- #79 National Universities - U.S. News & World Report, 2022Starting Tuition$31,300Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment14,311RegionNortheastKogod School of Business
- Finance (MSF)
Kogod School of Business- Accounting (MSA)
Less - Finance (MSF)
- Best National College - U.S. News & World Report, 2022Average Tuition$13,752Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment2,000RegionMidwest
- #79 National Universities - U.S. News and World Report, 2022Starting Tuition$21,475Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment7,500+RegionWest
- 4th Most Ethnically Diverse College in the Midwest - U.S. News & World Report, 2015Average Tuition$19,494Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment4,680RegionMidwestWalter E. Heller College of Business
- Accounting, MSA
Less - Accounting, MSA
- Best Public Universities - U.S. News & World Report, 2022Average Tuition$20,122Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment21,917RegionNortheastJess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics
- Applied & Industrial Math
- – App Statistics & Math Finance
College of Business and Economics- Accounting & Business Advisory Services
Less - Applied & Industrial Math
- Top 50 Colleges That Create Futures - The Princeton Review, 2017Starting Tuition$25,516Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment11,241RegionMidwestSchool of Business Administration
- Master of Finance (MFin)
Less - Master of Finance (MFin)
- Top 25 Public Universities in the US - Times Higher Education, 2020Starting Tuition$36,000Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment33,390RegionMidwestUIC College of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
UIC College of Business Administration- Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)
Less - Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
- Tier 1 National Universities - U.S. News & World Report, 2020Starting Tuition$37,000Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment15,989RegionNortheastCollege of Management
- Business Administration, MBA
- – Finance
- Finance, MS
College of Management- Accounting, MS
- Business Administration, MBA
- – Accounting
Less - Business Administration, MBA
- #148 National Universities - U.S. News & World Report, 2022Starting Tuition$26,006Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment22,456RegionSouth
- #136 National Universities - U.S. News & World Report, 2022Starting Tuition$29,760Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment6,263RegionWestEberhardt School of Business
- Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Eberhardt School of Business- Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Less - Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Find Your Perfect Program



Our school match questionnaire - and free advisor services - can help you find your ideal US university.
- Compare Schools
- Talk to experts
- Apply with ease
- Free advising services
Master’s Degree in Finance FAQs
Where can I study master of finance degree programs in the US?
While finance is mostly a quantitative-focused field, understanding theories related to financial management is also a core part of building a career in finance.
Combining your knowledge of fiscal policies and tools with math skills helps you understand and evaluate investment options, create financial plans, and predict the movements of the stock market. These highly valuable skills can make you an important asset, whether you open your own business for individual clients or take a financial role within a company. The best graduate finance programs in the US help you learn quantitative skills needed for practical applications alongside conceptual knowledge to critically analyze data.
Here are some top-ranking MS in finance in USA universities where you can pursue your degree:
American University—The American University master’s in finance program features a Student Managed Fund Program, where students gain hands-on experience managing assets worth $500,000. Learn about financial intermediation in emerging markets, investment analysis, and more, plus access AU’s cutting-edge Financial Services and IT lab.
University of Dayton—The master of finance program offered through the University of Dayton helps you learn about financial analysis and wealth management, as well as how finance impacts international business. University of Dayton finance students have been hired at top US companies such as Bloomberg, IBM, and JP Morgan Chase.
University of Illinois Chicago—UIC offers accelerated program options for your master’s in finance and offers four specializations: corporate finance; asset management; banking and capital markets; and commodities, derivatives, and financial exchanges.
University of Massachusetts Boston—With the master’s in finance program offered at UMass Boston, choose between two tracks: general finance or investment management. Learn technical knowledge and get a deeper understanding of finance while also developing critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
University of the Pacific—Pacific’s master of science in finance offers an accelerated nine-month course with options for both online and on-campus learning. Work with industry professionals and gain hands-on experience with financial management by managing Pacific’s $3.2 million student-run investment fund.
Which undergraduate majors can earn a master’s in finance?
As finance graduate programs have a strong focus on quantitative methods and mathematical skills, many programs require you to have an undergraduate major in finance, statistics, accounting, mathematics, or other related fields.
These requirements may change depending on different programs, and some may not require an undergraduate in a quantitative major. Instead, if you have a bachelor’s degree in a non-quantitative field, you may be asked to complete several prerequisite courses such as calculus, statistics, economics, or financial accounting.
The exact MS in finance in USA requirements may vary depending on the university you hope to attend. Here are some common master’s in finance requirements USA:
Test scores—Many MS finance courses in USA require you to achieve a minimum score in your Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Depending on the university, they may also request your academic transcripts.
