Introduction
Working adults searching for online finance, human resources, or accounting degrees need separate program lists. An HR applicant is not choosing between HR and accounting, and a bachelor’s applicant should not compare prices with master’s programs. This page organizes named accredited online programs into six distinct comparison pools by field and degree level.
The program tables use estimated total tuition and required general fees from GetEducated’s affordability rankings. For full degrees, the calculation uses the minimum credits required, assumes the student starts with zero transfer credits, and applies the ranking’s full-time enrollment standard. Textbooks, course-specific expenses, financial aid, and individual transfer-credit outcomes are not included. The GetEducated ranking methodology explains the calculation in detail.
The published prices are historical ranking figures, not October 2026 enrollment quotes. The bachelor’s ranking pages identify Winter 2021 as the collection period and label below-average programs as 2022 Best Buys. Use the tables to identify candidates, then request a current written estimate from each school. The full finance, human resources, and accounting directories provide additional accredited options.
Key takeaways
- Compare programs within the same field and degree level. Finance bachelor’s programs belong in a different cost pool from finance master’s programs, and HR prices should not be used to judge accounting affordability.
- Low-cost bachelor’s examples start below $20,000. Historical estimates begin at $13,284 for the listed finance and HR bachelor’s pools and $18,480 for accounting.
- Low-cost master’s examples start near $9,000 to $10,000. The listed entry points are $8,956.50 for HR, $10,106 for accounting, and $10,165 for finance.
- Residency can change the result. Some public institutions publish one price for all online students, while others show materially different in-state and out-of-state totals.
- AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE are additional programmatic signals. The rankings record these labels where applicable, but every listed program must first pass GetEducated’s institutional accreditation gate.
- SHRM alignment is not accreditation. It is a curriculum claim recorded for specific HR programs and does not award SHRM certification to graduates.
Separate cost ranges for finance, human resources, and accounting
The ranges below define the correct comparison pools. They show why a single list of affordable business degrees would be too broad to answer field-specific program searches.
| Comparison pool | Historical estimated total-cost range | Published in-state average | Least-expensive program in the ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance bachelor’s | $13,284 to $141,768 | About $55,400 | Florida State College at Jacksonville, $13,284 in-state |
| Finance master’s | $10,165 to $77,664 | About $30,700 | University of the Cumberlands, $10,165 |
| Human resources bachelor’s | $13,284 to $103,000 | About $54,400 | Florida State College at Jacksonville, $13,284 in-state |
| Human resources master’s | $8,956.50 to $99,253 | About $28,300 | Fort Hays State University, $8,956.50 |
| Accounting bachelor’s | $18,480 to $141,768 | About $53,300 | University of the Virgin Islands, $18,480 in-state |
| Accounting master’s | $10,106 to $70,916 | About $26,300 | University of Montana, $10,106 in-state |
| Ranking details: finance bachelor’s; finance master’s; HR bachelor’s; HR master’s; accounting bachelor’s; accounting master’s. | |||
Affordable accredited online finance degree programs
Good online finance candidates combine institutional accreditation, a finance-focused degree title, online availability, and a total cost that fits the applicant’s budget. The programs below are named affordability-ranking entries, not a generic list of schools that happen to offer business degrees.
| Institution and program | Degree level | Historical estimated total tuition and fees | Programmatic accreditation recorded in ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville, BS in Financial Services | Bachelor’s | $13,284 in-state; $26,738.40 out-of-state | ACBSP |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro, BS in Finance | Bachelor’s | $21,413.32 in-state; $39,101.32 out-of-state | AACSB |
| University of the Cumberlands, BSBA in Finance | Bachelor’s | $24,680 for all students | IACBE |
| Florida International University, BBA in Finance | Bachelor’s | $28,286.72 in-state; $42,333.92 out-of-state | AACSB |
| University of the Cumberlands, MS in Finance | Master’s | $10,165 for all students | IACBE |
| East Texas A&M University, MS in Finance | Master’s | $14,744 in-state; $26,984 out-of-state | AACSB |
| University of Illinois Springfield, MS in Finance | Master’s | $15,415.50 for all students | AACSB |
| University of Wyoming, MS in Finance | Master’s | $16,500 for all students | AACSB |
The strongest affordability comparison is not simply $10,165 versus $13,284. Those figures represent different degree levels. Bachelor’s applicants should first compare the four undergraduate programs with one another; applicants who already hold a bachelor’s should compare the graduate programs as a separate decision.
