The Best Master's in Finance Programs in the U.S. for 2027

The William R. Hough MS in Finance at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business is a 32-credit combination degree offered as an accelerated pathway for current Warrington undergraduates. Students take courses in years 3 and 4, in on-campus 8-week modules, and can complete 16 graduate credits before finishing the bachelor's degree, which saves time compared with earning two degrees back to back. Applicants submit a pre-application form after their first year at UF and a full application in their second year. The program prepares students for asset management, securities markets and corporate finance. The school reports 98% full-time analyst placement by graduation for more than 20 years and 100% of rising seniors placed in junior summer internships.

The University of Florida graduates 91% of its students and admits 24% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 95.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits Warrington undergraduates who already know they want a finance career in portfolio design, investment recommendations or growth strategy, and who want the master's credential without a separate extra year.

Georgetown University's online Master of Science in Finance is created by McDonough School of Business faculty and delivered on a blended platform that combines asynchronous materials with weekly live MSFLive classes. Students can attend live sessions in person or online in the Blended Classroom. The traditional track takes 21 months and can be full-time or part-time, while the accelerated track is a full-time option completed in 10 months. Both tracks share a single cohort and the same curriculum. All students complete an in-person residency course and the capstone Global Consulting Project, in which student teams advise an international firm or organization and travel to present to the client. The school lists skills such as valuing stocks, bonds and derivatives, constructing efficient portfolios, managing corporate risk and, for students who take the advanced option, big data analysis in Python.

Georgetown has a 95% graduation rate and admits 13% of applicants. The program's Program Score of 95.2 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals and recent undergraduates who want a deeper dive into finance than a typical MBA, and who need either the flexibility of part-time study or the speed of a ten-month full-time track.

Washington University in St. Louis offers a specialized master's in finance through Olin Business School, with concentrations in corporate finance, quantitative finance and wealth and asset management. The page says these tracks are STEM-designated. It is a full-time program with day courses and limited scheduling flexibility, particularly in the core, so the school points working professionals to its Flex MBA or online specialized master's instead. Students have access to Bloomberg Labs, one-on-one career coaching and an optional experiential learning course through the Center for Experiential Learning or the Wells Fargo Advisors Center for Finance and Accounting Research. Olin's career services team offers coaching sessions, career fairs, workshops and alumni networking events. The page also notes that students can choose among the three STEM-designated programs and that the curriculum is highly structured.

WashU reports a 94% graduation rate and a 12% admit rate. The Program Score is 95.0 out of 100, the basis of this program's ranking. The degree fits students who can commit to full-time study and want a focused finance specialty, whether corporate, quantitative or wealth management, with structured career support through the program.

Stony Brook University's Master of Science in Finance is a small, selective program in the College of Business aimed at finance professionals and at students from other disciplines who want deeper finance skills. The page lists it as a 30-credit, ten-course degree with STEM designation, taught by the college's finance faculty. A capstone requires students to complete a finance industry project with partner enterprises. The page names banking, hedge funds, corporate finance and regulation as target careers, and a graduate quoted there credits the program for work in capital markets, company valuation, behavioral finance and risk management, plus Excel, Python and R. Delivery is majority hybrid with some online courses, full or part time, and full-time students are designed to finish in nine months. The program must be started in the fall, and applicants must document coursework in statistics or calculus.

The program earns a Program Score of 95 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. Stony Brook graduates 76% of its students and admits 49% of applicants. It suits quantitatively prepared applicants who want a fast, hybrid finance master's with a hands-on project.

Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business offers a part-time Master of Science in Finance in Boston with a fall start. The curriculum has 18 required credits covering financial decision-making, market and institutional analysis, investment strategies and global financial management, plus 12 elective credits. Faculty design the coursework to align with the content of the CFA exams. The page highlights Bloomberg certification, participation in the 360 Huntington Fund, and class projects built around the student's own employer. The flexible evening schedule is meant for working professionals, who can finish in as little as two years or stretch their studies up to seven. Topics include corporate finance, investment banking, securities analytics and risk management.

Northeastern reports a 91% graduation rate and admits about 5% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 94.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits finance professionals in the Boston area who want deeper theory and practice, including those aiming at roles such as mutual fund analyst or investment banker, without leaving their jobs. Classes meet in Boston, and the page describes the schedule as tailored to local professionals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a master's in finance, investment and banking through the Wisconsin School of Business. It is a 4+1 program: the first year is the senior undergraduate year and the second is a fifth graduate year, and it is open to UW-Madison undergraduates. The page emphasizes experiential learning. Student teams manage a real portfolio of equities and fixed income assets, make presentations to a panel of professionals and hear from guest lecturers. The program is tied to the Stephen L. Hawk Center for Investment Analysis, which provides industry-specific career advising, and the school participates in the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. The school reports a 100% placement rate within six months of graduation for 2022, and about 700 program alumni.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a Program Score of 93.3 out of 100, which is the basis of this ranking. The university graduates 90% of its students and admits 45% of applicants. Because entry runs through the undergraduate years, the program fits current UW-Madison students aiming for company valuation, securities analysis or portfolio management roles who want to finish a graduate degree in one extra year.

