If you're considering a career in finance, you're likely searching for universities that will best equip you with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed in the industry. Aspiring finance students across the US and beyond often aim for the best finance schools in the country to enhance their job prospects and build a strong foundation in the field. This article is designed to narrow your search by highlighting ten of the top universities offering finance programs in the US. By examining each school’s reputation, acceptance rate, graduate employment rate, and the median salary of finance graduates, you'll be better positioned to choose a program that aligns with your career and academic ambitions.
| School | Finance Ranking | Median GPA | Acceptance Rate | Employment Rate | Average Post-Graduation Salary (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 1 | 3.6 | 6% | 98% | $92,000 |
| New York University (Stern) | 2 | 3.5 | 8% | 97% | $84,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | 3 | 3.6 | 6% | 95% | $91,000 |
| University of Michigan (Ross) | 4 | 3.5 | 12% | 97% | $85,000 |
| University of California--Berkeley (Haas) | 5 | 3.5 | 8% | 95% | $87,000 |
| Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) | 6 | 3.4 | 15% | 94% | $86,000 |
| Boston College (Carroll) | 7 | 3.4 | 19% | 94% | $80,000 |
| University of Texas--Austin (McCombs) | 8 | 3.4 | 19% | 95% | $80,000 |
| Harvard University | 9 | 3.7 | 5% | 95% | $90,000 |
| Indiana University (Kelley) | 10 | 3.4 | 37% | 93% | $77,000 |
Finance Classes at the University of Pennsylvania
🎓 Ranked #1 for Finance
📚 Choice of Elective Courses
✍️ Practical Learning
While rankings should never be the sole criteria of your search, it’s certainly easier said than done when a university is ranked as the best finance school in the US.4 Even just having the university down on your resume after you graduate will have employers placing your application at the very top of the pile. This is because the school is well-renowned for producing graduates who are driven and capable of making an impact from the time they enter their careers.
The mix of core and elective finance courses that are offered at the Wharton School of Business provides students with a comprehensive and practical knowledge of the subject, acting as a bridge towards their future financial careers. In order to major in finance here, you’ll need to take both FNCE 1000 and FNCE 1010 as core subjects, along with a minimum of four additional credit units from the finance department.4 By studying here, you’ll have no shortage of choices when it comes to the modules that you can delve into over the course of your learning.
The finance courses cover topics such as Corporate Finance, Capital Markets and Banking, Alternative Investments, Investment Management, and Quantitative Finance, so you have the comfort of knowing that no stone will be left unturned in the subject.
Having a finance degree from the University of Pennsylvania on your resume will stand out to you when you get around to interviewing for roles in the sector. Students aiming to build a strong foundation in financial theory and practice often look for the best finance schools in the US to jumpstart their careers.
A Finance Degree at New York University
🎓 Ranked #2 for Finance
📚 Collaborative Assignments
🏦 94% Employment Rate
Rivaling the number one spot, New York University is another school that aspiring finance professionals flock in numbers to each year in order to develop the necessary skills to meet the demands of the ever-evolving job market.
While becoming a finance graduate of NYU Stern will prepare you for a variety of finance roles, the range of careers you can enter with your degree is by no means confined to one sector.
In fact, finance graduates from this program often secure prestigious positions with banks, investment banking houses, tech companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and insurance companies, to name a few.
Your career options are diverse, ranging from credit analysis to product profitability analysis and even apprentice floor trading on exchanges.
The university also comes with a unique set of incentives both inside and outside the lecture hall, such as its location right in the heart of New York City. This prime location leaves plenty of opportunities for a more balanced student life, along with just about any learning resource you could desire.
The finance program at NYU Stern goes beyond just financial knowledge and gives students the opportunity to develop vital communication and teamwork skills through the various collaborative assignments they’ll engage with over the course of their learning.6 This is definitely something you should have in your search criteria, as the ability to work in diverse teams, often alongside multinational managers, marketing professionals, and accountants, is something that is highly desired by finance professionals. Choosing one of the best finance schools in USA ensures access to top-notch faculty, excellent internship programs, and powerful alumni networks.
Of course, the resources provided by the school also add to its allure. In particular, the option is to meet with peer mentors - juniors and seniors who have experience in popular industries. Faculty advisers are available to discuss coursework and professional pathways in finance. Additionally, academic advisers can help you plan your concentration and overall degree program. In the realm of financial education, New York University sets a high standard, offering coveted degrees that draw aspiring finance professionals from across the nation.
