Online Finance Degree Bachelor of Science (BS)

Yes, many colleges offer finance programs both online and on campus.

Our online BS in Finance – along with most of our business programs – is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP is responsible for assessing "whether or not business programs offer a rigorous educational experience and commitment to continuous quality improvement."²

In the online finance degree program, you'll learn to:

• Create financial plans
• Support strategic goals
• Analyze statements
• Analyze methods
• Comply with policies

All of these skills can be learned in either a virtual or in-person environment.

This online BS in Finance will help position you for starting or continuing your career once you graduate. It can also set you up for success in continuing your education, such as with a master's in finance online or an MBA in Finance. Choosing to earn your degree online could allow you the flexibility to continue working and remain committed to any other responsibilities you may have. 

Classes in a bachelor's in finance program can help do more than just prepare you for money management – they can help you become a more well-rounded, savvy professional.

Like in any undergraduate program, you'll begin your degree with general education courses, which are crucial to your success in business and beyond. They can provide you with some of the most in-demand skills in today's workplace, including:

• Research and information analysis
• Diverse audience communication
• Critical thinking and ethical problem solving
• Leadership, emotional intelligence and collaboration

Beyond your general education requirements, you'll need to complete your business core courses. All business majors at Southern New Hampshire University take these classes, which give you a higher-level look at a variety of functions in the business world.

You'll learn about accounting, law, marketing, operations and international business, among other areas. This can help you understand where finance fits in terms of broad business concepts and operations. With this knowledge, you'll also feel empowered to collaborate with others in your organization to help solve bigger organizational challenges.

Business core courses pair well with the courses from your finance major, which give you the deep dive you need to succeed in the industry. Our curriculum provides a better understanding about the economy, financial statements, wealth management, ethics and the regulatory environment.

You'll also have the opportunity to either choose to take a handful of free electives in finance or add a financial planning degree concentration, a set of courses that meet the educational requirements for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® exam.

Many business degrees offer you versatility throughout your career. Someone who is skilled in finance is necessary in every organization, so your options are endless for careers in finance.

Some of these roles include:

• Account manager or financial manager
• Budget analyst or financial analyst
• Financial advisor or finance teacher
• Management analyst or risk analyst
• Personal banker or financial planner

Jobs in finance allow you to combine your passion for money management with various other interests. For example, you may believe in a new business venture and want to crunch the numbers that can help get the idea off the ground. Or, perhaps you want to analyze the costs and budgets that keep the lights on for a local nonprofit. No matter where you'd like to be, a finance degree can help you develop the skills to get there. You could enter any number of industries, including:

• Banks and credit unions
• Colleges and universities
• Credit rating agencies and insurance companies
• Government agencies and healthcare organizations
• Law offices, nonprofits and startups
• Sports and entertainment

Another option for finance graduates is to become self employed.

One notable alum of SNHU's bachelor's and master's in finance programs, Nathan Yates, did exactly that.

Armed with the knowledge, skills and support of fellow online students around the world, he was able to launch a consulting firm, adding new economic opportunities in his rural hometown in southwest Virginia.

"We serve two distinct markets: small businesses and much larger investment companies," Yates said. "One day we're updating a local deli's e-commerce website and the next day we publish an investment analysis that's read by a multi-billion dollar international asset manager."

Dr. Zuzana Buzzell, associate dean at Southern New Hampshire University, highlights the importance of finance degrees in these endeavors.

"A finance degree has long been recognized as one of the top degrees when owning a small business," said Buzzell. "Understanding the financial aspects of small business operations and smart budgeting is a key to long-term success of small business owners."

Depending on your educational background and your years of experience, a finance degree could help position you for roles with promising salary projections.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual salaries in 2023 included:¹

• Financial and investment analyst: $99,010
• Finance manager: $156,100
• Personal financial advisor: $99,580

In comparison, May 2023 data from the BLS reports the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.¹

While bachelor’s degrees are traditionally known as 4-year degrees, the time it takes to earn your online bachelor’s degree in finance depends on how many classes you take per term and how many credits you transfer in.

Depending on your previous college history, you might be more ahead than you think. If you’ve earned general education credits or taken classes in accounting, business or finance, you could have a considerable amount of your program completed already.

SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits for our undergraduate programs and will provide a free credit evaluation. This allows you to see how your previously earned credits will transfer before committing to a degree program, giving you a better idea of how long it will take you to graduate with your finance degree.

Our BS in Finance program has 18 free electives. If you’re transferring in a significant amount of credits, you may want to consider our online business degree with a concentration in finance, which features 33 free electives. Ask your admission counselor to help compare cost and time savings for each program.

For individuals who are interested in finance, we know that this is an important question, and it should be: after all, you need to know that your degree is a good investment. That's exactly why we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

At SNHU, the online undergraduate finance degree costs $330 per credit hour and requires 120 total credits to complete. Depending on your previous educational experience, you could also transfer in up to 90 credits, saving you years of class time and up to $29,700 on tuition.

Either choice could make an excellent career path in terms of salary expectations, job growth and personal fulfillment. Let's take a closer look at the two:

Finance

Between finance and accounting, finance can be thought of as the broader subject of the two areas.

A finance degree will help you build a strong foundation of knowledge in banking, economics and financial markets – all key skills to successfully run a business. Your coursework will explore topics in corporate finance, private equity, venture capital, financial planning, risk management and more. You'll take a close look at different markets, how they function and fluctuate and how to effectively manage and mitigate the risks inherent in investing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for financial and investment analysts are set to grow 8% through 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.¹ Financial and investment analysts earned a median income of $99,010 in May 2023.¹

While typical entry-level education for these roles is a bachelor's degree,¹ those who go on to take the CFP^® exam could position themselves for advancement in a more specialized area of finance.

Accounting

While there's some overlap in terms of skills, accounting is a bit more specialized than finance.

Mona Stephens, accounting faculty lead for SNHU, also points out a major misconception about accounting: that it's all complex mathematics.

"You don’t have to be good at math. We have technology to do the math," Stephens said. "Accounting is really all about problem solving and storytelling. How can we use this data to identify and solve problems? How can we tell the story of the data in a way that makes sense to non-accountants?"

An accounting degree online can prepare you for a career in the accounting field or one of the many adjacent career paths. Course content usually covers financial accounting, tax accounting, management accounting and forensic accounting. You'll also study business strategy, risk management, information systems, quantitative analysis and more. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for accountants and auditors will grow 4% through 2032.¹ Accountants and auditors comparably reported earning a median annual salary of $79,880 in May 2023.¹

While typical entry-level education for these roles is a bachelor's degree,¹ those who go on to take the CPA exam could position themselves for continued career advancement.

So, which career track is right for you? If you're still not sure, try taking a look at the course curriculum for each program to determine which better fits you. Ask yourself: "What are my strengths or career goals?" Reach out to students or professionals with firsthand experience. Or, just give us a call. Our admission team is happy to answer your questions about what to expect in each program.