Boston College's Master of Science in Finance is run by the Seidner Department of Finance in the Carroll School of Management and requires 10 courses. Full-time students finish in 12 months and part-time students in about 20. The Regular Finance track has seven core courses and three electives with a fall start. The Quantitative Finance track is STEM-designated, has eight core courses and two electives, and adds a spring entry point; the school says applications for Spring 2027 open in late August 2026. Core courses include Investments, Corporate Finance, Management of Financial Institutions and Financial Econometrics, and everyone completes a self-paced online Managerial Statistics course before arriving. Students must also complete 10 hours of community service to graduate.

Boston College graduates 91% of its students and admits 16% of applicants. The program's Program Score is 92.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The program fits students aiming at corporate finance, asset management or investment banking who want a quantitative curriculum, and the part-time option suits those who need to keep working while they study.

William & Mary's Online Master of Science in Finance is a 32-credit program of eight courses, each 7.5 weeks long, delivered 100% online. The school says students can finish in as few as 16 months and graduate with the master's degree plus a specialized certificate in either Corporate Finance or Investment Management. There is an optional Residency Weekend that earns one additional credit, no GMAT or GRE is required, and the program starts three times a year, in August, January and May. The page positions the degree for future CFOs and investment managers, with emphasis on quantitative modeling, risk assessment and value creation, and presents it as a faster and more focused option than a general MBA.

William & Mary has an 89% graduation rate and a 34% admit rate. The Program Score used for this ranking is 92.1 out of 100. The program fits working professionals who want finance depth without leaving a job, especially those aiming at corporate finance, treasury or investment roles. Because the certificate is built into the timeline, it is a fit for people who want two credentials in one pass. Anyone who wants a broader management curriculum should compare it with an MBA.

The Master's Program in Finance at Claremont McKenna College is offered through the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance. The school describes it as a one-year program providing a postgraduate education in financial economics that builds on the elements of a liberal arts education. Its stated aim is to support high-achieving students from the Claremont Colleges and several partner liberal arts institutions with academic work and a program of personal and professional development. A BA/MA Combined Degree Program in Finance lets undergraduates earn a Bachelor of Arts in select majors and a Master of Arts in Finance on an accelerated schedule. The school also lists leadership development activities, off-campus programs, a Silicon Valley program and the Robert Day Scholars, a select group of students prepared for roles in financial services, consulting, technology and not-for-profit organizations.

The federal figures describe the college as a whole: 91% of students graduate and 10% of applicants are admitted, which makes Claremont McKenna highly selective. The program earns a Program Score of 92 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students from the Claremont Colleges and the partner institutions the school names who want a compact year of advanced financial economics, since the page frames the program around that group.

Boston University's MS in Finance is a specialty master's program at the Questrom School of Business, and the page describes it as STEM-eligible. Students can tailor electives toward financial analysis, portfolio management, corporate finance management, risk management and credit management, and the school says the curriculum is aligned with Chartered Financial Analyst certification material. The hands-on work includes a Finance Practicum where small teams present an industry analysis to a panel of portfolio managers, AI for Financial Analysis, Private Equity and Communications in Finance. Students in the Graduate Finance and Investment Club manage a portion of a real stock investment fund, and an annual Battle of the Boutiques case competition pairs students with real companies. The school reports that 89% of Questrom MS graduates seeking employment accepted an offer within six months.

Boston University graduates 89% of its students and admits 11% of applicants. The Program Score is 90.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a team-based, practical finance degree with ties to Boston's asset, wealth and risk management firms.

The Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis (MIMFA) at Creighton University is a 30-credit online degree from the Heider College of Business that can be completed in as little as two years. Its curriculum is built on the Chartered Financial Analyst program, covering ethics, financial statement analysis, portfolio management, risk management and security analysis. The page says Creighton belongs to the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, which requires covering at least 70% of each level of CFA exam material, and that all MIMFA faculty hold the CFA credential. A 48-credit dual degree with the MBA can be done in as little as three years. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher and prior coursework in accounting, finance, economics and statistics.

Federal data show an 83% graduation rate and an 80% admit rate for the university. The program has a Program Score of 90.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits working professionals aiming at portfolio management, investments or security analysis, and candidates who plan to sit for the CFA exams.

