nation’s most innovative and impressive evening and online adult education programs, with accelerated 6 and 8‑week courses and the benefit of allowing online students to attend on-campus day classes when convenient. DeSales was built on the needs of working adults and other nontraditional students, from the time it was founded in 1966 as a different sort of Catholic college. Today, DeSales is one of the most respected business schools in Pennsylvania, offering accelerated online degree programs for working adults in the most convenient ways possible.
School: ACCESS
Degree: BS in Finance
How Quick?: 18 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
10. Post University
Post University’s online BS in Finance degree program allows students to take courses online, but students can also attend classes on-campus when it fits their schedule. The ACBSP-accredited program focuses on financial management and policy making as well as valuable skills like communication and financial planning. The key aspect that sets Post University apart from other online programs and schools is the training students receive to obtain Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 6 and the Series 7 exams, which are vital for a career in the finance industry.
A private, for-profit university founded in 1890, Post University is dedicated to business. Post’s modus operandi is flexibility; since the 1970s, when it began its accelerated programs for veterans, the university puts a priority on working with busy professionals to make their degree completion programs as manageable as possible. All 127 credits of the BS in Finance can be earned online, but generous transfer policies — as much a 90 credits — ensure that online degree completion students can get their bachelor degree in 12 months. Few accelerated online degree programs for working adults offer what Post has to offer.
School: N/A
Degree: BS in Finance
How Quick?: 12 months
Click here for more information about the finance degree!
How Quickly Can I Finish a Finance Degree?
A traditional bachelor’s degree generally takes 4 years, but many adult students and working professionals are in a hurry to secure their degrees, and the opportunities (like higher pay) that come along with a bachelor’s degree in finance. “I need a bachelor degree in 18 months,” “I need a bachelor degree in 12 months,” I need a degree fast!” – if you’ve said some variation recently, there’s good news: you can get a degree online in 6 months, earn a bachelor degree in 12 months, or even finish a bachelor degree in 18 months (so leisurely!) with accelerated online degree programs for working adults in the comfort of your own home. It’s not four years anymore!
Since accurate timing is required on issues pertaining investment, a course that you are at liberty to start at any time of the year fits the bill. An online bachelor of science in finance offers exactly that. With the option of self-paced classes, you can decide how fast you want to work, and how soon you want to be through. Be aware, though, that how long a degree takes depends on what you bring to the table: transfer credits and your motivation are two key elements.
Are Accelerated Online Degree Programs for Working Adults?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) makes it clear that a bachelor’s degree is essential for financial examiners and personal financial advisors. The incredible flexibility of accelerated online programs enables a working adult to choose how to conveniently study between work and family responsibilities, and quickly complete the course. Models are available which are intentionally developed to suit these adult learners through the accelerated online degree program for working adults.
Condensed courses allow adult students to focus on completing one course (condensed) for better balancing of time between different responsibilities. It still carries the same study content but can be done in a more time-efficient manner.
Accelerated courses take a 4 or 3 credit course and compress it to cover a shorter time than the traditional 15 weeks. Through an accelerated degree program for working adults, courses can be completed in just 5 to 8 weeks.
Self-Paced Programs offer flexibility at its best; the learner can determine when to speed up or slow down depending on his/her work schedule demands.
Of course, it is important to look into the school’s accreditation, financial aid offerings, and all of the usual signs of a good program. If you expect to get a master’s degree later, a good BBA will help.
Is a Bachelor Degree Completion Program in Finance Right for Me?
Finance is one of the fastest online degree completion programs that can be done in a short time. The financial sector is expected to generate a massive number of jobs in the near future, which makes the online platform very advantageous as it will ensure you meet your job prospects and targets.
Online learning ensures a cost-effective education program as all the overhead costs are easily eliminated. Your salary is also set to increase by the time you earn your online bachelor of finance degree, so no productive time is lost. This is of great benefit both to you and your family – the family bond is also not broken due to separation.
Academically, you stand to enjoy a more interactive, richer education which enhances the ability to retain knowledge. Email connectivity with colleagues and lecturers ensures that no stone is left unturned as far as the acquisition of knowledge is concerned. The bottom line is, learners and their families benefit immensely. The college benefits too, since the fastest online degree completion program eases pressure off their physical infrastructure.
In a bachelor’s program you’ll learn about:
- risk management
- financial services fundamentals
- financial analysis
- corporate finance
- portfolio management
- financial markets
- personal finance
- financial accounting
- valuation
- macroeconomics
- forecasting
- financial reporting
- personal financial planning
- nonprofit and business management
- estate planning
With these skills, there are many career paths. You can work in wealth management, become a budget analyst at financial institutions, become a chartered financial analyst, and much more. Anyone working in a financial decision-making capacity
Are Online Finance Degrees Easier than Traditional Programs?
For those seeking quick and easy online degrees, online finance degrees are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that course contents are the same for online and traditional programs – online finance degrees are not “easier” than traditional. However, going online has far more advantages for working adults compared to their traditional counterparts.
Online degrees take much shorter time to complete. A 16-week course in the traditional on-campus setting can be effectively done in only 8 weeks, paving way for quick and easy online degrees of same value.
Scheduling of online finance degrees is more flexible than on-campus programs. That means, with the best accelerated degree programs for working adults, you have the leeway of doing your coursework while balancing between your family and work duties, provided that you meet the deadlines.
Attending an online school is time and cost efficient. All you need is to log in – no need to commute to and from class with all the expenses and inconveniences involved. They are also usually cheaper, because quick and easy online degrees take fewer semesters of fees and other expenses. Doing your course online provides you with the privilege of enjoying short bursts of learning sessions anytime and anywhere, which enhances genuine understanding and retention.
Obviously, you still need to do the work — case studies, elective courses, core courses general education. If you are learning part-time, the process may also take longer than full-time. Many programs also require a capstone project.
With an online finance degree program, there is unlimited access to educational resources through contact with other colleges across the globe.
Related Rankings:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Finance Degree Programs
15 Best Online Finance Degree Bachelors Programs
