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The finance industry is a competitive field, especially at major firms. Entry-level jobs are popular for their high earning potential and career growth. However, these aren’t easy to obtain either due to the strong candidate pool.

Additionally, entry-level jobs require technical and analytical skills. Even fresh graduates must demonstrate competence in investment banking, financial modeling, and other relevant areas of expertise.


But once you’re in, you’ll appreciate the perks of finance jobs. Business and financial occupations earn $80,920/year, on average (BLS, May 2024). Financial analysts earn $101,910/year, and financial examiners take in $90,400/year, on average.

Furthermore, the finance industry is an evolving field. Being updated on the latest technologies and tools is a competitive edge. Otherwise, it’s easy to become redundant.

To move up the ladder, certifications are key to success. Earning certifications can:

  • Prepare students for internships and careers
  • Boost your resume for job hiring and promotion purposes
  • Develop your technical skills for specialized jobs

Do you want to enjoy these benefits? You must consider earning online financial certifications for students. These offer flexible schedules and convenient access to learning materials. If you’re balancing coursework, jobs, and activities, these are excellent options.

Here, we present the eight best online financial certifications for students. We’ll also discuss how to select the right certifications and optimize their benefits.

Related:

Why Pursue Financial Certifications as an Undergraduate?

Earning online financial certifications for students demands significant time and money investments. But you’ll enjoy these benefits that make the investments worthwhile.

  • Build practical, job-ready skills beyond what’s taught in class. You’ll complement your academic knowledge with skills.
  • Stand out in internship and job applications. Certifications demonstrate technical skills, initiative, and professional commitment.
  • Gain confidence and fluency in financial terminology and tools. You’ll fit right in instead of experiencing impostor syndrome.
  • Enjoy flexible classes. You can learn at your own pace from home.
  • Earn certifications without high costs. Many certifications have affordable fees or offer student pricing.

Top 8 Online Financial Certifications for Undergraduate Students

Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®)

The FMVA is among the best financial certifications for undergraduates because it’s:

  • Widely accepted and recognized in the finance industry
  • Compatible with a college student’s busy schedule (i.e., flexible pace)

Provider: Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Skills Covered:

  • Financial modeling
  • Excel
  • Valuation methods

Estimated Time and Cost:  3-6 months with 120+ hours of coursework. About $500 for its self-paced program.

Best For/Career Relevance:

  • Idea for aspiring investment bankers, analysts, and consultants.
  • Builds job-ready skills

Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)

The BMC is among the best online finance certifications because it’s:

  • A beginner-friendly program with a self-paced learning format
  • Used by top finance firms

This is an introduction to the Bloomberg Terminal, Bloomberg L.P.’s signature system.

Provider: Bloomberg

Skills Covered:

  • Financial markets
  • Macroeconomics
  • Bloomberg Terminal use

Estimated Time and Cost: About 8–10 hours total. $149 for students

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Ideal for students and early-career professionals
  • Serves as a foundation for advanced studies

Introduction to Corporate Finance – Wharton (Coursera)

This is among the most popular entry-level finance certifications for students. Choose it if you’re looking for core finance understanding. The program is free to audit, with a low-cost certificate option available for purchase.

Provider: UPenn’s Wharton School via Coursera

Skills Covered:

  • Time value of money
  • Capital budgeting
  • Risk

Estimated Time and Cost: About 4 weeks with 3–5 hours/week of commitment. $79 for the certificate option.

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Ideal for students and early-career professionals seeking a solid foundation in corporate finance
  • Boost your resume with a reputable certification from a prestigious business school

Certified Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA®)

The CBCA is ideal for students exploring banking or corporate lending careers. Plus, it’s among the best finance certifications for college students because of its:

  • Online format with flexible scheduling
  • Inclusion of case studies

Provider: Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Skills Covered:

  • Credit analysis
  • Commercial banking
  • Loan structuring

Estimated Time and Cost: 150-200 hours (58 courses). $497/year (self-study) and $847/year (full-immersion)

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Aspiring and current finance professionals are welcome.
  • Boost your skills in financial modeling and advanced underwriting.

Financial Planning for Young Adults

The program offers free and flexible online financial courses for beginners. There’s a certificate option, too, for a fee. It is an ideal program for individuals seeking to acquire knowledge in personal finance.

