Table of Contents
- Overview of MS in Finance in US
- Syllabus of MS in Finance in US
- Specializations in MS in Finance in US
- Which are top universities in the US for MS in Finance?
- What are eligibility requirements for MS in Finance in US?
- Documents required to study MS in Finance in US programs?
- How to apply for MS in Finance in the US?
- How much is the total cost of studying MS in Finance in the US?
- What is the scope of studying MS in Finance?
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a passionate student interested in to do MS in finance, the US can be your choice of study for multiple reasons. The country is home to the world’s top universities for MS in Finance and offers top-paying jobs in finance.
Studying in the US for an MS in Finance opens up lucrative job opportunities and higher salary packages to you. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities in business and finance will grow at a 7% speed from 2021 – 2031 and managerial finance jobs alone have a 17% growth potential.
Overview of MS in Finance in the US
A Master of Finance degree helps fresh graduates and financial professionals further their financial knowledge and technical skills in a short period of time. In the US, an MS in Finance is typically around 18 months, but the duration can be 10 – 24 months in different universities.
Financial professionals can consider enrolling in part-time or online MS in Finance programs in the US. It will help them study without compromising their job timings.
Syllabus of MS in Finance in the US
The syllabus of MS degrees in Finance includes economics, statistics, ethics, and data, among other topics. See below for a general overview of the syllabus of MS in Finance in the US:
- Foundations of finance
- Macroeconomics
- Risk management
- Investment analysis
- Financial modeling
- Financial reporting
- Quantitative methods
- Financial regulations
Specializations in MS in Finance in the US
There will be electives you can choose according to your personal interests. After completing your coursework, you can choose an aspect of finance as a specialization that aligns with your career goals.
In US academia, some of the popular specializations for MS in Finance include the following:
- Corporate finance
- Market finance
- International Finance
- Venture capital
- Hedge funds
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Financial management
- Financial econometrics
- Financial engineering
- Financial planning
- Business law and ethics
Which are the top universities in the US for MS in Finance?
A top university in the US for MS in Finance is ranked on the basis of its reputation, research activities, industry engagement, innovative teaching, graduate outcomes, trade program content, program delivery, etc.
Accordingly, the following are the best universities for international students in the US for an MS in Finance:
| University in the US | Course offered | QS World University Ranking for Finance – 2023 |
| MIT Sloan School of Management, MIT | Master of Finance | 04 |
| UCLA Anderson School of Management, University of California Los Angeles | Master of Financial Engineering | 05 |
| Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley | Master of Financial Engineering | 07 |
| Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California | MSc Finance | 29 |
| McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin | MS in Finance | 30 |
| Hough Graduate School of Business, University of Florida | Master of Science in Finance | 31 |
| Questrom School of Business, Boston University | Master of Science in Mathematical Finance | 33 |
| McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University | Master of Science in Finance | 40 |
| Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland | MSc Banking and Finance | 44 |
| Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business | MSc in Quantitative and Computational Finance | 46 |
What are the eligibility requirements for an MS in Finance in the US?
Understanding and fulfilling the eligibility requirements to study in the US for MS in Finance is the first step of your preparation. You must visit the website of the university of your application to know the specific eligibility requirements.
The basic eligibility criteria include the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree in
- Excellent academic record. Generally, a GPA of 2 – 3 is the basic requirement
- GRE (minimum 250+) or GMAT (minimum 600+) scores as asked by the institution
- English proficiency proof – IELTS Academic (minimum 6.0 – 7.0 bands), TOEFL (minimum 90+), Duolingo (minimum 100 – 120), etc.
Documents required to study MS in Finance in the US
Proper documentation is an integral part of your study in the US. You need to submit academic, financial, and visa-related documents properly and on time at different stages of your application. Here is a general checklist of documents for your help:
- Duly filled admission application form
- Academic transcripts (WES evaluated if required)
- Statement of Purpose (SoP)
- Letters of Recommendation – two or three
- A CV or resume
- Paid receipt of non-refundable admission application fee
- Entrance test results – GRE, GMAT, IELTS, etc.
- A US student visa
How to apply for MS in Finance in the US?
Here is the step-by-step application process for international students to study MS in Finance in the US:
- Explore the course and college options and decide your options for application
- Find out the important admission deadlines applicable to you
- Start gathering your documents
- Apply to your preferred universities and colleges online
- Receive your offer letter and revert back
- Arrange your financial aid and get ready with the financial documents
- Receive Form I-20 and other documents
- Apply for a US student visa. Attend the consular interview
- After successfully completing the interview, book your tickets for the US!
