Online MBA in finance
Earn your online MBA in finance on a flexible schedule from a leading university on edX.
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It's possible to gain the skills and credentials you need to qualify for leadership or C-suite roles in finance — all while continuing to work.
An online MBA program with a finance specialization can help you build advanced financial expertise while broadening your knowledge of essential business areas such as negotiation, communication, entrepreneurship, and even Python for business analytics.
Earn an online MBA in finance with top universities on edX
Obtain a master's degree from a top university
Study online through a graduate program delivered by an accredited university, and graduate with a diploma recognized by employers.
Find a flexible online schedule
Balance your coursework with your professional and personal commitments by completing your MBA at a pace that works for you.
Access networking opportunities
Participate in discussions with expert faculty and peers, cultivating professional connections and new career opportunities.
Find the best MBA programs for finance on edX
Why pursue an online MBA in finance?
Earning an online MBA in finance may enable you to explore new roles that extend beyond traditional finance positions.
The broad-based business education you’ll receive provides the versatility needed to thrive across diverse industries and may lead to higher-paying leadership positions.
Skills you'll learn:
- Strategic decision-making
- Leadership and effective communication
- Negotiation and sales expertise
- Entrepreneurial thinking and innovation
- Data analytics for financial strategy
What to expect from a finance MBA program
Online MBA programs in finance combine broad coverage of business administration essentials with in-depth finance coursework. Business schools design these programs to help students build versatile business management knowledge to complement finance expertise.
Finance programs typically focus on markets, investing, financial analysis, and business deals like mergers and acquisitions. Individuals who are analytical, business-minded, and interested in financial strategy may be well-suited for an MBA in finance.
While finance is a popular MBA track, it is just one of the many you can pursue. Consider all available concentration options before applying to find the best one for your career goals.
MBA in finance curriculum
Some MBA in finance programs have rigidly structured curricula consisting mainly or entirely of required courses. Others offer more flexibility by allowing students to pursue areas of specific interest through finance electives.
Courses you may encounter include:
- Quantitative analysis and decision-making
- Managerial accounting
- Financial management
- Investment analysis
- Case studies in business finance
Programs typically include about 30–36 credits' worth of classes. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in a related field, you may need to complete additional prerequisite courses.
Admission requirements for an online MBA in finance
When comparing different online MBA programs in finance, carefully review admission requirements, as these vary by program and institution and can change from year to year.
Below are some of the standard admission requirements for online MBA programs:
- from an accredited institution
- Official academic transcripts
- GMAT or GRE scores, with waivers possible for applicants who have relevant work experience
- Statement of purpose or essay explaining why you're a good fit for the program
- Letters of recommendation from supervisors or academic mentors
- Résumé or CV outlining your professional experience
Additional requirements may include:
- Proof of previous work experience
- Completion of prerequisite quantitative coursework for applicants without a finance or accounting background
- English proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) for non-native English speakers
- Video interview with an admissions counselor or officer (required by some programs)
Master’s in finance vs. MBA
Both a (MSF) and an are graduate-level programs that can help students advance into senior financial roles. However, each program has a distinct focus and purpose.
Use this table to compare and contrast these two degrees:
| Master's in finance | MBA in finance | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's it for? | Early-career professionals focused on technical finance roles that require specialized expertise for advancement | Mid-career professionals seeking broad business leadership and financial management skills |
| Curriculum | Deeply specialized, quantitative coursework focused on finance, investment analysis, financial modeling, and risk management | Broad business education covering finance, management, entrepreneurship, operations, and strategy |
| Skills | Quantitative research, financial modeling, risk assessment, investment management, regulatory compliance, and complex data analysis | Leadership, strategic decision-making, analytical thinking, project management, communication, teamwork, and business acumen |
Jobs you can get with an MBA in finance
Professionals with an MBA in finance often pursue roles such as budget analyst, financial analyst, and financial manager. Budget analysts are typically entry-level employees, while financial analysts are considered mid-level. Both positions can serve as stepping stones to senior leadership roles, including financial manager.
Learn more about each of these career paths, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Budget analyst
Budget analysts typically work for larger organizations. Alongside senior leaders, they help shape an organization's capital deployment plans. These professionals also monitor and track spending, create and present budget reports, and process departmental funding requests.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $87,930
Projected job growth (2024–34): +1%
Financial analyst
This intermediate finance role involves making more complex decisions about capital deployment. help pinpoint financial priorities and select investments. They also monitor wider economic and financial market conditions to identify emerging opportunities and risks.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $101,910
Projected job growth (2024–34): +6%
Financial manager
Professionals in this leadership role guide organizational financial decision-making. Typically working directly under senior or C-suite executives, financial managers lead long-term planning, forecasting, and financial modeling efforts and supervise finance team members.
Median annual salary (May 2024): $161,700
Projected job growth (2024–34): +15%
Not ready to start a full Master's program yet?
MicroMasters programs are a flexible alternative if you're not ready to commit to a full master's degree.
These graduate-level courses from prestigious universities — such as MIT, Purdue, and the University of Cambridge — help students build career-ready, specialized skills at a fraction of the cost of a master's degree. Upon completion, you can apply your credits toward a full graduate degree.