The Finance MS at Texas A&M University-College Station is housed in the Department of Finance at Mays Business School. The graduate school lists it as a face-to-face master's degree offered in College Station, with no thesis or dissertation required. The program overview describes a curriculum that blends theory with practice and emphasizes corporate finance, investment management, risk analysis and financial technology. Students are expected to build advanced analytical and quantitative skills, and the program points to experiential learning, hands-on case studies and finance projects. Mays also lists career services and mentorship from experienced professionals as part of the experience.

The university graduates 84% of its students and admits 57% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 90.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a quantitative finance master's on campus rather than online, and who value applied case work. Since the page lists only the in-person format, applicants should plan to relocate to College Station and attend classes on campus.

Tulane's Master of Finance is offered by Tulane University of Louisiana's Freeman School of Business as an in-person program. The page says students can earn the degree in as little as two semesters, or about 10 months, and graduate ready to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam. The program is 30 credit hours and offers five career tracks: corporate treasury, investment banking, asset management, financial data analytics and sustainable finance. Skills taught include equity valuation and investment analysis, portfolio management and risk hedging, financial modeling and statement analysis, and strategic corporate finance. Applications are accepted in rounds, with deadlines on November 1, February 1 and May 1.

Federal data show an 86% graduation rate at Tulane and an admit rate of 14% for the university overall. The program has a Program Score of 89.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits recent graduates and career changers who want a short, specialized finance degree with a defined track, and who can commit to a full-time, in-person year in New Orleans.

Auburn University's Harbert College of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance aimed at students interested in managing corporate and government funds. The curriculum covers financial theory, mathematics, quantitative finance, investments, markets, reporting and analysis, and valuation, and it prepares graduates for risk management, trading and investment roles. The degree is offered in two modalities, full-time on campus and online, with the same curriculum in both. Students can add an MBA with only a few hours of additional coursework or attach a graduate certificate without extending the program. The program also lists leadership workshops, professional development training and a global business immersion trip, and the college describes the program as nationally ranked.

The Program Score is 89.3 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Auburn graduates 82% of its students overall and admits 46% of applicants. The program fits students who want a quantitative finance credential, including working professionals who need the online option and those who want to pair the degree with an MBA.

The Master of Science in Finance at the University of Pittsburgh is a 30-credit degree from the Katz Graduate School of Business. Full-time students can finish in as little as nine months, or two terms, beginning in the August term. Part-time study is also offered, with starts in fall, spring or summer and completion in two years. The school describes the program as building technical finance skills for corporate finance, banking and investment careers, or for further academic study.

Katz is a CFA Institute University Affiliate, and the program says its curriculum covers 70 percent of the topics on the Chartered Financial Analyst exam. It also states that the coursework strengthens preparation for the CPA and Certified Financial Planner credentials. A professional development track covers CFA certification. Federal data shows an 85% graduation rate at Pitt and a 58% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 89.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want an accelerated graduate finance degree with a clear path toward the CFA, whether they study full time or alongside work.

Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management offers the Master of Finance, called the MFin. The school says the curriculum emphasizes practical use of core concepts: valuing businesses, locating where risk actually sits, connecting financial analysis to strategy and operations, building models that inform decisions, and explaining findings clearly to managers and executives. Students choose between a 9-month accelerated track and a 15-month professional track. They also complete the professionalism and communication core shared across Weatherhead's specialty master's programs. The page says the degree offers flexibility for STEM designation and OPT eligibility for international students. Typical early roles it lists include financial analyst, investment banker or equity researcher, asset manager, risk or analytics analyst, and finance-focused consultant.

Case Western admits 37% of applicants and graduates 87% of its students, and it enrolls 12,475 students. The program holds a Program Score of 88.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who like quantitative problem-solving and want a choice between a fast full-time year and a longer format that suits a working schedule. Applicants who want a broad general MBA may prefer a different degree.

The University of Miami offers a STEM-designated Master of Science in Finance through the Miami Herbert Business School, available full time or part time with January or August starts. The school also offers the degree online. Students customize the experience by choosing course clusters such as Financial Analytics, Fintech, Corporate Finance, Investment and Portfolio Management, International Finance, Psychology of Financial Markets, Real Estate Investment, Sustainable Finance and Wealth Management. The program accepts applicants with or without work experience and those without a finance undergraduate degree, who can use the Bridge to MSF. The page says the university is a CFA-affiliated school with a curriculum that helps prepare students for the CFA designation, Bloomberg certification and securities licenses.

