Best Universities for Finance in USA For International Students

The United States is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, offering high-quality education across a wide range of fields — from medicine and engineering to computer science and data science. Finance is no exception.

This article brings together the best universities for finance in USA, covering both undergraduate and Master’s in Finance (MS in Finance) programs, with practical guidance and ranking-based choices for international students. 

Contents:

• Why the USA Leads in Finance Education
• Top 10 Best Universities for Finance in USA
• Best Universities for Masters in Finance in USA
• In Summary

Why the USA Leads in Finance Education

The United States remains a global leader in finance education thanks to its strong academic culture, close industry connections, and strong employment outcomes. For international students, U.S. institutions offer:

• Global recognition, especially in major financial centers
• A blend of rigorous theory, hands-on learning, and internships
• Multicultural campuses and support services tailored to international undergraduate and graduate students

The QS World University Rankings 2025 clearly reflect this dominance, with many U.S. universities securing top positions in finance. Let’s take a closer look at the leading institutions.

Top 10 Best Universities for Finance in USA

These universities — ranked among the top 10 in the QS Accounting & Finance 2025 rankings — offer programs for both undergraduate and master’s students.

1. Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

QS Global Rank*: 1st

Overall Score: 98.7

*Here, QS Global Rank refers to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Accounting & Finance.

Finance-related programs at Harvard are primarily offered through the Department of Economics (undergraduate level) and Harvard Business School (HBS), which runs one of the world’s top-ranked MBAs with a strong finance track. Students have access to resources like the Baker Library | Bloomberg Center, the HBS Investment Club, and active recruitment from leading Wall Street firms. Harvard’s focus on both theoretical depth and practical exposure makes it a top destination for international students pursuing finance at any level.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

QS Global Rank: 2nd

Overall Score: 97.4

Finance education at MIT is centered around the MIT Sloan School of Management, which offers the highly competitive Master of Finance (MFin) program — ranked among the best in the world for quantitative and analytical training. The curriculum integrates data science, machine learning, and financial engineering, with access to research labs like the Laboratory for Financial Engineering. 

Undergraduates can study finance through the Course 15-3 (Finance track) within the MIT School of Management. The school’s strong ties to Wall Street and tech-driven firms make it a top choice for international students seeking finance programs at both undergraduate and master’s levels

3. Stanford University

Location: Stanford, California

QS Global Rank: 3rd

Overall Score: 96.8

Finance programs at Stanford are offered primarily through the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) and the Department of Economics. GSB’s MBA program allows students to specialize in finance, with electives covering asset pricing, private equity, venture capital, and financial modeling. At the undergraduate level, finance is studied through the Economics major or the Management Science & Engineering program. Stanford’s proximity to Silicon Valley gives students direct access to startups, tech investment firms, and venture capital networks, while research centers like the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) offer opportunities for hands-on financial research.

4. University of Chicago 

Location: Chicago, Illinois

QS Global Rank: 5th 

Overall Score: 89.6

The University of Chicago’s finance education is anchored by the Booth School of Business, known for its rigorous and data-driven MBA program with a finance specialization. The school emphasizes empirical research and financial economics, influenced by Nobel laureates like Eugene Fama and Richard Thaler. Undergraduate students interested in finance typically choose the Economics or Business Economics tracks offered by the College. Booth hosts research centers such as the Fama-Miller Center for Research in Finance and the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP), providing students with access to valuable financial data and tools.

5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 

Location: Berkeley, California

QS Global Rank: 7th

Overall Score: 87.8

UC Berkeley’s finance education is delivered mainly through the Haas School of Business, which offers a highly competitive undergraduate business program with a finance concentration, as well as graduate programs including the MBA and the Master of Financial Engineering (MFE). The MFE program is especially notable for its focus on quantitative finance, data analytics, and risk management. Berkeley also boasts strong industry connections and numerous student-led finance organizations that provide practical experience and networking opportunities.

6. University of Pennsylvania 

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

QS Global Rank: 9th

Overall Score: 87

The University of Pennsylvania delivers finance education through the renowned Wharton School, offering a dedicated Undergraduate Concentration in Finance, an MBA major in Finance, and a Master of Finance program. The curriculum focuses on areas such as corporate finance, private equity, venture capital, fintech, and financial markets. Students have access to resources like the Wharton Finance Club, Penn Investment Alliance, and on-campus recruitment events with leading firms. The school’s strong employer ties, global alumni network, and consistent graduate placement in top financial institutions make it a premier choice for international students.

