Two top universities offering career-advancing MS in Finance programmes

Advancing your finance career can be quite a challenge, given the tough competition both in the classroom and the boardroom. Rapid technological changes and companies insisting future employees have years of experience before they are hired are often speed bumps that can hold a finance professional back.

One way to get ahead of the pack is by securing a Master of Science in Finance (MSF). Earning your master’s degree will not only help you climb up the corporate ladder, but it will also help you build a path to your ideal role in the finance world. This might sound like an overwhelming commitment at first, but with our recommendations of the top universities that provide these degrees, you will find one that can help advance your career according to your working style.

While many universities provide MSF programmes, none do it better than the following two; each of which offers their own unique set of benefits.

The advanced study in the MSF programme provides the tools and skills to prepare you for a career in a variety of fields, including investment and commercial banking, asset and wealth management, insurance, trading and corporate finance and treasury functions.

Northern Illinois University

The MSF programme at Northern Illinois University (NIU) stands out for its STEM-designated approach and applied learning experiences. You have the choice to tailor your programme according to your background, strengths and career aspirations. For example, students can choose to complete the programme online or part-time. Those seeking to graduate faster whilst experiencing the connected community of a major state university in the U.S. can opt for the full-time, in-person version. In addition, completing special certifications such as Fintech, Financial Risk Management and Financial Planning will allow you to hone more skills and differentiate yourself in the job market.

MSF students learn by doing. To prepare you for a variety of fields including investment and commercial banking, asset and wealth management, insurance, trading, and corporate finance and treasury functions, this programme includes various types of hands-on experiences and reflection. These include internships, semesters abroad, simulations as real-life managers, opportunities to serve as junior consultants, international competitions and more. More options are available via leadership positions in student organisations, participation in university committees or conferences.

“The MSF at NIU gave me a good insight into the life of a finance professional,” said Kashish Meghani, who earned her MSF in 2021 and works as an investment analyst at Waverly Advisors LLC. “From analysing securities on the Bloomberg terminal to presenting an investment thesis to a panel of judges at the CFA research challenge, the programme equipped me with solid quantitative and qualitative skills to embrace my professional journey.”

NIU’s College of Business has been one of the nation’s esteemed business schools for 34 consecutive years, since 1987, according to U.S. News & World Report. Its business programmes have received the prestigious AACSB International accreditation continuously since 1969.

In this programme, you learn from the best faculty and collaborate with students who will up your game. For instance, in 2022, NIU MSF students took first place in the global CFA Institute Research Challenge, after competing against 6,400 students from 1,100 universities across 91 countries.

For all that it offers, NIU’s MSF programme is among the most affordable compared to other universities. At US$25,793 for U.S. residents and US$36,331 for international students, the programme is reasonably priced and costs less than similar programmes in the U.S.

Want to Apply to Northern Illinois University’s MSF programme?

Texas Tech University

At the Rawls College of Business, over 6,000 students across six academic areas are preparing to lead in their chosen fields. As there is a wide variety of graduate programmes, there’s a career-boosting degree for everyone. Those seeking greater earning potential and competitive edge in the finance sector can join the Master of Science in Finance.

In one year and 30 credit hours, you will learn how to make informed financial decisions and evaluations, balance the relationship between risk and return, and evaluate financial data through advanced proficiency in spreadsheets and databases. As a graduate, you’re set to apply to many fields of finance, including corporate finance, security analysis and valuation, investment management, commercial and investment banking, real estate analysis and investments, and more.

Rawls’s MS in Finance graduates stand out for significant experience. These include the opportunity to manage an equity portfolio with a market value of approximately US $2.8 million through the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), a security valuation and portfolio management practicum course. This pairs well with their competitive knowledge and skills sought-after by prominent employers as they identify future leaders and executives.

“The MS in Finance programme at Texas Tech equipped me with the tools and knowledge required to enter the commercial real estate industry. The faculty was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely interested in seeing the students grow and prosper,” said graduate  Luke Goebel. “The Career Management Centre proved to be a wonderful and vital resource that helped me achieve my dream of working in the commercial real estate industry.”