Affordable accredited online human resources degree programs
Online HR programs appear as dedicated human resource management degrees and as business or management degrees with an HR concentration. The exact degree title matters because a short concentration may provide less HR depth than a specialized program, even when both appear in the same affordability ranking.
| Institution and program | Degree level | Historical estimated total tuition and fees | Programmatic accreditation recorded in ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville, BSBA in Human Resources | Bachelor’s | $13,284 in-state; $26,738.40 out-of-state | ACBSP |
| Utah Valley University, BA or BS in Human Resource Management | Bachelor’s | $24,040 in-state; $68,368 out-of-state | AACSB |
| Fort Hays State University, BBA in Management with Human Resources concentration | Bachelor’s | $27,225.60 for all students | No additional programmatic label shown |
| Florida International University, BBA in Human Resource Management | Bachelor’s | $28,286.72 in-state; $42,333.92 out-of-state | AACSB |
| Fort Hays State University, MPS in Human Resource Management | Master’s | $8,956.50 for all students | No additional programmatic label shown |
| Union Commonwealth University, MS in Human Resource Management | Master’s | $10,250 for all students | No additional programmatic label shown |
| Amberton University, MS in Human Resource Management | Master’s | $10,525 for all students | No additional programmatic label shown |
| Tarleton State University, MS in Human Resources Management | Master’s | $11,287.80 in-state; $23,527.80 out-of-state | AACSB |
Residency changes this pool sharply. Utah Valley University’s historical bachelor’s estimate rises from $24,040 in-state to $68,368 out-of-state, while Fort Hays State University publishes one total for all students. An applicant outside the school’s home state can therefore reach a different affordability order from the ranking’s in-state sequence.
Affordable online accounting degree programs from accredited schools
Accounting requires its own comparison pool because the curriculum centers on financial reporting, auditing, taxation, managerial accounting, and related professional preparation. A finance degree should not be treated as an interchangeable accounting credential simply because both fields involve financial information.
| Institution and program | Degree level | Historical estimated total tuition and fees | Programmatic accreditation recorded in ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Virgin Islands, BA in Accounting | Bachelor’s | $18,480 in-state; $55,560 out-of-state | ACBSP |
| Stillman College, BSBA in Accounting | Bachelor’s | $18,575.20 for all students | IACBE |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro, BS in Accounting | Bachelor’s | $21,413.32 in-state; $39,101.32 out-of-state | AACSB |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle, BA in Accounting | Bachelor’s | $22,400 for all students | No additional programmatic label shown |
| University of Montana, Master of Accountancy | Master’s | $10,106 in-state; $19,406 out-of-state | AACSB |
| Union Commonwealth University, MS in Managerial Accounting | Master’s | $10,250 for all students | No additional programmatic label shown |
| Emporia State University, Master of Accountancy | Master’s | $10,890 for all students | AACSB |
| University of West Florida, Master of Accountancy | Master’s | $11,538 in-state; $31,327.20 out-of-state | AACSB |
Stillman College is the lowest historical all-student bachelor’s example in this selection, while Emporia State University is the lowest all-student master’s example carrying an AACSB label. Applicants interested in public accounting should also compare the curriculum with the education rules published by the board of accountancy in the state where they plan to seek CPA licensure.
