Financial planning professionals analyzing reports

MBA in Financial Planning and Analysis Online

Arkansas State University’s 100% online MBA with a Concentration in Financial Planning & Analysis is AACSB-accredited, spans 33 credit hours, can be completed in as few as 12 months and costs $524 per credit hour ($17,292 total tuition). Designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree who want to build expertise in budgeting, forecasting and integrated financial planning, it prepares graduates for advancement into roles such as FP&A manager, finance manager and director of finance.

Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27

Program Overview

What does A-State's online MBA – Financial Planning & Analysis offer?

Multiply your business skills and learn to support your organization's financial health through budgeting, forecasting, management and integrated financial planning with this 100% online A-State MBA – Financial Planning & Analysis program. As a graduate, you will be prepared to contribute to the decision-making processes of corporate CFOs, CEOs and boards of directors.

With the credentials you will gain in this AACSB-accredited master’s in finance online program, you will specialize in helping companies remain consistently profitable through comprehensive financial planning and cash flow management. The curriculum enables you to utilize both quantitative and qualitative analysis in order to evaluate your company’s progress toward achieving goals and to map out future objectives.

Financial planning and analysis electives give you the opportunity to explore international markets, data mining and U.S. business cycles. The program’s core business courses will help you build the leadership skills employers seek by focusing on ethical leadership, international business, project management, enterprising technology, decision-making methods and social responsibility.

In this 100% online MBA with a Concentration in Financial Planning & Analysis program, you will learn how to:

  • Apply financial tools to make effective investment and credit decisions and models that provide information for financial decision-making
  • Hone strategic and analytical skills to identify business problems and design/implement solutions for those challenges
  • Develop a broad understanding of a business to better facilitate communication and decision-making within any organization
  • Utilize tools and knowledge to facilitate change within an organization and adapt to dynamic business environments
In this 100% online MBA with a Concentration in Financial Planning & Analysis program, you will learn how to:+
  • Apply financial tools to make effective investment and credit decisions and models that provide information for financial decision-making
  • Hone strategic and analytical skills to identify business problems and design/implement solutions for those challenges
  • Develop a broad understanding of a business to better facilitate communication and decision-making within any organization
  • Utilize tools and knowledge to facilitate change within an organization and adapt to dynamic business environments

As a graduate of this MBA program, you will be prepared for advancement into roles such as:

  • Financial Analyst / Senior Financial Analyst
  • FP&A Analyst / FP&A Manager
  • Financial Manager / Finance Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Credit Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Corporate Finance Manager
  • Treasury Analyst
  • Director of Finance
  • Operations Manager/Director
  • CFO

For a closer look at corporate finance roles, read Corporate Finance Career Paths You Can Pursue With a Master's.

As a graduate of this MBA program, you will be prepared for advancement into roles such as:+
  • Financial Analyst / Senior Financial Analyst
  • FP&A Analyst / FP&A Manager
  • Financial Manager / Finance Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Credit Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Corporate Finance Manager
  • Treasury Analyst
  • Director of Finance
  • Operations Manager/Director
  • CFO

For a closer look at corporate finance roles, read Corporate Finance Career Paths You Can Pursue With a Master's.

+

Also available:

This MBA concentration is A-State’s finance-focused track. Every A-State MBA concentration shares the same credit-hour structure and tuition figure, so the choice comes down to coursework. If you’re weighing your options, explore the related programs below:

Total Tuition: $17,292
Program Duration: As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

How much does the online MBA in Financial Planning and Analysis cost?

Our online MBA – Financial Planning & Analysis program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $524
Total Tuition: $17,292

Calendar

When can you start the online MBA in Financial Planning and Analysis?

Ideal for working professionals, Arkansas State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/272/22/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/28/26
Start Class 1/11/27

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Apply Now

Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the online MBA in Financial Planning and Analysis?

