2022 QuantNet Ranking of Best Financial Engineering Programs

The 2022 QuantNet MFE ranking is the most authoritative and comprehensive ranking of best Financial Engineering (MFE), Mathematical Finance programs in the continental USA.

The QuantNet ranking of Financial Engineering, Mathematical, and Quantitative Finance master's programs in the US offers detailed insights into placement and admission statistics from the nation's top programs. It serves as the ultimate guide for prospective applicants, helping them choose and enroll in the best master’s programs in quantitative finance.

Baruch College - Master in Financial Engineering

Baruch College

New York, NY 10010 Master in Financial Engineering
1
Total Score
100
Peer Score
4.1
The Baruch College's Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program is offered by the Math Department under the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. This three-semester program starts in the Fall semester. Application Deadline: Nov 1 (round 1), Dec 1 (round 2), Jan 15 (round 3), Mar 15 (round 4)

The true number one MFE program in the world!
The Baruch MFE program was instrumental in helping me pivot into my quant finance career. The highly-engaged alumni network provided invaluable insights into the quant landscape, complemented by the program's long-standing relationships with many leading firms in the... (more)
- Class of 2025
4.93 star(s) 30 reviews
Tuition
$42,395
Enrollment
24 FT
Acceptance rate
8.8%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
100%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$126,983
Avg total
University of California, Berkeley - Master of Financial Engineering

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA 94720 Master of Financial Engineering
2
Total Score
95
Peer Score
4.0
The UC Berkeley Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program is offered by the Berkeley Haas School of Business. Established in 2000, this one-year program commences each spring. Application Deadline: Jan 16 (round 1), Apr 1 (round 2), Jun 5 (round 3), Oct 1 (round 4)

Getting Better
It is intense, fast-paced, and rewards those who come prepared. Internship and Recruiting Landscape: Because the program starts in spring, the traditional fall internship cycle overlaps with coursework, which can limit opportunities. However, the summer internship path... (more)
- Class of 2026
4.16 star(s) 43 reviews
Tuition
$76,610
Enrollment
79 FT, 3 PT
Acceptance rate
14.6%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
84%
After 3 months
99%
Compensation
Base
$125,821
Avg total
Carnegie Mellon University - MS in Computational Finance

Carnegie Mellon University

New York, NY 10005 | Pittsburgh, PA 15213 MS in Computational Finance
3
Total Score
94
Peer Score
4.3
The Carnegie Mellon University's Master of Science in Computational Finance (MSCF) is a 16-month financial engineering degree developed through the joint venture of Department of Mathematical Sciences, Department of Statistics and Data Science, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and the Tepper School of Business. Application Deadline: Dec 1 (round 1), Mar 1 (round 2)

MSCF: The most well-rounded quant program
I came to the program with no full time working experience and academical (but less practical) knowledge mainly in Math and Econ. This program helped me become technically ready for most quant jobs and taught me how to communicate effectively. Here are reasons I think... (more)
- Class of 2026
4.70 star(s) 54 reviews
Tuition
$90,189
Enrollment
95 FT
Acceptance rate
17.0%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
68%
After 3 months
97%
Compensation
Base
$107,821
Avg total
Princeton University - Master in Finance

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ 08544 Master in Finance
4
Total Score
93
Peer Score
3.8
The Princeton University Master in Finance (MFin) program is offered by the Bendheim Center for Finance. Established in 1999, this two-year program begins each fall. Application Deadline: Dec 15

Great university and program
I’ll divide this review into two parts — the recruitment side (career services) and the academic environment. Recruitment Side: The career services team does a solid job. They bring a lot of companies to campus throughout the year, and even outside the MFin program... (more)
- Class of 2026
4.88 star(s) 8 reviews
Tuition
$112,020
Enrollment
32 FT
Acceptance rate
6.2%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
100%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$121,000
Avg total
Columbia University - Masters in Financial Engineering