How to read accreditation and SHRM labels
The labels attached to these programs answer different questions. Institutional accreditation controls whether a school enters the ranking pool; programmatic accreditation and curriculum alignment provide additional information about a particular business or HR program.
| Label | What it means in this comparison | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional accreditation | The college or university has passed review by an institutional accreditor accepted under GetEducated’s ranking rules. | Treat it as the baseline eligibility gate for every program shown. |
| AACSB | AACSB International programmatic accreditation is recorded for the business school or program in the ranking. | Use it as an additional business-school signal when it matters to an employer, graduate program, or personal preference. |
| ACBSP | Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accreditation is recorded for the program. | Do not confuse it with the institution’s separate accreditation status. |
| IACBE | International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education accreditation is recorded for the program. | Compare it as a programmatic label, not as a replacement for the institutional gate. |
| SHRM alignment | The HR curriculum is represented as aligned with Society for Human Resource Management guidelines. GetEducated records this claim for specific programs, including the University of Scranton MS in Human Resources Management. | Treat alignment as a curriculum claim rather than accreditation or automatic certification. The SHRM Academic Alignment Program and certification process are separate. |
| SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, aPHR, PHR, and SPHR | These are individual professional credentials rather than college accreditations. | Review current exam and experience rules separately through HRCI or SHRM before selecting a degree for certification preparation. |
When GetEducated is the stronger research starting point
Broad college directories answer different questions. GetEducated is most practical when debt exposure is the immediate constraint and the buyer wants similar accredited programs normalized around estimated full-degree tuition and fees.
| Research source | Primary comparison lens | When to choose it | Constraint to manage |
|---|---|---|---|
| GetEducated | Estimated total tuition and required general fees, with accreditation and online-delivery eligibility gates | Choose it to build an affordability-first shortlist for a finance, HR, or accounting degree. | Check the ranking’s collection period and obtain a current personalized estimate before enrolling. |
| OnlineU | Separate ranking models using student reviews, graduate volume, enrollment, and salary outcomes | Choose it when earnings, popularity, or student sentiment need to sit beside price. | Annual tuition and outcome data may still need to be translated into the applicant’s expected full-program cost. |
| BestColleges | Multi-factor editorial rankings using education data and defined ranking criteria | Choose it for a broad introduction to notable programs, formats, and general selection factors. | A multi-factor rank does not necessarily identify the lowest total-cost program. |
How to choose within the correct program pool
Finance applicants
Compare bachelor’s programs if you need an undergraduate finance credential. Compare MS in Finance programs separately if you already hold a bachelor’s and want specialized graduate study. An MBA with a finance concentration belongs in another pool because it preserves more general management coursework.
Human resources applicants
Check whether HR is the degree’s primary subject or a concentration inside management or business administration. A concentration can be sufficient for broad business preparation, while a dedicated HR degree normally gives more room to employment law, compensation, staffing, development, labor relations, and HR analytics.
Accounting applicants
Compare bachelor’s accounting programs for undergraduate preparation and master’s programs for advanced accounting study after a prior degree. Applicants deciding whether accounting or finance better matches their goal can use the online accounting, finance, and business administration comparison before selecting a cost pool.
What breaks first in a low-cost program comparison
- Different fields are mixed into one list. The least-expensive HR program does not answer a search for an accounting degree.
- Bachelor’s and master’s prices are compared directly. A lower graduate-program total does not make it a substitute for an undergraduate credential.
- Historical ranking figures are treated as current quotes. The tables identify promising programs and historical cost differences; each school determines the current amount.
- Residency is ignored. The same program can show substantially different in-state and out-of-state estimates.
- Annual tuition is treated as the degree price. Required credits, enrollment terms, and general fees determine the full-program estimate.
- Programmatic accreditation is confused with institutional accreditation. AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE are additional program labels, not substitutes for the school-level accreditation gate.
- SHRM alignment is treated as accreditation or certification. It is a curriculum claim and does not automatically confer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP status.
- Every transfer credit is assumed to reduce the major. Accepted credits lower cost only when they apply to requirements that remain in the finance, HR, or accounting degree plan.
Use the online degree tuition comparison guide to reproduce the calculation and the hidden online degree fees guide to identify charges outside the ranking estimate.
A practical shortlist workflow
- Select one field and degree level. Start with finance, human resources, or accounting, then choose the bachelor’s or master’s pool.
- Identify three to five named candidates. Use the relevant table to compare historical total cost, residency treatment, and recorded programmatic accreditation.
- Open the complete ranking. Review additional programs beyond the selected examples and note the ranking’s collection period.
- Confirm current program availability. Verify that the exact online degree title remains open to new applicants.