The University of Miami graduates 84% of its students and admits 19% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 87.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. It fits career changers and recent graduates who want a specialized finance master's with flexible scheduling and a choice of focus areas, whether investments, Fintech or wealth management. Applicants should note that the online and on-campus formats may differ, so they should confirm which option suits their schedule.

Bentley University's Master of Science in Finance lets students choose among four majors: Traditional Finance, Financial Analytics, Fintech, and Financial Planning and Wealth Management. Each is a 10-course major, and the page says completion takes 9 to 15 months depending on the track, or 12 to 15 months for Financial Analytics. Students who are undecided can start and pick a track later. The Financial Analytics and Fintech paths are STEM-designated, and the planning major prepares students for the Certified Financial Planner exams. The school describes the coursework as aligned with all three levels of the CFA Exam and says students use the Trading Room with Bloomberg and FactSet. The school reports a Financial Times top 5 U.S. ranking for 2027.

Federal data show an 87% graduation rate and a 45% admit rate, so admission is moderately selective. The program earned a Program Score of 87.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits career builders who want a short, specialized master's with a defined track, whether the goal is investment management, financial technology or wealth planning.

The Master of Financial Planning and Financial Psychology at Creighton University is an online degree from the Heider College of Business. Students complete 11 classes (33 credit hours): seven financial planning courses covering insurance, retirement, estate planning, taxation, investments and a cases course, plus four financial psychology courses on behavioral finance and the psychology of family finances. The page describes it as a CFP Board registered program that offers the coursework required to sit for the CFP exam. Courses run in eight-week sessions, the degree can be finished in as little as 16 months, and classes start in August, October, January, March and June. Admission asks for a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and the school reports AACSB accreditation.

Federal data show an 83% graduation rate and an 80% admit rate for the university. The program has a Program Score of 86.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working financial planners, advisors and wealth management professionals seeking the CFP designation, and career entrants who want to understand how clients' beliefs shape their money decisions.

Lincoln University in Oakland offers a Master of Science in Finance Management for students who hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in business. The coursework addresses capital sourcing, foreign and domestic investment risk, financial performance assessment, and financial forecasting and planning, and it draws on how firms operate domestically versus globally. Students with business degrees complete at least 36 semester credit units, built from five core courses and elective courses, including a core in managerial accounting and financial control and a strategy capstone for finance management. Elective courses add a practicum research component supervised by faculty, and the Graduate Internship and Report courses involve at least 180 hours of supervised work. Students without prior study in business may be assigned up to 18 units of foundation courses. The estimated time to complete the degree is two years.

This program has a Program Score of 85.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Lincoln reports a 100% graduation rate and is open admission, so no admit rate applies. The school is a private nonprofit with about 436 students. The program fits students with a business background who want applied finance training and internship experience, and who are comfortable in a small institution.

American University's master's in finance sits in the Kogod School of Business and totals 33 credits. The page says the program prepares students for the CFA, CAIA, CFP and FRM exams, and it names CFA and CAIA affiliated-program benefits such as sample exams and scholarships. The finance core covers financial modeling, quantitative methods in finance, advanced financial management, and investment analysis and portfolio management, and students choose 21 credit hours of electives such as financial statement analysis, corporate valuation, derivatives and risk management, and fixed income analysis. A Capstone Practicum applies analytical skills to real-world data. Students can attend full-time or part-time, finishing in 12 to 24 months, with an average of three semesters, and can add a certificate in Islamic Finance or Real Estate.

Federal numbers show a 75% graduation rate and a 62% admit rate at American University. The program carries a Program Score of 84.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits career changers and working professionals who want a credential-oriented path toward CFA or similar exams, and those who want hands-on portfolio experience through the student-managed investment fund elective. The large elective block lets students tilt the degree toward investments, risk or corporate finance.

Florida International University (FIU) offers a Master of Science in Finance built around financial theory, strategy, methodologies, analysis and practice. The program page says it is a University Affiliation Program with the CFA Institute and offers preparation for Level I of the CFA exam. Students use financial software for valuation analysis, derivative pricing and risk management, securities trading portfolio management, bank management and merger analysis. They also become Bloomberg Certified and get access to Bloomberg terminals and the Bloomberg Lab. The structure is cohort based and lock-step: everyone starts together and moves through the curriculum as a group, with finance workshops before the start to refresh skills. The program runs 12 months with Spring and Fall intake, in person on weekday evenings or Saturdays at the MMC Campus and FIU Brickell, or fully online.

FIU has a 74% graduation rate and a 55% admit rate in federal data. This program has a Program Score of 84.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format fits working professionals who want a one-year route into corporate finance, investment advisory, fund management, mergers and acquisitions, or FinTech, and who prefer the structure of a cohort. A dedicated career services team provides career planning and interview coaching.