Is the UIUC MSF program worth it?

I got accepted into the UIUC MSF program and I'm trying to decide whether to go or not. I am not an international student, but it is a big move for me since I don't currently live in the states.

I've heard a lot mixed opinions regarding this program. Some say it's worth it, others say the placement isn't that great. I think the individual is really the one who lands the job in the end and the school can only help so much (by attracting major companies to begin with), but still, is it worth the huge price tag?

Any advice from how MSF programs in general are perceived by recruiters from major banks and companies? Is it overkill or does a masters in finance these days help?

I am interested in risk management or corporate finance.

Thanks!

15 Comments
 

Hmmm, as a UIUC student, I have run into a few kids in the MSF program. One person that I talked to said is was intense ... its an abbreviated program (18 months?) if I remember correctly, and seems to be ALL QUANT. Essentially, it is going to be math using finance-related examples :)

What is the cost of the program, and what is its ranking nationwide?

 
LittleBankerHmmm, as a UIUC student, I have run into a few kids in the MSF program. One person that I talked to said is was intense ... its an abbreviated program (18 months?) if I remember correctly, and seems to be ALL QUANT. Essentially, it is going to be math using finance-related examples :)

What is the cost of the program, and what is its ranking nationwide?

The cost is around 45K and its rank nationwide is 21 for the finance specialty (according to US news...its supposed to be on par with Yale for finance...but of course yale's overall rank is, as everyone knows, much better. There is no actual ranking for MSF programs that I know of.

 

Leggo is right. UIUC is accy-land... only in the past few years have we had people go into banking--- we have fewer than 10 going full time after graduation, and I am one of about a dozen who landed internships for the summer. Considering there are about 600-700 people in each one of our classes in the college of business (that means we have a couple hundred getting fin degrees each year) it is a very small number of us who go into banking. People here get wet whenever E&Y, KPMG etc gets whispered, and I stay up nights wondering "why"?

 

We were very lucky this year to have recruitment from BAML, Citi, Goldman, Lazard, JP, DB, Macquarie (all Chicago offices, Front Office) ... but I think this is the first time it has looked that good. 5 years ago, most of those firms would not have touched us with an MD's pimp cane.

 
Best Response
LittleBankerWe were very lucky this year to have recruitment from BAML, Citi, Goldman, Lazard, JP, DB, Macquarie (all Chicago offices, Front Office) ... but I think this is the first time it has looked that good. 5 years ago, most of those firms would not have touched us with an MD's pimp cane.

Do any of the NYC offices of BB firms recruit at UIUC?

 

Gotcha. yeah, UIUC is known for accy, so you may want to avoid if you get a comparable offer (hate to do this to my alma mater, but whatever). Otherwise, it seems like a solid program.

 

JJC:

Not that I am aware of. Some people landed NYC and Hong Kong jobs through networking and just being rockstars, however. I don't think anyone is doing west coast or london.

 

Quaerat soluta sequi et aliquam. Quis omnis sint itaque iure quo. Cumque aliquam corrupti dolor tempore quo facere error. Quo molestiae nesciunt et voluptatem odio culpa ut.

Tempora tenetur reiciendis aut iusto magni vel. Eos nihil quibusdam rerum quos ex. Qui iure id pariatur ea nulla. Enim doloremque voluptatum quia et. Aut dolores et et eveniet ipsum.

Laborum aut non doloribus atque quia et omnis. Nihil unde sed laudantium tempora occaecati. Magnam perferendis atque voluptatem quaerat. Odit ut sequi voluptas voluptate eveniet optio debitis qui. In possimus recusandae repellendus. Esse adipisci et sit modi dolorem veritatis laboriosam. Ut aperiam minima delectus aut consectetur.

Cupiditate et et et animi facere id. Enim est aut quaerat vero minima perspiciatis animi. Nisi consequuntur quas earum assumenda dolor nesciunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”