For admission guidance in the US, take help from our dedicated counselors who will guide you throughout the process. You will get customized university and course suggestions after analyzing your profile. Plus, we will help you explore financial options for your profile, such as different types of education loans to study in the US.
How much is the total cost of studying MS in Finance in the US?
The cost of study for an MS in Finance in the US includes the tuition fee and living costs for international students. The study costs vary with universities, location, courses, student lifestyle, etc.
The table below presents the estimated tuition fees and cost of living at top US universities for MS in Finance:
| University | Tuition fee for MS in Finance | Cost of living |
| MIT Sloan School of Management, MIT | 87,600 USD | 25,000 USD |
| UCLA Anderson School of Management, University of California Los Angeles | 74,618 USD | 47,000 USD |
| Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley | 82,000 USD | 42,000 USD |
| McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin | 53,000 USD | 23,000 USD |
| Hough Graduate School of Business, University of Florida | 40,500 USD | 27,000 USD |
| Questrom School of Business, Boston University | 64,000 USD | 30,000 USD |
| McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University | 56,840 USD | 30,000 USD |
| Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland | 68,000 USD | 25,000 USD |
| Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business | 42,300 USD | 25,000 USD |
When we compare the data from different universities in the US, the average tuition fee for MS in Finance ranges from 40,000 USD to 87,000 USD and the cost of living can be between 23,000 – 47,000 for international students.
What is the scope of studying MS in Finance?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, managerial finance jobs have a strong career outlook, with a projected 17% growth rate between 2021 and 2031.
Having an MS in Finance opens up job opportunities across different industries, such as government, manufacturing, tech, finance insurance, etc.
Top jobs after studying MS in Finance in the US
MS in finance has job opportunities in various industries involving financial management. Listed below are some of the top jobs after MS in Finance in the US with average salary:
| Job title | Median salary |
| Financial advisor | 94,170 USD |
| Financial analyst | 95,570 USD |
| Business controller | 91,069 USD |
| Investment manager | 133,589 USD |
| Financial manager | 131,710 USD |
| Chief financial officer | 178,074 USD |
From the data above, we can see that the average salary for an MS graduate of Finance in the US is roughly between 90,000 – 200,000 USD per year.
Conclusion
If you are passionate about learning finance, an MS in Finance is your ticket to a dream career. A Master’s degree in finance helps you get top-paying jobs across different industries in the US. Go through the syllabus, cost of study, top colleges, eligibility criteria, application procedure, and job opportunities to have a comprehensive idea before planning your application to study MS in Finance in the US.
- Explore and find out which specializations are suitable for your study interests and career goals
- List down top universities in the US for MS in Finance offering specializations you want to study
- Mark your deadlines and start the application process. You must be well-versed with the application process.
Take help from us – get in touch with our dedicated counselors who will guide you throughout the process at zero cost to you! Learn about top universities matching your profile, student loan options in the USA, US student visas, and so on.
Check the link and kickstart your study abroad journey with us!
Frequently asked questions
Is studying in the US for an MS in Finance rewarding?
Yes. Having an MS degree in finance will boost career opportunities for passionate undergraduates and working professionals in the finance industry.
MBA or MS in Finance, which is better for international students?
MBA and MS are postgraduate degrees in finance, and you may choose any of them depending on your personal choice. While an MS in Finance equips you with deeper finance knowledge and research skills, an MBA will help you understand the working culture and responsibilities as a finance professional. It is better to go through the course curriculum and syllabus before deciding your postgraduate degree in finance.
What is the difference between an MBA and an MS in finance?
While an MBA is a postgraduate degree with finance as a specialization, MS in Finance is a dedicated course for finance and digs deeper in the subject. You may choose either MBA or MS in Finance, depending on your future goals, study interest, and personal reasons. Generally, the job roles are almost similar for both courses, but an MS degree is more suitable for academic and research activities.
Is GMAT accepted for MS in Finance in the US?
The requirement for GMAT scores depends on the university to which you apply for admission. While some universities in the US require GMAT scores, some other universities only require GRE scores and English proficiency certificates. You need to confirm the entrance requirement by referring to your university’s website.
Do US universities offer one-year MS degrees in finance?
Generally, an MS in the US is a 2 years long program with a well-structured syllabus, electives, internships, etc. However, some US universities offer one-year-long MS programs in finance, which will save time for international students. The one-year MS in Finance programs are particularly beneficial for working professional who takes long leave to study.
Is MS in Finance a STEM course in the US?
Yes, MS in Finance is a STEM course in the US with a prosperous job market across different industries.
Who can apply for an MS in Finance in the US?
Anybody with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and a passion for finance studies can apply for an MS in Finance, provided that the student must fulfill other academic, financial, and student visa-related requirements specified for the US.
