Pursuing a finance degree in the USA offers access to globally top-ranked universities and some of the highest-paying jobs in the financial sector. Institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford and the University of Chicago rank in the top 10 QS World Ranking (2025).
Admission to top U.S. finance programs is competitive across all levels. For bachelor’s degrees, universities require SAT 960–1460, IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL 71–100, or Duolingo 90–110. Some institutions, like Villanova and Babson College, have more selective acceptance rates (as low as 23–26%), while others like Wayne State College and Murray State University are more accessible. For MS in Finance programs, applicants generally need a 4-year undergraduate degree, IELTS 6.5–7.5 or TOEFL 90–110, and in many cases, GRE or GMAT scores—though some schools now offer test-optional policies. PhD programs in finance at top institutions require a strong academic background, research experience, and solid quantitative skills, with competitive applicants typically holding a master’s or honors-level undergraduate degree.
Finance careers in the U.S. offer strong earning potential:
- Financial Analysts earn ~$69,000
- Finance Managers: $100,000–$144,000
- CFOs/Investment Bankers: Up to $280,000
Salaries vary by industry, with Investment Banking averaging $97,674, Commercial Banking at $89,488, and Venture Capital around $88,643.
Top U.S. finance universities provide global career opportunities, especially in major financial hubs like New York and Chicago.
Read More: Study in USA
Top Universities for Finance in USA
The QS World University Rankings 2025 – Accounting & Finance list 15 U.S. universities among the global top 35. These include Ivy League institutions, public universities, and specialized finance programs with annual tuition fees ranging from ?12.5 lakh to ?78.5 lakh. Below is a list of the top universities for finance in USA along with their rankings and tuition costs for international students:
| QS Rank (2025) | University Name | Location | Avg. Tuition Fee (USD/year) | Tuition Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | Cambridge, United States | $66,033 | ?56.7L |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, United States | $70,051 | ?60.15L |
| 3 | Stanford University | Stanford, United States | $47,249 | ?40.57L |
| 5 | University of Chicago | Chicago, United States | $81,392 | ?69.89L |
| 7 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, United States | $14,651 | ?12.58L |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, United States | $63,904 | ?54.87L |
| 10 | Yale University | New Haven, United States | $69,017 | ?59.26L |
| 11 | New York University (NYU) | New York City, United States | $57,280 | ?49.19L |
| =12 | Columbia University | New York City, United States | $83,519 | ?71.72L |
| =14 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, United States | $53,069 | ?45.57L |
| 25 | Northwestern University | Evanston, United States | $91,424 | ?78.51L |
| 26 | Princeton University | Princeton, United States | $65,210 | ?56L |
| 30 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin, United States | $53,303 | ?45.77L |
| 31 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, United States | $83,351 | ?71.57L |
| =32 | Cornell University | Ithaca, United States | $51,953 | ?44.61L |
Top Finance Colleges in USA for MBA
Here are the top universities for finance in USA offering MBA programs with a finance specialization. The list includes average annual tuition fees for international students, converted to INR for easy reference:
| University | Location | Tuition Fee (USD/year) | Tuition Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT – Sloan School of Management | Cambridge, MA | $89,000 | ?76.42L |
| Harvard Business School | Cambridge, MA | $76,410 | ?65.61L |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | Stanford, CA | $27,485 | ?23.6L |
| Yale School of Management | New Haven, CT | $69,900 | ?60.02L |
| University of Chicago – Booth School | Chicago, IL | $84,198 | ?72.3L |
| UPenn – Wharton School | Philadelphia, PA | $87,970 | ?75.54L |
| UCLA – Anderson School of Management | Los Angeles, CA | $36,297 | ?31.17L |
| Cornell University – Johnson School | Ithaca, NY | $83,106 | ?71.36L |
| University of Michigan – Ross | Ann Arbor, MI | $106,550 | ?91.49L |
| Duke University – Fuqua | Durham, NC | $77,925 | ?66.91L |
| Northwestern University – Kellogg | Evanston, IL | $115,936 | ?99.55L |
| UC San Diego – Rady School | San Diego, CA | $67,672 | ?58.11L |
| University of Wisconsin – Madison | Madison, WI | $51,413 | ?44.15L |
| UNC Chapel Hill – Kenan-Flagler | Chapel Hill, NC | $20,652 | ?17.73L |
| University of Maryland – College Park | College Park, MD | $25,774 | ?22.13L |
Also Read: MBA in Finance in the USA
Top Finance Colleges in USA for MS
The following list highlights the best universities in USA for MS in Finance, based on tuition cost, location, and program duration. These programs are highly selective and well-regarded globally for quantitative finance, financial engineering, and applied finance.
| University | Location | Tuition Fee (USD/year) | Tuition Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | $86,776 | ?74.51L |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $88,000 | ?75.57L |
| UCLA | Los Angeles, CA | $69,840 | ?59.97L |
| Columbia University | New York City, NY | $88,632 | ?76.11L |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $60,152 | ?51.65L |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | $69,000 | ?59.25L |
| New York University (NYU) | New York City, NY | $56,462 | ?48.48L |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA | $41,352 | ?35.51L |
| University of Illinois–Urbana | Urbana, IL | $52,724 | ?45.27L |
| University of Texas–Austin | Austin, TX | $55,500 | ?47.66L |
These top universities for MS in finance in USA are ideal for students aiming for careers in investment banking, financial analytics, fintech, and quantitative trading. Tuition fees range between ?35.5L to ?76L per year, with course durations typically between 10 to 24 months.