Columbia University

5
Total Score
92
Peer Score
3.8
Launched in 2002, Columbia University's Master in Financial Engineering (MFE) program is offered by the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research Department under The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. This one-year, full-time program, starts in the fall semester. Application Deadline: Jan 15

  • Anonymous
  • 4.00 star(s)
Good Program, some things could be better
I will structure this review into the following categories: students, classroom instruction, program resources, and career training. Students: Given that the program has a 10% acceptance rate, the students that are accepted are necessarily the best of the best. Many... (more)
- Class of 2024
3.31 star(s) 16 reviews
Tuition
$81,792
Enrollment
133 FT
Acceptance rate
12.0%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
87%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$108,128
Avg total
Columbia University - MA in Mathematics of Finance (MAFN)

Columbia University

6
Total Score
85
Peer Score
3.3
The Master of Arts in Mathematical Finance (MAFN) program is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Department of Statistics at Columbia University. The program can be completed in two or three semesters for full-time students. Application Deadline: May 1

  • Anonymous
  • 5.00 star(s)
Outstanding - the best of the best.
Faculty and colleagues are second to none. Period. Solid and rigorous mathematics. Not for the timid. Students from all over the globe. Visiting professors are top-flight. Albert Shiryaev told stories of Kolmogorov. Derman, Karatzas, Protter, Smirnov, etc. are... (more)
- Class of 2004
4.65 star(s) 17 reviews
Tuition
$86,788
Enrollment
122 FT, 3 PT
Acceptance rate
18.8%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
76%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$100,537
Avg total
New York University - MS in Mathematics in Finance

New York University

New York, NY 10012 MS in Mathematics in Finance
7
Total Score
84
Peer Score
3.9
The New York University's MS in Mathematics in Finance program is offered by NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. This three-semester program starts in the Fall semester. Application Deadline: Feb 8

Time consuming.
I chose NYU’s MSFM program over Columbia’s MAFN, now I feel some regret I come from a math and econ background, I had prepared myself thoroughly before entering the program, stochastic calculus, machine learning, regression analysis, statistics, programming, CTA... (more)
- Class of 2026
4.42 star(s) 12 reviews
Tuition
$75,957
Enrollment
49 FT, 4 PT
Acceptance rate
17.4%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
54%
After 3 months
95%
Compensation
Base
$100,000
Avg total
NYU Tandon School of Engineering - MS in Financial Engineering

NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Brooklyn, NY 11201 MS in Financial Engineering
7
Total Score
84
Peer Score
3.5
The Master of Science in Financial Engieering (MSFE) program is offered by the Financial Risk Engineering (FRE) department of NYU Tandon School of Engineering. This 4-semester program starts in mid-August with the Pre-program bootcamp prior to the Fall semester. Application Deadline: Feb 15

Excellent Career Support
NYU FRE has amazing career support and a solid academic foundation. From day one, we had access to workshops, resume reviews, and mock interviews that really helped me prepare for the job market. The courses are practical, and professors bring valuable real-world... (more)
- Class of 2025
3.50 star(s) 34 reviews
Tuition
$77,018
Enrollment
131 FT, 1 PT
Acceptance rate
16.0%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
76%
After 3 months
92%
Compensation
Base
$90,184
Avg total
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Master of Finance

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA 02139 Master of Finance
9
Total Score
81
Peer Score
3.2
Established in 2008, the MIT Master in Finance (MFin) program is a 18-month, full-time program starting in the summer, offered by the Sloan School of Management. Application Deadline: Jan 5

Pre-experience Business School
To give a summary of the program's main features and bugs: Good: - Highly flexible. You can truly do whatever you want with this degree -- whether you want it to be completely quant focused, or basically an MBA. - Extremely sharp cohort. Many of your classmates will... (more)
- Class of 2026
3.81 star(s) 27 reviews
Tuition
$113,700
Enrollment
138 FT
Acceptance rate
9.0%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
79%
After 3 months
99%
Compensation
Base
$92,920
Cornell University - Master in Financial Engineering

