Being able to study finance at top schools in the US can be a major dream and at the same time a challenge. A proper master of finance program offers a great blend of theory and practice that will enable you to obtain a grasp on financial analysis in a local and international context. The completion of the degree will be a marvelous bounty of opportunities and open doors.
In this article, we have gathered 6 schools in the US that are perfect for your professional prospects in finance. We will provide you with a basic overview of each school and additional details that can be taken into account prior to making a decision.
1. Columbia University
Columbia University’s finance program is a great fit for students who want to combine it with math. It is co-sponsored by the Department of Statistics, and it draws on key aspects of mathematics, statistics, stochastic processes, numerical methods, and financial applications. Those students who have quantitative skills such as mathematics, statistics, physics, economics, computer science, or engineering will be more inclined to join. The institution tries for a blend of hard theoretical courses and cutting-edge applied courses. The latter are frequently taught by financial sector executives. Students can take classes from other departments in addition to the financial, mathematics, and statistics courses offered by the program.
Masters in Finance – Quick Facts
Duration:
- Part-time: 2-3 years
- Full-time: Typically two to three semesters
Tuition: $51,564
The application requirements:
- Knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, elementary differential equations, probability and statistics, and a programming language
- Statement of Academic Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Work Experience
- Test Scores (TOEFL/IELTS for international students, GRE/GMAT encouraged but not required)
Application deadline:
- Early Decision September 28, 2022
- Merit Fellowship January 11, 2023
- Regular Decision April 5, 2023
Core courses:
- Introduction to the Mathematics of Finance
- Statistical Inference / Time-Series Modeling
- Stochastic Processes – Applications
- Stochastic Methods in Finance
- Numerical Methods in Finance
- Practitioners’ Seminar
2. MIT Sloan
MIT is a highly ranked school with an advanced understanding of how markets work, as well as offering a demanding curriculum based on the latest cutting-edge financial and quantitative theories and methods. The school provides a flexible experience of the fundamentals as well as the ability to delve deeper. The students can also get the option of additional concentrations from financial engineering, capital markets, corporate finance, or impact finance to focus their degree. MIT focuses on collaborative and diverse learning and is considered a very smart investment.
Masters in Finance – Quick Facts
Duration: 1 year
Tuition: $86,300
The application requirements:
- Resume
- Short-Answer Questions
- Video Question 1
- Video Question 2
- Letters of Recommendation
- Academic Transcripts
- Relevant Coursework & Professional Certifications
- Test Scores (TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT)
Application deadline: The application for fall 2023 admission is closed.
Core courses:
- Foundations of Modern Finance
- Corporate Financial Accounting
- Financial Markets
- Corporate Finance
- Analytics of Finance or Advanced Analytics of Finance
- Proseminar in capital markets/investment management
- Proseminar in corporate finance/investment banking
- Finance Lab
- Finance ethics and regulation.
3. Princeton University: Master of Finance
The Bendheim Center at Princeton provides a Master of Finance degree. This degree emphasizes financial economics and engineering, as well as computational methods. The Master of Finance is a four-semester curriculum. A selected group of students with good prior knowledge of the topic, mathematical aptitude, and job experience is given the option to enroll in a two-semester program.
Masters in Finance – Quick Facts
Tuition: $60,410
The application requirements:
- Academic transcripts
- Three letters of recommendations
- A personal statement
- GRE or GMAT test scores
- TOEFL or IELTS
Application deadline: The application for fall 2023 admission is closed.
Core courses:
- Asset Pricing I: Pricing Models and Derivatives
- Statistical Analysis of Financial Data
- Corporate Finance and Financial Accounting
- Asset Pricing II, Stochastic Calculus and Advanced Derivatives
- Financial Econometrics
4. UCLA Anderson School of Management: Master of Financial Engineering (MFE)
This program is designed for the novice industry of mathematics and computation. It is a #3-ranked MFE program that provides quantitative skills to solve the complex and creative challenges of today’s financial markets. UCLA Anderson provides an (MFE) program that focuses on developing mathematical modeling and quantitative abilities necessary for a career in finance. Graduates of this curriculum are prepared for professions in insurance, money management and investment, and derivative pricing, among other fields. According to their website, the employment Rate Class of 2020 (6 Months Post Graduation) was 100% with a salary of $129K after Graduation.