Explore: MS in Finance in USA
Top Finance Colleges in USA for PhD
The following are the top universities for finance PhD programs in the USA, known for strong academic research, faculty expertise, and placement records in academia and high-level industry roles.
| University | Location | Tuition Fee (USD/year) | Tuition Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | $66,033 | ?56.7L |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, MA | $70,051 | ?60.15L |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | $47,249 | ?40.57L |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $81,392 | ?69.89L |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, CA | $14,651 | ?12.58L |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | $63,904 | ?54.87L |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | $69,017 | ?59.26L |
| New York University (NYU) | New York City, NY | $57,280 | ?49.19L |
| Columbia University | New York City, NY | $83,519 | ?71.72L |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, CA | $53,069 | ?45.57L |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $91,424 | ?78.51L |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | $65,210 | ?56L |
| University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | $53,303 | ?45.77L |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $83,351 | ?71.57L |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | $51,953 | ?44.61L |
Most of these best finance universities in USA offer full funding for PhD students, including tuition waiver and stipend. However, listed here are the official tuition rates before funding is applied.
Read More: Best PHD in Finance Colleges & Universities in USA in 2025
Top Finance Colleges in USA for BA/BS
These are some of the best universities in USA for a bachelor's in finance, known for their strong undergrad programs, career placement, and industry partnerships.
| University | Location | Tuition Fee (USD/year) | Tuition Fee (INR/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | $31,104 | ?26.71L |
| Villanova University | Villanova, PA | $63,806 | ?54.79L |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | $57,152 | ?49.08L |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | $53,392 | ?45.85L |
| University of St. Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $50,788 | ?43.61L |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO | $43,366 | ?37.24L |
| Concordia College | Moorhead, MN | $30,400 | ?26.1L |
| University of Mount Union | Alliance, OH | $30,400 | ?26.1L |
| Murray State University | Murray, KY | $14,058 | ?12.07L |
| Southern Arkansas University | Magnolia, AR | $15,010 | ?12.89L |
These programs typically last 4 years and offer majors such as Finance, Financial Mathematics, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Business Administration with a finance concentration.
Also Read: Best Bachelor in Finance Colleges & Universities in USA in 2025
Top Universities for Finance in USA Admissions Requirements
Admission to top finance programs in the USA is highly competitive, with most universities requiring a strong academic background, standardized test scores, and English proficiency. Here's a snapshot of the key requirements across leading institutions:
| University | Top Program | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | M.Fin | GMAT 700 recommended; 18-month duration; English proficiency required |
| Harvard University | MBA Finance | Duolingo 145, IELTS 7.5, PTE 75; 2 years |
| Princeton University | M.Fin | TOEFL 108 or Duolingo 125; 2 years; no GRE/GMAT required |
| Stanford University | MBA Finance | GMAT 730; TOEFL 100 or PTE 68; 2 years |
| UC Berkeley | M.Eng Financial Engineering | IELTS 7 or Duolingo 125; 1 year; no GMAT/GRE required |
| Yale University | MBA Finance | GRE 322; IELTS 7 or PTE 70; 2 years |
| University of Chicago | MBA Finance | GMAT 600; TOEFL 100 or PTE 70; 2 years |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | MBA Finance | TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 135; 2 years; no test required |
| Johns Hopkins University | MS Finance | TOEFL 100, Duolingo 130 or PTE 68; 1 year; no GMAT/GRE |
| UCLA | MS Financial Engineering | GMAT 670; IELTS 7.0; 15-month program |
| Columbia University | MS Financial Engineering | TOEFL 99 or Duolingo 130; 1-year duration; no GMAT required |
| Cornell University | MBA Finance | IELTS 7.0 required; 1-year program; test optional |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | MS Mathematics – Quant Finance | IELTS 7.0; 18 months; GRE recommended |
| Northwestern University | MBA Finance | GMAT 700; IELTS 7.0; 2-year duration |
| New York University (NYU) | MS Financial Engineering | TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 135; 2 years; test optional |
| University of Texas at Austin | MS Finance | GRE 312; IELTS 6.5; 10-month program |
A finance degree from a top U.S. university offers global recognition, strong job prospects, and access to high-paying roles across the financial sector, making it a smart choice for aspiring professionals.
FAQs
Ques: Which are the top universities for finance in USA?
Ans: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) are among the top universities for finance in USA as per QS World University Rankings 2025.
Ques: What is the tuition fee for finance programs in top U.S. universities?
Ans: Tuition ranges from $14,651 (?12.58L) at UC Berkeley to $91,424 (?78.51L) at Northwestern University, depending on the university and program.
Ques: What are the best universities in USA for MS in Finance?
Ans: MIT, Princeton, NYU, Columbia, and the University of Michigan are among the best universities in USA for MS in Finance, offering STEM-designated programs with high placement rates.
Ques: Do top universities for MS in Finance in USA require GMAT or GRE?
Ans: Many top MS in Finance programs like those at MIT and NYU have made GMAT/GRE optional, though a strong score can still boost your application.
Ques: Is work experience required for MS in Finance in USA?
Ans: No, most MS in Finance programs do not require work experience, unlike MBA programs, which typically require 2–5 years of experience.
Ques: Are scholarships available at the best finance universities in USA?
Ans: Yes, international students can apply for need-based and merit-based scholarships at top finance universities such as Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and NYU.
Ques: What is the typical duration of MS in Finance programs in the USA?
Ans: MS in Finance programs generally last 10–18 months, while full-time MBA programs with a finance specialization typically span 2 years.
Ques: What are the accepted English proficiency tests for finance programs in USA?
Ans: Most universities accept TOEFL (90–110), IELTS (6.5–7.5), and Duolingo English Test (125–145), depending on the program.
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