What's the purpose of MS programs?

I really don't see much use for them other than by people who went to lower tier schools who can get into better MS finance programs to leap frog up into better jobs and for people with non-finance backgrounds to get into finance. That's what it seems like to me. Am I wrong?

6 Comments
 
StenoAm I wrong?

Nope.

EDIT:

I guess there are some academics who actually like that stuff. But like you said, it's mainly a fix for a problem.

in it 2 win it
 
FSC
StenoAm I wrong?

Nope.

EDIT:

I guess there are some academics who actually like that stuff. But like you said, it's mainly a fix for a problem.

What do you mean some academics who actually like that stuff? You mean students on their way to a PhD program or something? (I think most(?) PhD finance programs require 30 hours of graduate school)

 
Steno
FSC
StenoAm I wrong?

Nope.

EDIT:

I guess there are some academics who actually like that stuff. But like you said, it's mainly a fix for a problem.

What do you mean some academics who actually like that stuff? You mean students on their way to a PhD program or something? (I think most(?) PhD finance programs require 30 hours of graduate school)

Yup. Either you're in it to get out and get a job or you're there because you're doing a PhD/have nothing better to do. Those people exist.

in it 2 win it
 
FSC
Steno
FSC
StenoAm I wrong?

Nope.

EDIT:

I guess there are some academics who actually like that stuff. But like you said, it's mainly a fix for a problem.

What do you mean some academics who actually like that stuff? You mean students on their way to a PhD program or something? (I think most(?) PhD finance programs require 30 hours of graduate school)

Yup. Either you're in it to get out and get a job or you're there because you're doing a PhD/have nothing better to do. Those people exist.

Haha. I may be one of those people. I'd like to get some actual work experience under my belt first, but academia sounds great. But I'll probably get too used to actually making money to do a phd and won't ever go through with it.

 
Best Response

Uses of an MSF:

1) Rebrand - mini MBA 2) Further Education - Some people might have had a non finance UG or a non business UG. Some might just want a graduate degree. 3) MBA substitute. One year in length, graduate degree. Outside of banking the degree can be a substitute. 4) Another year in school. Network, intern, better GPA. 5) Switch careers. Maybe you work in F500 for a year or two and want another shot at banking. 6) PhD. Good way to test the water out before going into a program. 7) CFA-lite. One year, classroom study. Not as in depth, but beneficial and based off the CFA in many instances.

 

Quis ducimus dolorem debitis sequi fugiat eligendi non voluptatem. Velit et saepe ut dicta. In accusantium libero consectetur temporibus tempora consequatur quos. Nam est voluptatem aliquam et odio quos.

Velit magnam accusantium et voluptatibus quasi omnis fuga. A velit odio magni fuga corrupti. Earum consequatur quam nam eos dolorem et in. Iste voluptatum nisi sed magnam exercitationem ea quia. Sit tenetur debitis aliquam.

Ab ratione velit laboriosam et eaque quisquam ut. Nemo id eaque itaque natus blanditiis illo. Sed odio perspiciatis voluptates.

Nulla expedita ad rerum odio. Magnam consequatur repellat repudiandae sint odit. Animi assumenda accusantium aut consequuntur vitae unde. Animi velit placeat quisquam eum consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”