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. To be admitted to the MBA online program, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Cumulative GPA 2.5
View all admission requirements +

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours (undergraduate, graduate or combination thereof) or graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree from a regionally accredited (U.S.) institution
  • If you have lower than a 2.5 cumulative GPA and less than a 2.75 in the last 60 hours, you may still apply for consideration for admittance by including a statement of purpose as part of the application. Please contact an Enrollment Services representative at 866-621-8096 for more information.

Note: If you are admitted and have less than a 2.75 cumulative GPA and less than a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours, you must make a grade of B or better in each course during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University as part of a conditional admission status. Additionally, you will only be allowed to enroll in one course (or 3 graduate hours) per 7-week session for the first two sessions.

Application submission requirements:

  • Complete online application
  • Submit a nonrefundable $30 fee.
  • Have official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

For non-U.S. postal mail overnight delivery only:

A-State Online
c/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401

A leader in the pack

A-State is recognized among "Top Public Schools, National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Courses

What courses are in the online MBA in Financial Planning and Analysis curriculum?

To graduate from the Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Financial Planning & Analysis online program, you must complete a total of 33 credit hours. Required coursework includes eight core courses (for a total of 24 credit hours), two financial planning and analysis required courses (for a total of 6 credit hours), and one elective (for a total of 3 credit hours).

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course is an introduction to the concepts of cost analysis and management control with a focus on the application of the concep­tual framework of financial and managerial accounting to practical situations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A complete survey of price theory as applied to busi­ness decision making and a summary of public policy toward business.  Prerequisites: ECON 2313, ECON 2323, or MBA 502V and MBA 503V.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Organization, policy, administration, in­stitutions, and instruments involved in financing the modern business corporation. Quantitative financial relations are measured and expressed. Financial plans are prepared for corporations in different industries and in different stages of the business cycle. Financial management appraised and business judgment developed through short problem and case methods.  Prerequisites: FIN 3713 or MBA 501V.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces MBA students to the basic tools in using data to make informed management decisions. This course presents a normative approach to making decisions in one’s personal and professional life. It covers optimization, linear programming, simulation, business modeling, data mining and business intelligence.

What is business analytics?

Business analytics transforms data into actionable insights through descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive methods. It includes statistical analysis, forecasting models, optimization techniques, and data visualization. This discipline supports data-driven management decisions by identifying patterns, forecasting outcomes, and recommending strategic actions.

This course will develop your quantitative skills for data-driven decision-making in business contexts. Learn to use optimization methods to find the best solutions for resource allocation problems, apply simulation techniques to model complex scenarios under uncertainty, and leverage data mining tools to extract insights from business data.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

Articulate the strategic role of analytics, differentiate between spreadsheets and relational databases and set up a professional analytics environment using Python, R and SQL

Design relational databases, write advanced SQL queries and explain data warehouse architecture

Apply statistical methods and data visualization techniques to summarize business data and communicate insights

Build and evaluate predictive models including regression, forecasting and classification

Formulate business problems using optimization and simulation to recommend strategic actions

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Covers the essentials of core business functions with an emphasis on integrating applied business statistics, economics, financial accounting and corporate finance. This course ensures that students have the required business acumen to succeed in the graduate business core.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the practice and principles of project management. Topics include identifying and selecting projects, developing project propos­als, sequencing workflows, estimating project duration, and budgeting.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An integrated capstone course focusing on the role of management in crafting and implementing strategy to achieve “fit” between an organization and its environment. An action-based approach involves student teams in developing and presenting stra­tegic plans for public, private, profit and not-for-profit organizations.  Prerequisites: All core courses or last semester of enrollment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the concepts and processes for gaining competitive advantage in the marketplace. Students will investigate and develop strategies relat­ing to the escalating importance of providing customer satisfaction, responses to diversity in the marketplace, development of new products, and recognition of the challenges from global compe­tition.

