MSF Rankings 2026
Hi all, I am a senior at a semi-target and, due to the weakness in the labor market, I am considering an MSF.
I’ve seen some discussion around the various MSF programs, but was wondering if I could get updated rankings/feedback (or advice) from alums.
Apologies for the repetitive nature of this post but thanks in advance!
Vandy and GTown
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Made the rankings post last year as well as completed an MSF program myself. Unless you are going to Vandy or Georgetown, I would pick the most “prestigious” school ie U Chicago or Yale to leverage the brand to network your way into a high finance role.
Some decent programs you can also look into are Notre Dame, Villanova, and Emory. They still don’t guarantee a seat in banking but can be a good option if u can’t get into the schools mentioned above.
Overall, it will all depend on your resume and networking to land an offer; not the program’s ability to place you. If you think you can land an investment banking adjacent role, I would take that now, work two years and get into an MBA at a T20 school.
But that is my opinion and would definitely get a variety of perspectives on this.
Thank you very much for the thoughtful response here!
which program did you go to and could you share what you liked/disliked about it? what roles did people get from it?
I'll also add UT Austin MSF and UVA MS Commerce (McIntire) which are for people who were non-business majors
I can't say which exact school, but think weak T20 school. I think most of the positives really came from being surrounded by higher caliber students both on the undergraduate and MBA levels. Since I came from a no name school, being surrounded by highly talented and driven people was something that rubs off on you. Essentially iron sharpens iron.
What I disliked is the main issue with all MSF programs is that there is no clear recruiting pipeline/structure. You are essentially on your own and the alumni base is not as helpful as one might think in networking. The priority for the school was to place the undergraduates and MBAs, and whatever positions were unfilled would be open to MSFs. So just overall the MSFs are a last priority. Ultimately, I ended up landing a role through my own connection outside of my alma mater and think I could have easily just gone to a school that wouldve given a full-ride and ended up in the same role as I am in now. Apart from the kids that already had IB SAs who ended up going FT to BB/EBs, most kids went into FP&A, valuations, wealth, and ops - so pretty depressing.
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Since the degree is quite niche it depends on your desired role & location.
I'm in the same position as you and just applying to reputable schools in the cities/regions I want to work in. No MSF has its own recruitment pipeline, and few have career resources specific to MSF.
Some programs that haven't been mentioned: USC Marshall, Rochester Simon, BU Questrom, Tulane MSF or MME (for energy finance), Cornell MPS AEM, IU Kelley
Also Columbia's MSFE or MAFN, or IEOR masters. NYU MSQE, MSQF.
For RE: UW Madison, Columbia, and NYU MSRE(D) have deep connections.
Duke Fuqua MMS, Northwestern Kellogg MMS - not finance-specific but people use the name to get roles
Someone will prob mention Princeton, MIT, Chicago, Yale but they are more QuantNet than WSO (require demonstrated quantitative/programming ability)
i'm in the program and it's nice so far. but you have to be early and proactive with networking and recruiting.
which program are you in?
gtown
i replied to the wrong person/post
deleted
idk but you should absolutely ask admissions this question. GU MSF staff is very responsive and has admissions office hours every week.
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