How to Get a Finance Degree from MIT
🎓 Ranked #3 for Finance
📚 Choice of Elective Courses
👩🏫 Experienced Finance Faculty
If you're researching the best schools for finance, consider looking into curriculum strength, industry connections, and post-grad employment rates. If you’re still on the lookout for a suitable school to study a finance course at, then MIT could very well be the catalyst you are seeking to help kickstart your career. Graduates from the finance courses offered at MIT acquire plenty of practical experience over the course of their education, enabling them to make an impact not only in the contemporary financial sector but long into the future.5
This can be attributed to the long list of courses that you can engage with as a finance major. You’ll be able to engage with modules in Managerial Finance, Corporate Finance, Accounting, Microeconomics, and Probability and Statistics with an effective mix of theoretical and practical learnings. Many of the top finance schools are part of prestigious universities that offer both undergraduate and graduate finance degrees.
In order to get a better idea of how your classes might look as a finance major at MIT, have a look at this introduction to the subject given by a professor at MIT. If you are currently looking to study finance at the undergraduate level, then you may also be persuaded by the degree of choice that is offered at the university. By majoring in finance (Course 15-3) you’ll also be given the opportunity to take the wheel with your learning by having a choice in which elective finance courses you choose to supplement your learning and steer it in whatever direction you wish. As one of the top options available in the country, the admissions process for MIT is extremely competitive and favors students that have well-rounded applications.
This slim acceptance rate reflects a highly competitive admissions process that evaluates students holistically. Academic excellence—evident in MIT freshmen’s typical SAT scores of 780–800 (math) and 740–780 (ERW)—must be paired with deep intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a strong alignment with MIT’s collaborative, innovation-driven culture.
It requires students to submit academic records, interest in extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters. In some cases, there will also be a follow-up interview, so make sure that you are prepared to convey your suitability for the university as well as your interest in studying finance. Massachusetts Institute of Technology empowers finance students to chart their own educational course, providing a smorgasbord of subject choices that cater to individual interests and goals. To land a job in competitive fields like investment banking or corporate finance, earning one of the best finance degrees is a strategic move.
A Finance Degree at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
🎓 Ranked #4 in Finance
💻 Research Powerhouse
🏛️ Midwest Ivy
At the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, finance education is anything but standard. Ranked among the very best finance schools in the US, Ross is known for its immersive, hands-on approach to learning, giving students ample opportunities to put theory into practice before they even graduate.
Students can take part in real investment fund management through programs like the Maize and Blue Fund, a student-led initiative that manages a portion of the university's endowment. These unique experiential opportunities help students step directly into careers in private equity, venture capital, corporate finance, and wealth management.
Students can choose a Financial Management or Financial Services concentration and may pursue professional certifications like CFA, CFM, or CFP.
Located in Ann Arbor, a city consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in America, Michigan offers a well-rounded experience. Whether you're looking to build professional connections, participate in diverse student organizations, or simply enjoy campus life, Ross provides the perfect blend of academic excellence and personal development.
A Degree in Finance at the University of California, Berkeley
🎓 Ranked #5 in Finance
⚙️ Tech-Adjacent
⬅️ West Coast Giant
The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley consistently ranks as one of the best finance schools in the US and for good reason. Its location in the San Francisco Bay Area provides unmatched access to both traditional finance institutions and cutting-edge fintech startups, allowing students to explore a broad spectrum of career paths.
I learned a lot about personal finance in a space where I felt comfortable and supported, which I’m really grateful for.
A student from UC Berkeley.
Berkeley finance students benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes both analytical precision and ethical decision-making. This dual focus equips them to lead in high-stakes financial environments, from Silicon Valley venture capital firms to global investment banks. Graduates often enter careers in financial planning, impact investing, and corporate treasury.
Haas also prides itself on fostering a collaborative culture rooted in innovation and inclusion. Students participate in finance-related clubs, competitions, and real-world consulting projects, all while enjoying the proximity to one of the most dynamic tech and financial hubs in the world.
A Finance Degree at Carnegie Mellon University
🎓 Ranked #6 in Finance
💻 Analytical Edge
🔬 Innovation-Driven
Known for its quantitative rigor and interdisciplinary approach, Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business earns its place among the best finance schools in the US. Its finance program is particularly attractive for students who thrive in data-intensive environments and want to combine finance with analytics, computer science, or engineering.
The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in finance, including a Bachelor of Science in Computational Finance (BSCF) and a Master of Science in Computational Finance (MSCF). The MSCF program, in particular, is highly regarded for its interdisciplinary approach, combining finance theory, mathematical modeling, and computer science.
Tepper’s finance curriculum emphasizes computational finance, risk modeling, and algorithmic trading, making it a feeder school for Wall Street firms and hedge funds looking for technically skilled professionals. Students regularly collaborate with peers from the university’s renowned computer science and engineering departments, giving them a unique edge in the marketplace.
Set in Pittsburgh, Tepper also offers the advantages of a growing finance and tech scene at a more affordable cost of living. For students drawn to the analytical side of finance and excited by innovation, Carnegie Mellon is a compelling option that blends academic challenge with market relevance.