Cornell University

10
Total Score
80
Peer Score
3.6
The Cornell University's Master in Financial Engineering program is offered by School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE) under Cornell Engineering. Established in 2006, this three-semester program starts in the Fall semester in Ithaca, upstate NY with the last semester in New York City. Application Deadline: Dec 1

  • Anonymous
  • 3.00 star(s)
A Costly Investment with Mixed Returns: Weighing the Real Value of the Program
Pursuing this degree is a significant investment—both financially and in terms of time. Given the high cost, I strongly recommend that anyone considering this program be extremely diligent and clear about their goals before enrolling. Some classes genuinely provide the... (more)
- Class of 2024
4.44 star(s) 9 reviews
Tuition
$90,439
Enrollment
63 FT
Acceptance rate
20.0%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
48%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$99,250
Avg total
University of Chicago - MS in Financial Mathematics

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL 60637 MS in Financial Mathematics
10
Total Score
80
Peer Score
3.5
The University of Chicago's Master in Financial Mathematics (MSFM) program is offered by the Department of Mathematics under the Physical Sciences Division. Launched in 1996, this three-semester program starts each Fall semester. Full-time, part-time in person and online programs are available. Application Deadline: Jan 8 (round 1), Mar 26 (round 2)

  • Anonymous
  • 5.00 star(s)
A Rigorous Program at the Intersection of Finance, Data, and Industry
The program is both rigorous and flexible, offering cross-listed courses from the Economics Department and Booth School of Business. The diverse cohort—including mature students—adds depth to discussions, while capstone projects with industry partners provide real-world... (more)
- Class of 2022
4.71 star(s) 52 reviews
Tuition
$86,428
Enrollment
141 FT, 5 PT
Acceptance rate
22.5%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
76%
After 3 months
90%
Compensation
Base
$99,419
Avg total
University of California, Los Angeles - Master of Financial Engineering

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA 90095 Master of Financial Engineering
12
Total Score
79
Peer Score
3.3
Launched in 2009, the UCLA Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program at the Anderson School of Management is a comprehensive 15-months, quarter-based full-time program starting each fall. Application Deadline: Dec 31 (round 1), Mar 1 (round 2), Apr 30 (round 3)

Great school, great people, don't come here though
Graduating soon but I’m going to try to give an in-depth and honest review of the program for the incoming applicants. I am generally happy with my own outcome at UCLA and I emphasize this to point out my review is not an expression of personal frustration. I am... (more)
- Class of 2025
4.26 star(s) 46 reviews
Tuition
$81,216
Enrollment
81 FT
Acceptance rate
34.2%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
74%
After 3 months
95%
Compensation
Base
$100,396
Avg total
North Carolina State University - Master in Financial Mathematics

North Carolina State University

13
Total Score
78
Peer Score
2.3
The North Carolina State University (NCSU) Master of Financial Mathematics (MFM) program is offered by the Department of Mathematics in the College of Sciences. Established in 2003, this three-semester program begins each fall. Application Deadline: Jul 15 (Spring), Mar 1 (Fall)

NCSU Master of Financial Mathematics
When entering a financial engineering or mathematics program, many students aspire to become quantitative researchers or traders. While this is a reasonable goal, I've learned it's important to understand what each program specifically prepares you for. NCSU's MFM... (more)
- Class of 2025
4.46 star(s) 28 reviews
Tuition
$59,534
Enrollment
37 FT
Acceptance rate
18.6%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
60%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$107,727
Avg total
University of Washington - MS Computational Finance & Risk Management

University of Washington

15
Total Score
76
Peer Score
3.1
The Master of Computational Finance and Risk Management (CFRM) program is a degree offered in the University of Washington’s Department of Applied Mathematics. Application Deadline: Jan 30

Great Program, Strongly Recommend
I am an MS graduate (2022 cohort) from the Computational Finance and Risk Management (CFRM) program at the University of Washington (UW). Before coming to UW, I received a dual degree in BS Mathematics and BA Economics. I was admitted to UW CFRM with a merit-based... (more)
- Class of 2023
4.95 star(s) 40 reviews
Tuition
$46,500
Enrollment
43 FT, 15 PT
Acceptance rate
30.8%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
76%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$88,010
Avg total
Rutgers University - Master of Quantitative Finance

