For many aspiring finance professionals, the dream is to make it in New York City. After all, it is home to giants like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq. But what if you could access these opportunities without the high cost of living?
The University of Rochester’s Simon Business School makes this possible. Located in Rochester, a city with the second most affordable housing market in the US, the campus is idyllic and close to major north-eastern US and Canadian cities.
But it doesn’t stop with just a great location. A pioneer in STEM management education, Simon offers graduate programmes, including STEM-designated MS degrees, that take an unabashedly analytical approach and prepares students to stand out in the global marketplace. With pricing competitive compared to other top 50 US business schools, these are degrees with exceptional value.
Simon’s STEM-designated MS programmes show employers that graduates are experts in gathering and analysing information to drive business growth. Source: University of Rochester
Master the future of business
Simon’s one-year Full-Time MS business programmes feature internship and non-internship tracks, advanced certificates of achievement, and in-demand concentrations to enrich your education. What’s more, you’ll develop the technical, strategic, and hands-on skills to use AI in business as generative artificial intelligence is applied across all programmes.
If you want to excel in investment management, corporate finance, and risk management, there’s the recently enhanced MS in Finance. With three concentrations: Investment Management & Financial Analysis; Corporate Finance & Investment Banking; and Financial Technology & Innovation, the programme is recognised by Wall Street for its thought leadership in finance.
The MS in AI in Business, launched in 2024, has 10 core courses, eight electives, and Advanced Certificates in Analytics and Systems and Data Architectures. You will learn the analytical and tech skills to excel in an AI-assisted business world. As Yaqing Liu explains, “The curriculum focuses on building advanced analytical skills, which are essential for excelling in the field of data-driven decision-making.”
The MS in Business Analytics combines analytical thinking with an economics-based curriculum. It “checked all the boxes” for Dereck Figueroa Santana, who has a background in accounting and a small business in Puerto Rico. “I was looking for a programme that would help me shift into a data-driven, strategic role while still embracing my entrepreneurial background, ” he says.
Likewise, you’ll learn to use data to make better marketing decisions in MS in Marketing Analytics. Krisha Vira’s favourite class was Predictive and Causal Analytics. “It taught me to look beyond surface level insights and dive deeper into understanding what drives consumer behaviour and business outcomes,” she says. “Working hands-on with real-world datasets to forecast trends, segment audiences, and measure impact was incredibly rewarding.”
What makes both the Business and Marketing Analytics programmes unique is their focus on pricing, which you won’t find at many other schools. The MS in Business Analytics has Advanced Certificates of Achievement in Artificial Intelligence and Pricing, while the MS in Marketing Analytics provides Advanced Certificates of Achievement in Pricing and Customer and Campaign Analytics. An MS in Accountancy is available too, with Advanced Certificates of Achievement in Tax and Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination.
At Simon, you can join nearly a dozen industry-focused clubs that help boost your career. Source: University of Rochester
Thrive in a collaborative community
Simon’s academic excellence and practical learning are why Anushka Potdar, an MS in Finance student, loved studying here. But there’s more to it; she believes its collaborative community was key to her personal and professional growth.
Simon’s master’s programmes attract students from over 25 countries. Most MS students are around 23 years old, with undergraduate degrees in business or finance, math or sciences, economics, and engineering. They’re usually just starting their careers or have one to two years of work experience.
It may be a diverse environment, but Simon makes it work for everyone. Small class sizes and a career-focused approach make this possible. From co-curricular activities to internships and comprehensive career support, you’ll be ready for your next career move. Liu, for example, is working with Simon Vision Consulting, a student-led organisation that brings pro-bono consulting services to businesses.
“The numerous opportunities to engage in clubs and organisations provide enriching experiences, allowing me to gain valuable hands-on learning outside the classroom,” he says. And this community spirit stays with you after your time in school. Simon has an active alumni network, with many practising finance in New York City and working in global multinational high tech and consumer packaged goods firms.
As a top institution with a proven reputation for a strong return on investment, along with specialised studies, fast-paced learning, and a practical curriculum, Simon ensures that your degree leads to career success and lasting professional impact. Learn more about its Master of Science programmes here.
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