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If you’re an early-career grad looking to land a job in the industry, a Master in Finance offers a strong foundational knowledge in key financial concepts and theories, along with experience and connections with some of the country’s top firms.
So how do you choose where to study your Master in Finance?
To help you find the right program, we compiled a list of six top Masters in Finance in the USA, which are ranked by the Financial Times and QS in their respective 2023 Master in Finance rankings.
Top Masters in Finance USA
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
QS Rank: 1 in USA (4 Globally)
MIT is known around the world for its excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) teaching and the school's Master in Finance program is no exception.
With 123 students enrolled in the class of 2022, the class size is large for this list. Students have an average of 16 months’ experience across the cohort.
The STEM-designated program offers optional concentrations for students who want to specialize their learning further, with four topics available: financial engineering, impact finance, capital markets, or corporate finance.
The school also offers Action Learning modules, where students can apply their coursework in a practical environment. The school’s Finance Lab, for example, sees MiF students work alongside corporate partners to complete various data analysis tasks.
2. University of California Los Angeles, Anderson
QS Rank: 2 in USA (5 Globally)
With a 100% student employment record six months after graduation, the Master in Financial Engineering at UCLA Anderson is a strong choice for those looking to the US for their finance education.
The school's location in the international hub of Los Angeles gives students access to financial and commercial opportunities post-graduation. The location also means MiFE graduates gain high salaries with an average post-graduation salary of $129,000.
For those students who are looking to move away from the West Coast after graduation, UCLA Anderson has connections all along the East Coast of the US including career-focused staff in Manhattan.
3. University California Berkeley Haas
QS Rank: 3 in USA (=7 Globally)
Another California-based Master of Financial Engineering on the list with an impressive employment record, 99% of Haas MFE students in 2022 received job offers. They earned a mean base salary of $150,190.
Graduates of the UC Berkeley program typically end up in investment banking and asset management, working with large companies such as BlackRock, Barclays, Goldamn Sachs, and JP Morgan Chase
UC Berkeley's Master of Financial Engineering offers flexibility, the regular full-time program lasts one-year, however there is a part-time option for those who want to work while they complete their degree.
4. University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
QS Rank: 4 in USA (29 Globally) | FT Rank: 1 in USA (31 Globally)
Located in sunny California, the Master of Science in Finance at USC Marshall kicks off with a week-long math boot camp to get you into the mindset of a financial analyst.
While some of the programs on this list offer an optional summer internship, USC builds it into the MSF program alongside career support tailored to careers in finance. This support helped 97% of the class of 2021 receive job offers.
The average Master in Finance salary for USC grads in 2021 was $80,879, according to the class employment report.
For international students, there is more good news: the whole program is STEM designated, meaning that students on an F-1 visa can apply for a 24-month extension of their optional practical training (OPT) after graduation. This means you can stay and work in the US for up to three years without an H-1B visa.
5. University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
QS Rank: 5 in USA (30 Globally) | FT Rank: 2 in USA (38 Globally)
UT Austin's Master of Science in Finance program is ranked among the best in the US by both QS and the FT.
The program sits at number 30 overall on the QS list, while the FT ranks it 38th globally. Among graduates of the class of 2022, average salaries amounted to just over $81,000, while 100% of job-seeking students landed roles.
At just 10 months, the McCombs MiF is one of the shortest programs on this list. It offers five specializations in Energy Finance, Corporate Finance, Consulting, Asset Management, and Investment Banking. The program is also STEM-certified.
UT Austin students can take part in a business practicum over the last half of the fall semester and the first half of the spring semester, working directly with sponsoring companies within their area of interest.
The career outcomes speak for themselves; past recruiters include household names such as Deloitte, JP Morgan, and Wells Fargo.
6. University of Rochester, Simon Business School
FT Rank: 3 in USA (42 Globally)
Located in up-state New York, right on Lake Ontario, the University of Rochester is one of the lesser known schools on this list. Despite this, the Simon Business School's MS in Finance ranks third in the US, according to the FT.
The STEM-designated program helped 91% of job-seeking grads from the class of 2021 land jobs within six months. They landed roles with the likes of KPMG, UBS, PwC, Morgan Stanley, and EY. Their average base salary was $71,300.
The current STEM-designated MS in Finance class, has almost an equal ratio of males to females, 53% to 47%, and class made up of students from 14 different countries.
If a career in finance is your goal, a US Master in Finance at one of these schools is a great bet.
Particularly if you are an international student, the STEM certifications offered by all these schools present an attractive route into the finance sector in the US, as well as a chance to tap into supportive student and alumni networks.
Next Read:
Is A Master In Finance Worth It?
All images in this article are sourced from business school Facebook Pages.
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