Student must take the following:

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide an analytical framework for the valuation of corporations and corporate financial statements and a basis for making credit and investment decisions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Contemporary topics in financial management will be considered. The primary emphasis will be on current developments in the business finance area.  Prerequisites: FIN 3713.

Students must complete one of the following 3-credit courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The flow of capital between international markets. It specifically deals with balance of payments, international monetary system, interna­tional banking, exchange rates, international money and capital. The international financial prob­lems related to economic development, Eurodollar and Petrodollar markets are also studied.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course includes study of the knowledge discovery process, and how decision support systems, DSS, can be utilized to incorporate data mining algorithms for decision-making.

What is data mining?

Data mining discovers patterns and insights in large datasets through the knowledge discovery process. It uses algorithms for classification, clustering, association rules, and predictive analytics. This technique extracts valuable knowledge from data to support business intelligence and decision support systems.

This course develops your ability to extract meaningful insights from large datasets through the knowledge discovery process. You'll learn to apply data mining algorithms—including classification, clustering, association rules, and predictive analytics—using specialized software tools. Through hands-on projects with real business datasets, you'll develop proficiency in building predictive models and translating technical findings into business recommendations.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

Understand key concepts and trends in data mining

Explore tools and software used for data mining solutions

Apply data mining techniques within decision support systems

Gain practical experience through hands-on exercises

Built for Your Schedule, Not Your Zip Code

Arkansas State University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Financial Planning & Analysis is built for working professionals anywhere in the U.S. who want a graduate finance credential without relocating to Jonesboro. Because the program is completed entirely online with six start dates a year, and every U.S. resident pays the same $17,292 total tuition ($524 per credit hour), your location does not limit your access. The program carries AACSB accreditation through the Neil Griffin College of Business and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Arkansas National Guard members may qualify for the state’s National Guard Tuition Waiver; see A-State’s military page. For state authorization details, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

FAQ

Financial Planning and Analysis MBA Online FAQs

Intro copy

No. A CPA license is not an admission requirement for Arkansas State University’s online MBA in Financial Planning and Analysis; applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. For how finance certifications compare with the degree, read FP&A Certification (FPAC) vs. an MBA: Which Do You Need?.
The concentration requires one 3-credit elective from two options. International Financial Markets (FINN 66733) covers the flow of capital between international markets, including balance of payments, exchange rates and international banking, so it fits students focused on cross-border finance. Data Mining (ISBA 6473) covers the knowledge discovery process and applying data mining algorithms to decision support, so it fits students who want more work with large datasets. Business Analytics (ISBA 6543) is already in the core for every student, so the elective is a choice of emphasis, not a gap to fill.
No specific undergraduate major is required to apply. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 2.5 cumulative GPA, or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours. The core includes Graduate Business Fundamentals (BADM 55003), which covers applied business statistics, economics, financial accounting and corporate finance. A few courses list prerequisites: Corporate Financial Management lists FIN 3713 or MBA 501V, and Seminar in Finance lists FIN 3713. A student engagement specialist can confirm how prerequisites may apply to your transcript.
Both are 33-credit-hour, $17,292 MBAs with the same eight-course core, which already includes Business Analytics (ISBA 6543). The difference is the three courses after the core. Financial planning and analysis adds Financial Statement Analysis (FINN 66053), Seminar in Finance (FINN 66743) and one elective. The MBA with a Concentration in Business Analytics adds Data Mining (ISBA 6473), Predictive Analytics with Simulation (ISBA 6523) and Advanced Data Mining (ISBA 6573). Data Mining appears in both: it is an elective for the FP&A concentration and a required concentration course for the Business Analytics concentration.
Every student takes Business Analytics (ISBA 6543), which covers setting up a professional analytics environment using Python, R and SQL, designing relational databases, writing advanced SQL queries, applying statistical methods and data visualization, building predictive models including regression, forecasting and classification and using optimization and simulation to recommend strategic actions. The Data Mining elective adds classification, clustering, association rules and predictive analytics using specialized software tools.

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