- Request a written transfer evaluation. Ask how prior credits apply to general education, the business core, the major, and electives.
- Obtain a current total estimate. Include remaining tuition, mandatory fees, materials, and the residency rate that applies to your location.
- Review curriculum and delivery. Check required courses, scheduled sessions, projects, internships, and in-person components.
- Compare net cost last. Apply grants, employer benefits, scholarships, and other aid after collecting the same cost categories for every finalist.
The GetEducated program-selection workflow provides a broader process for moving from ranking results to an enrollment decision.
GetEducated is the best fit when
- You want named accredited online finance, human resources, or accounting programs organized by estimated full-degree cost.
- You need separate bachelor’s and master’s comparison pools instead of a broad list of business schools.
- You want residency prices and recorded AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE labels visible beside the degree title.
GetEducated is not a fit as your only source when
- You need a binding price based on current tuition, your transfer credits, residency, employer benefits, and financial-aid package.
- Your decision depends on exact course schedules, faculty availability, internship placement, career services, or accommodations that only the school can confirm.
- You need a determination that an accounting program satisfies the CPA education rules in the state where you plan to seek licensure.
Frequently asked questions
What are good online finance degree programs?
Affordable accredited candidates include Florida State College at Jacksonville’s BS in Financial Services, UNC Greensboro’s BS in Finance, the University of the Cumberlands’ BSBA in Finance, and Florida International University’s BBA in Finance. Graduate candidates include the University of the Cumberlands, East Texas A&M University, the University of Illinois Springfield, and the University of Wyoming. Historical estimates range from $13,284 for the lowest listed bachelor’s option to $16,500 for the four selected master’s programs. Compare the complete GetEducated finance bachelor’s ranking for more options.
Where can I find online human resources degree programs?
Named affordability candidates include Florida State College at Jacksonville, Utah Valley University, Fort Hays State University, and Florida International University at the bachelor’s level. Lower-cost master’s examples include Fort Hays State University, Union Commonwealth University, Amberton University, and Tarleton State University. Their historical estimates begin at $13,284 for a bachelor’s and $8,956.50 for a master’s. The GetEducated HR master’s ranking lists additional programs by estimated total cost.
Which online accounting degree programs come from accredited schools?
GetEducated’s institutional accreditation gate applies to every program in its accounting rankings. Selected bachelor’s programs include the University of the Virgin Islands, Stillman College, UNC Greensboro, and the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Selected master’s programs include the University of Montana, Union Commonwealth University, Emporia State University, and the University of West Florida. Historical bachelor’s estimates in this selection start at $18,480, while master’s estimates start at $10,106. The accounting bachelor’s ranking provides the larger comparison set.
Does the published total cost represent what I will pay?
No. The published amount is a standardized estimated sticker price used to compare programs, not a personalized bill. GetEducated calculates full-degree estimates from minimum required credits, full-time enrollment, tuition rules, and required general fees. Transfer credits, textbooks, course-specific expenses, financial aid, and current tuition changes can alter the final amount. Review the GetEducated cost methodology, then request a written current estimate from each finalist.
Are AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE required for a program to appear?
No. Institutional accreditation is the baseline ranking gate, while AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE are additional programmatic labels recorded when applicable. A program without one of those labels can still appear in the affordability rankings. Buyers should treat the labels as extra information rather than assume that an unlabeled program lacks institutional accreditation.
Is a SHRM-aligned HR degree the same as an accredited degree?
No. SHRM alignment concerns how an HR curriculum relates to SHRM guidelines, while institutional and programmatic accreditation evaluate different aspects of the school or business program. GetEducated records alignment for specific programs, such as the University of Scranton’s MS in Human Resources Management, but alignment does not award SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. Certification has a separate application and examination process governed by SHRM eligibility criteria.
References
- GetEducated Online Degree Ranking Methodology
- GetEducated Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance
- GetEducated Cheapest Online Master’s in Finance Programs
- GetEducated Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Human Resources
- GetEducated Cheapest Online Human Resources Master’s Programs
- GetEducated Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
- GetEducated Cheapest Online Accounting Master’s Programs
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation directories
- SHRM Academic Alignment Program