7. Yale University 

Location: New Haven, Connecticut

QS Global Rank: 10th

Overall Score: 86.1

The finance-focused programs at Yale are delivered through the Yale School of Management (SOM), which offers a full-time MBA with finance electives, and specialized one-year master’s degrees in Asset Management and Systemic Risk, as well as a PhD track in financial economics. SOM emphasizes a blend of analytical rigor, ethics, and real-world applications — most notably through its Master’s in Asset Management, developed in collaboration with the Yale Investments Office and inspired by the iconic "Yale Model" of endowment management. 

Students have access to finance-focused student clubs and frequent industry events. Yale SOM’s faculty includes leading scholars in behavioral finance and asset management like Tobias Moskowitz and the legacy of David Swensen — often placing its finance graduates in top institutions worldwide.

8. New York University (NYU) 

Location: New York City, New York

QS Global Rank: 11th

Overall Score: 86

NYU Stern School of Business offers a Business Administration undergraduate degree with a finance concentration, alongside graduate programs including MBA, Master of Finance, and specialized finance electives. Stern is strategically located in Manhattan, providing unmatched access to Wall Street internships and industry events. Its finance faculty includes leading scholars such as Johannes Stroebel and Aswath Damodaran, notable for research in household finance and investment valuation. Student-driven organizations like the Stern Finance Club and Investment Banking Club foster practical experience, mentoring, and recruitment from top-tier firms.

9. Columbia University 

Location: New York City, New York

QS Global Rank: 12th

Overall Score: 85.6

Columbia’s finance programs are delivered through the Columbia Business School (MBA, EMBA, and Master of Science in Financial Economics) and the Department of Economics (undergraduate finance concentration in Economics). The school provides rigorous training in areas such as corporate finance, asset management, financial modeling, and ESG investing. Located in Manhattan, Columbia offers unparalleled access to Wall Street firms, internships, and alumni-led recruitment events. Research centers like the Columbia-Imperial Institute for Quantitative Finance and Columbia Business School Research Initiative on Finance enable students to engage in cutting-edge financial analysis.

10. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Location: Los Angeles, California

QS Global Rank: 14th

Overall Score: 84.2

Finance education at UCLA is delivered through the Anderson School of Management, which offers graduate programs such as the MBA, Master of Financial Engineering (MFE), and specialized finance electives. UCLA does not offer a formal undergraduate business degree, so finance-related undergraduate learning typically happens through Business Economics, Statistics/Data Science, or Applied Mathematics majors. Student organizations such as Bruin Asset Management and Bruin Consulting provide hands-on experience, while the university’s location enables strong recruiting ties with West Coast financial and tech firms.

So, we've covered the top 10 universities in the U.S. for studying finance — both at the undergraduate and master’s levels. As a bonus, here’s a list of 6 American institutions that are especially well-regarded for their Master’s in Finance programs.

Best Universities for Masters in Finance in USA

(with Employability Score — according to the QS ranking) 

1. MIT (Sloan) — 98.5
2. UC Berkeley (Haas School) — 96.1
3. Yale School of Management — 99.2
4. UCLA (Anderson) — 93.2
5. NYU (Stern) — 98
6. Columbia Business School — 99.6

Tips for International Students Pursuing Finance in the USA

1. Apply early: Visa delays and stricter immigration policies in 2025 have caused significant disruption. Thousands of international students are being delayed or denied, impacting enrolment at even top schools.

2. Understand funding & tuition: Top programs cost upward of $80 000–$125 000 per year (e.g. MIT’s 18-month Master of Finance costs ~$124 875). Aid for international students may tighten under current federal funding changes 

3. Prepare strong applications: Standardized tests (GMAT/GRE), work/study experience, financial plans, and English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) are often required. Some programs (like MIT Sloan) may waive GMAT depending on profile.

4. Prioritize career support: Many of these universities offer top career services, internship pipelines, and high post-graduation placement rates — often 95–100% employment within six months.

In Summary

Choosing where to study finance is a pivotal decision for many, especially international students seeking top-tier education and career prospects. The best universities for finance in USA — according to QS 2025 — include Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Chicago, Berkeley, Pennsylvania, Yale, NYU, Columbia, and UCLA.

For those targeting a Master’s in Finance, programs at MIT Sloan, UC Berkeley (Haas), Yale School of Management, UCLA Anderson, NYU Stern, and Columbia Business School rank among the best, offering top employability and value-for-money scores.

Whether pursuing an undergraduate degree or a Master’s in Finance in the USA, all featured universities offer world-class programs tailored to international students.