Provider: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign via Coursera

Skills Covered:

  • Investing basics
  • Budgeting
  • Insurance
  • Taxes

Estimated Time and Cost: About 19 hours. $49 for a certificate

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Leads to the development of practical financial planning skills
  • Boosts your resume for your self-learning discipline

edX Finance MicroBachelors Programs

Considered also among the best online investment certifications for students, edX Finance MicroBachelors are:

  • Programs that provide stackable credentials with transferable credits
  • Available online with asynchronous courses

Provider:  Institutions like NYIF, WGU, and SNHU

Skills Covered:

  • Investment and capital markets fundamentals
  • Financial accounting and analysis
  • Budgeting and forecasting

Estimated Time and Cost: 3–6 months/program (self-paced). Between $500 and $1,500 depending on the college and program

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Suitable for students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance
  • Stepping stone for advanced certifications (e.g., CPA or CFA)

Excel Skills for Business – Essentials

This is among the popular introductory financial planning certifications online known for its:

  • Focus on mastering Excel for financial analysis
  • Student-friendly pace
  • Emphasis on gaining support skills for all finance roles

Provider: Coursera/Macquarie University

Skills Covered:

  • Excel interface navigation
  • Basic formulas and functions

Estimated Time and Cost: About 26 hours. Free to audit with a $49 certificate option

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Ideal for students seeking foundational Excel skills for business applications

Introduction to Financial Accounting

This is also a great choice for beginner finance certifications available online as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Learners will find it useful for understanding corporate finance and analysis. As a concise and accessible online course, it also appeals to college students.

Provider: Wharton School via Coursera

Skills Covered:  

  • Balance sheets
  • Income statements
  • Accrual accounting

Estimated Time and Cost: About 13 hours. Free to audit, but there’s a $49 certificate option

Best For / Career Relevance:

  • Prepares non-accounting students for finance-related roles

How to Choose the Right Certification

Each of the featured virtual finance certifications has its merits. But you can’t pursue all of them at once, either. You must make the right choice based on your interests, goals, and budget.

Here’s what you can do to do so.

  • Identify your career goals and the specific sector you want to be in. Personal finance, investment banking, and fintech are examples of these fields.
  • Determine the certification program’s time commitment and your current schedule. Intensive boot camps typically last a few weeks and are rigorous. Short courses have longer completion times and, thus, allow for a more relaxed study pace.
  • Decide on your budget. Many introductory certifications are available for free or at a low cost. More advanced and premium programs have fees that can run into the hundreds of dollars. Ask about financial aid.
  • Choose from credible platforms only. Start with professional organizations (e.g., CFI) and finance corporations (e.g., Bloomberg). Then, consider MOOC platforms like Coursera and edX.
  • Decide on the specific skills that you want to learn. Modeling, markets, Excel, accounting, and strategic planning are examples of these areas. 

How to Make the Most of Online Certifications

Keep in mind that online financial certifications for students are just tools. If you don’t use them well, these are mere ink on paper or a digital badge.

Here are tips to maximize your online certifications and get the best value.

  • Schedule study time every week to make progress. Track your progress, too.
  • Combine certifications with practical projects or case studies. Doing so will highlight your ability to translate knowledge into skills.
  • Add to LinkedIn resumes and job applications. Highlight your certifications in a way that catches the eye.
  • Discuss in interviews as a sign of initiative. Bring up the topic, too, if possible.
  • Network with others in the course community or on LinkedIn. Connections are helpful whether you’re a newbie or a veteran.

Financial Aid and Student Discounts

Start with free or low-cost online financial certifications for students. Build your stack of certifications from these affordable options.

Then, ask about financial aid options and free access. Coursera offers financial aid, while edX has verified course scholarships. CFI offers student discounts.

Check with your university libraries, too. You may find free access to Bloomberg Terminal and other resources. LinkedIn Learning and Morningstar are popular.

Tip: Use your .edu email address when signing up for programs and platforms. You may be able to access free trials, discounts, and other student perks.

Conclusion

Flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and career readiness. These are the primary advantages of online financial certifications for students. You’d be remiss if you didn’t take advantage of them as soon as possible.

Start with one certification that aligns with your interests, goals, and budget. Then, build your stack of certifications as you gain more advanced skills.

Earning certifications while you’re still in college shows initiative and self-driven learning. Both traits are key to success in the ever-changing finance industry.

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