OnlineMasters.com, a digital source for college rankings and higher education planning, has placed Middle Tennessee State University in its recently released ranking of the Best Online Master’s in Finance Programs in the United States for 2019.

The top-ranked programs were selected based on curriculum, program flexibility, affordability and graduate outcomes. MTSU’s online master’s program within the Jennings A. Jones College of Business was ranked No. 34 and was the only Tennessee university on the list. The top program was Georgetown University.

Dr. David Urban

The website’s report cited MTSU’s program as “Best for Financial Analysts.” In applauding the recognition, Jones College of Business Dean David Urban noted that the Department of Economic and Finance program started just three years ago.

“This is the seventh national ranking that Jones College or one of its programs has earned in recent years,” Urban noted. “Our faculty and staff continue developing program tracks that put our students on a path toward a high quality degree in some of the most in-demand business careers.”

OnlineMasters.com analyzed graduate schools across the country with only 50 making it to the final 2019 list, according to a news release. In addition to interviews and surveys from current students and alumni, they also leveraged insight gained from human resource professionals.

The methodology incorporates the most recent data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, also known as IPEDS, and from the National Center for Education Statistics. Most importantly, only programs from accredited nonprofit institutions were eligible, the release noted.

“Our research shows there is a growing demand for finance graduates to support our robust economy,” Barbara Montgomery, program recognition manager, said in the release.

“The latest study from the Graduate Management Admission Council shows that a majority of Fortune Global 100, 500, and publicly traded companies have plans to hire graduates by the end of 2018, with demands strongest among companies in the finance/accounting, manufacturing, and energy/utilities industries.”

The report noted that MTSU “has an online master’s in finance program for students who want a career in financial analysis. The coursework includes subjects such as market analysis and derivative valuation, helping students learn what they need to become successful financial analysts after graduation.”

View the complete ranking at www.onlinemasters.com/best-degree-programs/finance.

For more information about MTSU’s Master of Science in Finance program, go to www.mtsu.edu/programs/finance-ms.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)