Looking to break into teaching or research in the wide world of finance? Well, we are here to help! Our list of the top affordable online Ph.D.’s in finance offers a careful analysis of the best programs out there.
Getting a Ph.D. is no joke, as it can usually take several years – in fact, the average is around seven – and getting an online Ph.D. can be just as demanding.
Of course, online courses a certainly more convenient for working people, but still, the rigors of a Ph.D. program are on purpose. They are supposed to shape you into someone who thinks critically and takes research data seriously; a very challenging process, indeed!
FINDING AN AFFORDABLE ONLINE PHD IN FINANCE
Most folks in business will tell you that you really don’t need an advanced degree to succeed. But that’s not always the case, especially when an advanced degree will open up new doors whereby you can grow and develop. The Ph.D. in Finance is undoubtedly one of those degrees. Folks who earn a Ph.D. in finance can certainly go into teaching or research, but there are so many other things you can do as well. Careers include Financial Manager, Budget Analyst, Chief Financial Officer, a Compensation and Benefits Manager, and a Securities, Commodities and Financial Service Sales Agent.
Almost all of the professions associated with the degree are going to grow at or above the rate of other occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, as you might expect, anyone who gets a job associated with a doctorate in finance can expect to be handsomely rewarded. Every job associated with the degree is above the median wage, sometimes up to four times as large. So, if you are considering a Ph.D. in Finance, and you want to pursue one online, then check out our list of the top Affordable Online Ph.D.’s in Finance!
RANKING THE TOP 2 AFFORDABLE ONLINE PHD’S IN FINANCE
While you’re on your way to earning your Ph.D. or Doctorate within your field, the editors at Online PhD Programs are already practicing doctors of their craft: ranking the best online Ph.D. programs. To be featured on our annual rankings online doctorates must satisfy four coinciding requirements: accreditation, research and scholarship doctorate certification, NSF recognition, and institutional association with peer-reviewed academia.
Each degree is then ranked using the information provided – primarily – through the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. The data collected is scored through a series of weighted categories to represent seven crucial aspects of what makes an online doctorate valuable to future students. Online program quality and presence are joined by industry salaries, student reviews, degree exclusivity, costs, and completion rates to determine the best online doctorates available. For a comprehensive breakdown of how we categorize and source data, please visit our methodology page.
#1. TRIDENT UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL
A for-profit university based in Cypress, CA, Trident University International is an online institution of higher learning. They offer a Ph.D. in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting and Finance. The program is designed for students who already have a strong background in the basics of finance, economics, or accounting. TUI’s program is designed for students who are interested in gaining further skill researching in areas like economic growth and development, taxation policy, international finance, and financial management. Students who graduate from the program will be prepared to teach at a collegiate level.
Students take a core of ten courses which deal with research, theory, and concentration, and then move into the dissertation phase. Students are required to take a written and a comprehensive exam before moving into the dissertation. TUI also offers assistance to graduates through their Career Services Center. CSC can assist with the job search, self-assessment, career transitions, and essential services like interview prep and resume writing. Though TUI does not have specific fellowships for doctoral students, they do offer assistance when applying for funding from outside sources.
Format: Online
Net Price: $9,000
#2. KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS, and a large public research university with an annual student body of over 22,000 students. KSU offers various degrees both in a traditional format and online, including a PhD. in Personal Financial Planning. The program is designed to prepare students who may be interested in teaching at the collegiate level or to help further them in their work as financial planners. The degree requires 90 credits, which include the dissertation and writing phase. Online students are required to participate in three ten-day summer residency experiences which are held on the main campus of KSU.
Students take core, professional, elective, and research courses which can include classes like Readings in Family Studies and Human Services, Financial Therapy Theory and Research, and Applied Behavioral Finance. Students are also required to participate in an international capstone experience, giving students exposure to financial issues in a comparative and global framework. Applicants must hold a master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and are required to submit GRE or GMAT scores from within the last five years. The program also puts a premium on personal development so that students are only doing academic work but are growing as well-rounded individuals.