Masters in Finance – Quick Facts
Duration: 1 year
Tuition: $78,470
The application requirements:
- Academic Records
- GMAT/GRE
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- A resume
- Work History / Resume
- TOEFL / IELTS (International Applicants)
- CFA, FRM, and other Professional Designations
- Interview (by invitation only)
- $200 application fee (non-refundable)
Application deadlines:
- Round 1: December 31, 2022
- Round 2: March 1, 2023
- Round 3: April 30, 2023
Core courses:
- Investments
- Financial Accounting
- Econometrics
- Stochastic Calculus
- Financial Decision Making
- Fixed Income Markets
- Derivative Markets
- Empirical Methods in Finance
- Computational Methods in Finance
- Financial Risk Management
- Applied Finance Project
5. Washington University: Olin
The MS in Finance (MSF) program at Washington University is a rigorous and comprehensive graduate program that focuses on securities research, asset management, derivative pricing, and fixed income. Students can choose whichever master of science in finance program fits best for them. The four options available to choose from are the following:
- Corporate Finance and Investments
- Wealth and Asset Management
- Quantitative Finance
- Global Finance
Masters in Finance – Quick Facts
Duration: 18 months
Tuition: $96,500
The application requirements:
- One page résumé
- Two required and one optional essay
- Standardized test scores (unofficial)
- Academic transcripts (unofficial)
- Application interview video
- $100 application fee
- One professional recommendation
- Transcripts
- English Language
Application deadlines:
- Round 1 September 21, 2022 October 27, 2022
- Round 2 November 9, 2022 December 15, 2022
- Round 3 January 11, 2023 March 2, 2023
- Round 4* March 22, 2023 May 4, 2023
Core courses:
- Investment Theory,
- Financial Markets,
- Economics of the Organization,
- Financial Statement Analysis,
- Mergers & Acquisitions
6. Brandeis University International Business School
The school’s founding program is the Lemberg Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance. It is open to students from all over the world who have completed microeconomics, macroeconomics, or statistics coursework. The school is famous for its distinctive blend of financial theory and practice, its array of market-focused concentrations, and its faculty of premier academics and finance practitioners. Also, it is ranked in the top ten in the world.
Masters in Finance – Quick Facts
Concentrations:
- Corporate finance and valuation
- Asset management
- Risk management
- Fintech
Duration: 1-Year, 2-Year, Dual-Degree, and Part-Time Programs
Tuition: $59,337 (annual)
The application requirements:
- Transcripts & Prerequisites
- Written Essay & Video Essay
- Résumé and Experience
- GMAT or GRE Score
- Recommendations
- TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or PTE Academic Score
Application deadlines:
- November 1
- January 15
- March 1
- April 15
Core courses:
- Managerial Economics
- Applied Econometrics
- Investments
- Accounting and Financial Analysis OR Fin Intermediate Accounting
- Launching Your Global Career
- Applied International Macroeconomics
- International Trade Policy OR a concentration-specific elective
- Corporate Finance
- Concentration or General Elective credits
- Software Proficiency beyond R
- Capstone
Final Thoughts
In this article, we set out to cover the basics needed for finding a Master’s in Finance Program in the US. The 6 schools on this list are perfect for achieving your dream in the US and becoming a multinational professional with diverse areas of expertise.
Exposure to the contemporary world of finance will undoubtedly become handy when choosing a career or industry. In this way, it will become easier to find your desired school with all your preferences. There are abundant opportunities to choose from and you have all the information you need to make a decision and stride towards a better future in the US.
Contributor: Ruzanna Mirzoyan