English proficiency—To prove your proficiency with the English language, you need to achieve a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score (as determined by the university).
Letters of recommendation—Depending on the university, you may have to submit two to three letters of recommendation as part of the application process for your master’s in finance USA. If you have work experience, the letter can come from a manager, senior employee, or supervisor. For students without work experience, letters can come from professors, school administrators, or other educators.
Personal statement—Some MS finance courses in USA may also ask you for a personal statement, which is usually an essay or personal statement outlining your background, accomplishments, and future career goals.
A Shorelight advisor can help you discover the best graduate finance programs in the US and explore your career prospects with US finance majors.
How many years does it take to earn a master of finance degree in the US?
Typically, it takes one to two years to complete a master’s in finance USA. This duration can change depending on different universities, as some universities offer accelerator programs that let you complete your degree in one year or less. Some programs are also available online over a shorter duration, and can allow you to start your degree from your home country before you complete it in the US.
The duration of your finance graduate program can also change because of your academic performance, the types of coursework you have selected, the number of semesters you are enrolled, and if the program has a thesis component. Additionally, studying your MS in finance in USA universities part time can extend the duration of your degree by up to five years, depending on your course schedule. Your degree may also take longer if you are pursuing another master’s from a different field as part of a dual degree. Participating in an internship during your degree may also extend the duration depending on the type of work you do.
Additionally, if you need to complete certain courses as part of your master’s in finance requirements USA, your masters may take slightly longer to complete. You can avoid these prerequisite courses if you have a bachelor’s degree in finance, which usually takes four years to complete. While not always a requirement, a bachelor’s in finance equips you with the fundamentals you need to understand the topics you will be studying in a graduate program.
What can I do with a master of finance degree?
A master’s in finance USA boosts your career development by helping you learn advanced management concepts and skills used in modern-day financial markets. While a bachelor of finance would teach you the basics, a graduate program in finance helps you understand analytical techniques and teaches you about cutting-edge financial technology (also known as fintech).
As careers in finance heavily prioritize experience, many finance graduate programs help you find internships at US companies where you learn real-world skills. Some master’s in finance USA programs may also allow you to work with investment funds and simulate stock trading, giving you valuable insight into the real-world practices of financial markets.
When you graduate, you will also become eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT lets you engage in training or work in the US (including internships) for a maximum of 12 months after completing your master’s. Since many master’s in finance degrees are STEM-designated, you would also be eligible to request an additional two years of OPT. This allows you to work in the US for a total of three years.
Pursue a variety of lucrative careers by graduating with a master’s in finance USA:
Accountant
Actuary
Auditor
Budget analyst
Credit analyst
Financial examiner
Financial planner
Insurance agent
Investment banker
Market research analyst
Personal financial advisor
Real estate agent
Senior financial analyst
Venture capitalist
Wealth manager
Is a master of finance degree better than an MBA?
The benefits of a master’s in finance compared to an MBA largely depends on your personal career goals, level of experience, and current market trends.
While it is difficult to say that one degree program is objectively better than another, here are several advantages of a master of finance degree:
Expert specializations—A master’s in finance helps you specialize in your area of interest in the field of financial management. As you grow and gain more experience, you can become an expert in this field, which makes you more employable by finance-related organizations, compared to an MBA holder.
Less-saturated job market—As MBAs are one of the most popular professional qualifications, MBA holders are fairly common among prospective job candidates. By earning a master’s in finance, you may stand out more to prospective employers. With different concentrations available for finance, including management specializations, you can transfer your skills and knowledge to a variety of different industries and roles.
Faster completion—Many finance graduate programs do not require you to have work experience, while many MBA programs require at least two years of experience. This lets you get started on your master’s in finance as soon as you finish your bachelor’s, helping you qualify for higher position jobs earlier compared to MBA holders.
If you are looking for assistance to start your master’s, Shorelight is here to help. Our advisors provide a variety of dedicated support services such as international student advisory services, F-1 visa support, college application help, career advice, and more!
- Students
FIU Business School Helps Brazilian Student Build His Future
Brazil native Alexandre graduated FIU ready to take on the finance world.
- Students
Adelphi MBA Student’s Advice Helps Classmates Feel Empowered
Malathi, an international Adelphi MBA student, finds meaning through the university's Career Accelerator program.
- Students
UDayton Global Makes Indonesian MBA Student Feel at Home
A Q&A with Huda, an Indonesian UDayton MBA student, on his busy first year and his most important assignment: new father.