MSF Rankings 2024
Making this list purely on my personal perception of the programs. I feel like it would be helpful for prospective students who are thinking about doing an MSF.
S Tier: Vanderbilt
A Tier: Georgetown
B Tier: UT, USC, Villanova
C Tier: IU, Notre Dame, Emory
D Tier: OSU, SMU
These programs would be generally better from a rebranding and OCR point of view.
Avoid Tulane, UIUC, WUSTL as these programs genuinely hold no value and have just become cash cow businesses where 90% of the students are Chinese kids and have poor placements.
Vanderbilt should be in a tier by itself. Really the only program that consistently places the majority of its class in FO roles. Emory and Georgetown should be equivalent to the next tier, and then everyone else below can be debated. Emory's program is new but is starting to gain a solid reputation and placed a few kids at some really good roles this year; Georgetown places 4-5 at MM each year, which is solid for an MSF.
Doing one of these next year, so researched them a lot lol.
Tbf cant argue that, just put Vandy in its own tier
Which program are you headed into next year?
Can't say. But would say all these programs are great except maybe for the D Tier
Why is Vandy the best?
Switch Nova and UT Austin, and it's a good list
Willing to make the change but what is the thought process behind switching these two? Both programs place students regionally, and for me in that case Villanova beats UT every time since its so close to NY.
Look up the VSB (Villanova School of Business) alums on LinkedIn and filter by "What they studied: Finance". Now do this to for Villanova University (undergrad) and see that the placements are wildly better.
Their masters programs have not placed anyone anywhere except for a few student athletes that were already at Villanova for undergrad and had been recruiting throughout undergrad.
Also the employment report for Villanova is so bare bones, it looks like they are trying to hide how bad their placements actually are.
UT Austin may be more regional to Texas, but at least you can get into better roles, and it's a top 20 school with a better name.
I can't say I'm too familiar with many MSF programs. However, I will note, I have crossed paths with GTown, Vandy, and Nova (albeit only a few) MSF alumni.
Georgetown MSF is by far the best. Places many in to MM/EB/even BB. Also the only program that places into buyside roles. Know a few who went to HSW after.
heard that they dont give F1 visa to internationals, is that true? I'm a canadian looking to apply
Yeah, program is non STEM extension. I've talked to admissions
I think Vanderbilt is a no brainer. But I wanted to stack other programs as not everyone can or will get into Vandy at the end of the day. Georgetown is a really good program but the only negative is that they don’t take international students, I guess it’s a good or a bad thing depending on who you are
is emory that strong? which program gives the most scholarship money?
Emory is a good program, but would say not as good as Georgetown. In terms of scholarships, the state schools are gonna give you the least amount. I know Villanova has a great option of becoming a GA where you essentially get 50% tuition off. And i believe around 35% of the students get the GA position.
edit: dropped Emory down after viewing the recent career outcome report
right. yeah for me i’m an international so Georgetown isn’t ideal, looking for the best program possible with the highest scholarship money. is getting a RA position guaranteed?
if you're choosing a master's program based on what's cheaper, you're better off not doing a master's at all - that's a 100% scholarship (more if you take into account money from working instead of going to classes), and the results will be the same if not better (cause 2 years of work experience are more valuable than a master's from a school that nobody's heard of) than going to whatever master's offers the most scholarship money.
I would probably encourage people to view the price according to how much you think the program will aid you with landing a job post grad. For example, I would pay full price for Vandy instead of having a large scholarship at a school with weak job placements. However, I would choose lateraling every time over attending masters. But for international students it is not an option unfortunately.
MIT, Princeton, NYU, Duke
Those are top programs just are not true MSF. They more quant focused MFE and MMS programs
still probably makes more sense to go to one of those, even if you don't plan to be a quant, rather than going to any of the ones on your list. yeah, you'll have to take a few difficult math/programming courses, but you'll have MIT/Princeton/NYU on your diploma instead of Villanova/OSU/UIUC. Duke is better too cause it will be a top diploma for a chill coursework. there are some other top schools that offer MMS. I forgot which ones, but something like UVA and Northwestern I think.
Agree with the comment on WUSTL, as a former graduate. WUSTL wasn't always like this. It had a very rigorous, selective program for a while. As the economy improved after the financial crisis, it slowly became, as you said, a cash cow for internationals (looking for the quant visa and willing to pay full sticker price).
I've applied to Vandy but does anyone know if they place into BB? I know they have great placements into MM but with a corporate banking internship at a BB what would be my chances of lateral into IB thru this program?
Cant speak on the corporate banking internship, but I wouldn’t be entering any MSF program if BB IB is my end goal. At that point it probably makes more sense to get some work experience in finance and then do an MBA at a T20 school
I'm international, so I need the work extension from STEM masters
Also, that'll make my placement into Private equity harder compared to breaking in undergrad but appreciate the suggestion
Check out their employment reports. They had some placements into BBs for the 2023 class, but definitely less than usual given the market conditions.
Your evaluation of MSF programs may be helpful to future students considering their study options. Your personal perceptions and experiences can help them make more informed choices. Given the variety of programs and their features, your list can be a valuable resource for those looking for a program that fits their needs and goals. I hope your feedback will help future graduate students make more informed decisions.
Does Emory place well? I am trying to find where MAF students ended up, but I cannot find that many. Is it worth the investment for IB?
See the link below. Breaking into IB will be solely on you at Emory. Doesn't seem like anyone landed a role in IB from the 2023 class.
https://goizueta.emory.edu/documents/MAFemploymentreport.pdf
It says it in the employment document you provided. There were CIB Analysts hired. Truist and Regions (Atlanta) call their IB analysts Corporate & Investment Banking analysts in this region. I don't know why, but I know several people in RE IB with the title CIB Analyst.
Truist and Regions will hire people out of the program and you don't need to recruit 12+ months in advance
Where does UVA place on this?
Have heard mixed reviews on it, but am curious what this community thinks of it.
Ok, thank you for all of the info. So you would recommend Georgetown over Emory for IB?
Yes, at least imo.
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