Rutgers University

16
Total Score
70
Peer Score
2.9
The Rutgers Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF) program was founded in 2001 and is housed in Rutgers Business School. The program is three-semester and starts in fall semester. Application Deadline: Nov 1 (Spring), May 15 (Fall)

On the strength of Rutgers MQF - Alumni Review
When looking at ratings and reviews of Quant programs on this site, you need to make sure to have the context behind the numbers in mind. Every program is designed to cater to a different incoming profile, so simply going off of the rating number will not give you a very... (more)
- Class of 2023
4.08 star(s) 13 reviews
Tuition
$64,900
Enrollment
80 FT
Acceptance rate
46.8%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
71%
After 3 months
93%
Compensation
Base
$93,056
Avg total
University of Minnesota - Master of Financial Mathematics

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN 55455 Master of Financial Mathematics
17
Total Score
64
Peer Score
2.7
The program is offered by Minnesota Center for Financial and Actuarial Mathematics, a specialized center for quantitive finance within the School of Mathematics. Application Deadline: Feb 1 (round 1), Mar 1 (round 2)

Prepared Me Well for the Real World of Quant Finance
One of the greatest strengths of the MFM program is the fact that many courses are taught by seasoned adjunct instructors who are active professionals in the quant finance industry. This ensured that what we learned was not only theoretically sound but also aligned with... (more)
- Class of 2024
4.71 star(s) 42 reviews
Tuition
$47,775
Enrollment
17 FT, 4 PT
Acceptance rate
86.9%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
75%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Base
$75,000
Avg total
Boston University - MS in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology

Boston University

18
Total Score
60
Peer Score
3.0
The three-semester program is offered by Boston University's Questrom School of Business. Application Deadline: Oct 27 (round 1), Jan 12 (round 2), Feb 17 (round 3), Apr 7 (round 4)

A Great Math Finance Program
The program offers a well-balanced curriculum that includes both rigorous classical theories and practical applications. Faculty members come from both academic and industry backgrounds, so students can build a strong theoretical foundation and also get valuable... (more)
- Class of 2022
3.73 star(s) 15 reviews
Tuition
$93,171
Enrollment
108 FT
Acceptance rate
43.8%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
38%
After 3 months
73%
Compensation
Base
$86,640
Avg total
Stony Brook University - Master in Quantitative Finance

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794 Master in Quantitative Finance
19
Total Score
58
Peer Score
2.4
Application Deadline: Dec 1

Stony Brook Quantitative Finance MS Review
When reviewing a university program, I like to focus on three main points: quality of education, career opportunities, and cost. 1) Education: This is probably where the program is at its best. Most of the coursework you will see at Stony Brook is well chosen. The... (more)
- Class of 2022
4.50 star(s) 2 reviews
Tuition
$44,342
Enrollment
22 FT, 1 PT
Acceptance rate
73.2%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
27%
After 3 months
100%
Compensation
Avg total
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign - Master of Financial Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

20
Total Score
55
Peer Score
2.7
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) offers a Master of Science in Financial Engineering (MSFE) program through its Gies College of Business in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics. Application Deadline: Apr 15

2025 review of UIUC MFE program
I am one of the Class of 2025. This is an overall a good program. The courses are all good, covering from risk, quant research, to derivatives pricing(structure notes). If you are interested in quant development, you can also find a place here. The director is really... (more)
- Class of 2025
4.59 star(s) 39 reviews
Tuition
$78,285
Enrollment
32 FT
Acceptance rate
66.5%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
25%
After 3 months
84%
Compensation
Base
$80,000
Stevens Institute of Technology - Master in Financial Engineering

Stevens Institute of Technology

21
Total Score
54
Peer Score
2.4
The Master in Financial Engineering (MFE) program is offered by Stevens School of Business. The three-semester program starts each fall semester. Application Deadline: Nov 1 (Spring), Apr 15 (Fall)

