Online finance degrees are gaining popularity as more students go back to school to earn their degree and take advantage of the recovering market. While employment opportunities in the financial sector diminished during the recession, job opportunities for finance graduates, like the economy, have now begun to rebound.Earning an online finance degree can prepare you for a variety of careers. Often, students who earn these degrees, ranging from the associate to master’s level, find employment as financial analysts, financial managers, investment managers, accountants or auditors, financial consultants, investment or commercial bankers, and even real estate managers or developers. Jobs in finance have traditionally offered students solid job opportunities and this trend is expected to continue. Job prospects for students who earn an online finance degree are expected to grow faster than average from 2008 to 2018.In fact, in US News and World Report’s annual list of the top fifty careers for 2011, accountants, financial analysts and financial advisers are listed as three of the most lucrative careers for the coming year. With employment growth rates projected at 20-30% for all three of these financial occupations, it’s safe to say that a finance degree is a solid investment.Online colleges and universities which offer online finance degrees are a popular option for students who want to earn a degree while maintaining their current job or responsibilities. As the job market continues its recovery, though slowly, investing in a degree that will provide numerous employment opportunities and high earning potential, like finance, will prove to be a smart move for students.