Top 10 Finance Courses for College Students

Akanksha

Updated On: September 11, 2025 12:51 PM

Check out the best finance courses online for college students in 2025. Build skills in accounting, investment basics, and financial planning.

Top 10 Finance Courses for College Students

Look, finance isn't just for business majors anymore. Every employer wants people who can understand budgets and make smart money decisions, no matter what field you're in. The cool thing is that finance courses online make it super easy to learn this stuff now. You can take Yale's Financial Markets course from a Nobel Prize winner, or jump into something practical like Michigan's Personal Finance program that actually teaches you how to budget. Whether you want an accounting course that breaks things down simply or need to learn investment basics without the confusing jargon, there are tons of options that fit around your regular classes.

Top 10 Finance Courses for College Students

Check these top 10 finance courses available across various platforms, along with the platforms they are offered on and their duration.

S. No.

Course / Program Name

Platform / Provider

Duration / Format

1

Financial Markets

Yale University via Coursera

Self-paced, approx. 7-10 weeks

2

Introduction to Personal Finance

University of Michigan via edX

Self-paced, 6 weeks (5–6 hrs/week)

3

Finance for Non-Finance Professionals

University of California, Irvine via Coursera

6 hours

4

Behavioral Finance

Duke University via Coursera

5 hours

5

Fintech: Foundations & Applications

University of Pennsylvania via Coursera

Varies (6 weeks)

6

Introduction to Time Value of Money

University of Michigan via Coursera

Varies (self-paced)

7

Careers in Finance

Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Self-paced intro course

8

The Complete Financial Analyst Course

Udemy

Varies — often 10+ hours

9

Applying Data Analytics in Finance

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Varies (free access)

10

Personal Finance Essentials

McGill University (self-hosted or partner)

Self-paced (modules)

These were some of the top finance courses along with their duration and platforms. Now that we have some idea, why not learn more about them, like what skills they offer and the outcomes after completing the course, so that choosing the one that suits your career goals becomes easy.

1. Yale's Financial Markets Course on Coursera

Feature

Details

What it covers

Market structures, bonds, stocks, behavioral finance, and investment basics.

What you will get

Free access to lectures by Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, plus certificate (paid option).

Duration

Self-paced, approx. 7–10 weeks.

Outcome

Build a solid foundation in financial markets that can help in CFA or higher studies.

2. Personal Finance Basics from University of Michigan (edX)

Feature

Details

What it covers

Budgeting, loans, savings, credit, and financial planning.

What you will get

Beginner-friendly finance course online with practical tips.

Duration

Self-paced, 6 weeks (5–6 hours per week).

Outcome

Learn how to manage money effectively and make smart personal finance decisions.

3. Finance for Non-Finance Majors - UC Irvine via Coursera

Feature

Details

What it covers

Introduction to corporate finance, accounting statements, and time value of money.

What you will get

Easy-to-follow accounting course for beginners.

Duration

Around 6 hours (self-paced).

Outcome

Understand finance basics even without prior knowledge of accounting.

4. Duke University's Behavioral Finance Program

Feature

Details

What it covers

How psychology affects investments, risk perception, and decision-making.

What you will get

Short finance course online with real-world examples.

Duration

5 hours.

Outcome

Learn how emotions impact financial choices and avoid common investing mistakes.

5. University of Pennsylvania's Fintech Course (Coursera)

Feature

Details

What it covers

Digital payments, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and AI in finance.

What you will get

A modern finance course online that introduces tech-driven finance careers.

Duration

6 weeks (self-paced).

Outcome

Gain skills relevant to fintech jobs and emerging finance technologies.

6. Time Value of Money - Michigan's Coursera Program

Feature

Details

What it covers

Present value, future value, annuities, and compound interest—key investment basics.

What you will get

Step-by-step learning with practice quizzes.

Duration

Self-paced modules.

Outcome

Understand the foundation of investing and decision-making in finance.

7. CFI's Careers in Finance Introduction Course

Feature

Details

What it covers

Overview of finance roles, analyst jobs, and CFA career path.

What you will get

Free beginner finance course online with career guidance.

Duration

Self-paced.

Outcome

Helps students choose between careers in corporate finance, banking, or investment.

8. Complete Financial Analyst Training (Udemy)

Feature

Details

What it covers

Excel for finance, financial modeling, accounting, and valuation.

What you will get

Practical accounting course with hands-on assignments.

Duration

10+ hours.

Outcome

Gain real-world analyst skills that prepare you for internships or jobs.

9. Data Analytics in Finance from University of Illinois

Feature

Details

What it covers

Data analysis, risk modeling, time series, and forecasting.

What you will get

Interactive finance course online with analytical focus.

Duration

Self-paced.

Outcome

Learn to apply data-driven methods in finance careers and higher studies.

10. McGill's Personal Finance Essentials Program

Feature

Details

What it covers

Budgeting, investing, credit management, and crypto awareness.

What you will get

A free modular finance course online with certification.

Duration

Self-paced modules.

Outcome

Build lifelong money management and investment basics.

So that's your lineup of the best finance courses out there. My advice? Pick the one or two that sound most interesting and just start. Whether it's mastering investment basics or getting comfortable with an accounting course, these finance courses online are going to make you way more confident when talking to employers. Trust me, it's worth the time investment.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

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