Great Experience as a Financial Technology and Analytics Student
As a Financial Technology and Analytics student, I have found the Stevens FTA (Financial Engineering Stream) program to be both rigorous and rewarding. The curriculum has a strong balance of finance, programming, and applied analytics, which has allowed me to build a... (more)
- Class of 2025
4.51 star(s) 57 reviews
Tuition
$50,210
Enrollment
42 FT, 4 PT
Acceptance rate
92.4%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
33%
After 3 months
90%
Compensation
Base
$79,109
Avg total
Lehigh University - MS in Financial Engineering

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA 18015 MS in Financial Engineering
22
Total Score
53
Peer Score
2.0
Application Deadline: Nov 15 (Spring), Oct 15 (round 1), Jan 15 (round 2), Apr 1 (round 3), May 15 (round 4)

Lehigh University's MS in Financial Engineering program provides a rigorous, integrated education in finance, mathematics, and computational methods that prepares students for successful careers in quantitative finance, risk management, and fintech, and I highly recommend it.
The MS in Financial Engineering program at Lehigh University is a rigorous and well-structured program that effectively combines finance, mathematics, and computational methods to prepare students for careers in quantitative finance, risk management, and financial... (more)
- Class of 2026
5.00 star(s) 22 reviews
Tuition
$50,210
Enrollment
13 FT
Acceptance rate
66.7%
Employment Rate
At Graduation
33%
After 3 months
90%
Compensation
Base
$61,071
Avg total
Claremont Graduate University - MS in Financial Engineering

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, CA 91711 MS in Financial Engineering
NR
Peer Score
2.3
Application Deadline: Jul 5

CGU MSFE is very Flexible
I'll be done with my coursework for the MSFE program after Summer 2025. I thought I would share my pros and cons about the program. Pros: - Smaller class size One of the main reasons I leaned toward CGU is the low student-faculty ratio. In all the classes I took, I... (more)
- Class of 2025
3.50 star(s) 12 reviews
Tuition
$82,467
Enrollment
9 FT
Acceptance rate
56.5%
Employment Rate
At Graduation
38%
After 3 months
63%
Compensation
Avg total
Johns Hopkins University - Financial Mathematics MSE

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD 21218 Financial Mathematics MSE
NR
Peer Score
2.7
The Financial Mathematics program is offered by Johns Hopskins Whiting School of Engineering under their Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Application Deadline: Dec 15

The program is underrated
I have been enrolled for one month, and my study experience is very good. I believe this program is underrated. The lecturers are excellent, and the courses include a lot of math, which is a great complement to the courses I took during my undergraduate studies. I've... (more)
- Class of 2027
4.60 star(s) 10 reviews
Tuition
$89,373
Enrollment
58 FT
Acceptance rate
38.4%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
20%
After 3 months
73%
Compensation
Base
$91,100
Avg total
~ Rutgers University - MS in Mathematical Finance

The program is strong. Students are expected to take two courses each of stochastic calculus, numerical analysis, and statistics (regression and time series analysis). These courses are very rigorous. But it is not all theory. Many elective courses are taught by current... (more)
4.13 star(s) 8 reviews
Tuition
$56,239
Enrollment
10 FT, 1 PT
Acceptance rate
71.8%
Employment Rate
Compensation
University of North Carolina at Charlotte - MS in Mathematical Finance
Application Deadline: Oct 1 (Spring), Mar 1 (Fall)

I just finished my degree here with a computational finance concentration and it wasn't what I expected. To be honest if you are really interested then you can learn a lot and go for a math or math finance phd easily. This is what the program is meant for. My intentions... (more)
4.64 star(s) 11 reviews
Tuition
$41,720
Enrollment
36 FT
Acceptance rate
66.1%
Undergrad GPA
Employment Rate
At Graduation
62%
After 3 months
81%
Compensation
Base
$80,909
Avg total
2022 Rankings Methodology
  • Published
    1/27/14
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