How to Get a Finance Degree at Boston College
🎓 Ranked #7 in Finance
⛪ Jesuit Tradition
💪🏻 Northeast Stronghold
The Carroll School of Management at Boston College offers a finance program that combines technical proficiency with strong ethical grounding, reflecting the university’s Jesuit values. It’s considered one of the best finance schools in the US for students who seek a rigorous academic experience with a service-oriented foundation.
Boston College finance students benefit from deep alumni networks in Boston, New York, and other major financial cities. The curriculum covers a wide array of finance sectors, including risk management, financial planning, portfolio theory, and global markets.7 Many graduates go on to work in investment firms, regulatory agencies, or multinational corporations.
Beyond academics, students find a wealth of career development resources, from industry panels to mentorship programs. Boston College also encourages its finance students to give back through community investment projects and sustainability-driven financial practices, making it a top pick for those looking to make both impact and income.
Getting a Finance Degree at the University of Texas – Austin
🎓 Ranked #8 in Finance
🏛️ Leading Public Institution
💹 Southern Financial Hub
The University of Texas at Austin, home to the McCombs School of Business, continues to climb the ranks as one of the best finance schools in the US. Known for producing job-ready graduates, McCombs offers a finance program that prepares students for a wide variety of professional roles through a rigorous curriculum grounded in real-world relevance.
UT Austin's finance graduates often land high-paying positions in investment banking, asset management, real estate finance, and corporate finance, thanks in part to the university’s strong ties with major financial institutions in Texas and beyond. What also sets the McCombs experience apart is the emphasis on case-based learning, financial modeling, and exposure to cutting-edge technology platforms used in the industry.
Its vibrant campus life, combined with the booming job market in Austin, offers finance students an engaging balance between academics and extracurricular development. For those interested in both professional growth and dynamic campus energy, the University of Texas at Austin should not be overlooked.
Getting a Finance Degree from Harvard University
🎓 Ranked #9 for Finance
💻 Online Learning Options
📚 Choice of Elective Courses
Harvard University is considered by many to be the most prestigious university here in the US, and rightfully so! The university is positioned among the highest-ranking schools for numerous subjects and stands at the number 9 spot when it comes to finance.
So, when you’re sitting down at your desk at home looking at the various schools that you intend to make an application for, what is it about Harvard that makes it such an attractive option among US and international students alike?
One of the reasons is how Harvard has been so adaptive to the prevalence of online learning, using it across many of the courses that it provides.
This allows students to work on their coursework from home or anywhere outside college grounds, saving them time and money. For those intending to work a part-time or full-time job alongside their education, the opportunity to take your classes online is an incentive that can be tough to look past. If you look at the finance masters that’s provided at Harvard, for example, there are just a few on-campus commitments that can even be provided over the weekend in order to make things easier on students who have commitments outside of their studies.
The next reason would be the selection of finance courses, along with the potential to customize your learning to be in line with your desired career path. You’ll be able to select your courses outside of the core subjects so long as they make up 48 credits. So once you’ve covered investment theory, corporate finance, and business evaluation, you’ll have free reign over how you go about selecting your finance electives.
When your resume boasts a finance degree from Harvard University, it speaks volumes to employers about your caliber, opening doors to exceptional career opportunities. Finding the best finance school in the US depends on your personal goals—whether it's Wall Street placement or fintech innovation.
Prepare for Finance School with Superprof
The best finance schools in America prepare students with a mix of analytical skills, business ethics, and global financial literacy. Setting your sights on the leading finance schools in the US is going to be an uphill battle, so in order to ensure that your application is placed at the top of the pile and ahead of your competition, there is a need to focus on improving your grades as well as your application.
In order to leave chance out of the equation and stack the odds in your favor, there is an inherent need to work alongside a tutor who has helped countless students in your very position in the past. That’s where Superprof comes in; the platform is the best place for students to find finance professionals and experienced teachers to guide them towards whatever academic or professional goals they have tasked themselves with accomplishing.
While earning a place at one of the finance schools featured in this article is no easy feat, the work doesn’t stop there. You can expect the competitive nature of the schools to carry on throughout the course of your education. In order to ensure that you are keeping up with the pace of a top-level finance course or have a foundation of the subjects prior to stepping foot in the lecture hall, then you’ll want to consider pairing up with one of the tutors offering their service over on Supeprof. The flexibility offered by Superprof’s tutors will even enable you to schedule your classes around your busy timetable, making tutoring all the more accessible for students like yourself!
References
- U.S. News & World Report. (2024). Best Undergraduate Finance Programs Rankings. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
- Investopedia. (2024). Top 10 Jobs for Finance Majors. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/finance-careers.asp
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Business and Financial Occupations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm
- University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School. (n.d.). Wharton School. https://www.wharton.upenn.edu
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan School of Management. (n.d.). MIT Sloan School of Management. https://mitsloan.mit.edu
- New York University – Stern School of Business. (n.d.). NYU Stern. https://www.stern.nyu.edu
- Boston College – Carroll School of Management. (n.d.). Carroll School of Management. https://www.bc.edu
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