Finance can be daunting, but if you’re looking for a guide to the best MBAs to launch you into a finance career, you’ve come to the right place. Below are the top 10 MBA programs for finance. with information on each school for: Concentration/Specialization/Path, Curriculum, Teaching Style, Experiential Learning Opportunities, Centers and Initiatives, Fellowships, Global Opportunities, and Clubs and Extracurriculars.

1. University of Pennsylvania - Wharton

In addition to its general Finance Major, Wharton also offers a Quantitative Finance Major for students looking for a program that specializes in applying quantitative methods in finance. All Wharton MBA students can apply for the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge with an independent study project in finance. The variety and depth of Wharton’s finance curriculum, combined with their world renown faculty, makes Wharton our top MBA program for finance careers.

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Finance Major, Quantitative Finance Major

Curriculum: 20 month program, 9.5 CU (Core); 4.5 CU (Elective)

Teaching Style: Learning Team model; Cohorts and Clusters

Experiential Learning: Independent study, career treks to U.S. and international companies, Wharton Global Impact Consultants, Work at a Non-Profit Organization, Lead a Student Conference, Wharton Leadership Ventures

Centers and Initiatives: Wharton Financial Institutions Center, Harris Alternative Investments Center, Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research, White Center for Financial Research, Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance

Fellowships: Lipman Fellows (analysis and review of global organizations)

Global Opportunities: Dual-degree program, study abroad, Global Modular Course, Global Immersion Program

Clubs and Extracurriculars:  Finance, FinTech, Investment Management, Private Equity & Venture Capital, Wharton Impact Investing Partners, Wharton Graduate Association Finance

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2. University of Chicago - Booth

Booth’s application-focused curriculum prepares you for the real business world by challenging you to practice making corporate finance and investment decisions. Booth MBA students are also challenged to participate in competitions where they can put their finance expertise to the test, like the MBA Stock Pitch Challenge and Venture Capital Investment Competition. Booth also boasts world-class faculty headlined by Nobel laureates. 

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Concentration in Analytic Finance, Concentration in Finance

Curriculum: Begin with LEAD (required experiential course), choose one course from foundation areas (Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, Statistics), then 11 electives courses

Teaching Style: Debate and discussion in classroom, case method, experiential lab courses, and hands-on projects

Experiential Learning: MBA Stock Pitch Challenge, Venture Capital Investment Competition, Invest for Impact Case Competition, Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge, MBA Impact Investing Networking and Training Competition

Centers and Initiatives: Fama-Miller Center for Research in Finance, Center for Research in Security Prices

Fellowships: Chicago Business Fellows Program, Global Innovator Fellowships

Global Opportunities: Global Lab Courses, Industry Treks, Random Walks, Study Abroad (Full-Quarter or Short-Term)

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Chicago Booth Fintech, Credit Restructuring Distressed Investing and Turnaround Group, Investment Banking Group, Investment Management Group, Private Equity Group

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3. Columbia University

True to their slogan, Columbia is at the very center of business. Located in New York City, Columbia offers access to major finance companies and conferences. Additionally, their research-driven curriculum keeps students up to date on the latest trends in finance. One unique aspect of the Columbia MBA program is the Executives in Residence Program, which is comprised 27 senior executives from the C-Suite of companies in a variety of industries. These executives serve as advisors and mentors for MBA students.

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Career-Focused Path in either Finance, Private Equity, or Value Investing

Curriculum: Core curriculum consists of two full-term courses and eight half-term courses (exemption exams are offered for each of the core classes), in second term, students can take 3 half-term electives and 3 full-term electives

Teaching Style: Cluster System, Learning Teams

Experiential Learning: Advanced Projects and Applied Research in Fintech, Private Equity Program, Program for Financial Studies, Speaker series, Conferences

Centers and Initiatives: Center for Excellence in Accounting and Security Analysis, Center for Pricing and Revenue Management, Heilbrunn Center for Graham & Dodd Investing

Fellowships: Columbia Fellows, Board of Overseers Fellowship, Meyer Feldberg Distinguished Fellowship Program

Global Opportunities: Global Study Tours

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Columbia Fintech & Blockchain, Columbia Student Investment Management Association, Equity Research Club, Investment Banking Club, Private Equity Club, Restructuring and Distressed Investing Group, Venture Capital Club

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4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan

Sloan not only prides itself on its rigorous academics, but also its commitment to real-world experience and networking. All Sloan finance MBA students are encouraged to participate in sponsored seminars, networking opportunities, and social events designed to create a cohort of students. Some examples of these opportunities include New York Banking Day, where students learn firsthand from investment banks in New York City, and also finance treks, which are visits to businesses like Berkshire Hathaway.

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Finance Track

Curriculum: 5 required core courses, 4 optional core electives (Managerial Finance), Sloan Intensive Period

Teaching Style: Cohorts, Action Labs

Experiential Learning: Finance Treks, Action Labs, Independent Activities Period, FinTech Build-a-thon, MIT Sloan Investing Series, MIT Sloan Investment Conference, FinTech Conference

Centers and Initiatives: Golub Center for Finance and Policy

Fellowships: MIT Sloan Fellows MBA Program

Global Opportunities: Global Study Tours

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Finance & Policy Club, FinTech Club, Global Macro Investing Club, Infrastructure and Project Finance Club, Investment Banking Club, Investment Management Club, MIT Impact Investing Initiative, Quantitative Financial Markets Club, Venture Capital and Private Equity Club

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5. Stanford University - Graduate School of Business

Stanford strives to provide students with a diverse business education with a global perspective. Stanford MBA students learn about all aspects of business and are required to complete at least one global experience. Also, Stanford offers several groups for like-minded MBA students to meet and apply their financial knowledge, such as Finance and Investment Club, FinTech Club, and Private Equity Club. The Stanford MBA experience will provide you with all of the tools you need for a successful career in finance.

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Finance Elective

Curriculum: 5 required core courses, 4 optional core electives (Managerial Finance), Sloan Intensive Period

Teaching Style:  Case studies, lectures, small-group seminars, simulations, prototyping, role-playing scenarios, hands-on experience, project-based courses, and multifunctional teams

Experiential Learning: Social Entrepreneurship Program, Stanford GSB Impact Fund

Centers and Initiatives: Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance

Fellowships: Impact Leadership Fellowship

Global Opportunities: Global Experience required, Global Management Immersion Experience, Global Study Trips, Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program, Self-Directed Experiences

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Finance and Investment Club, FinTech Club, Private Equity Club

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6. New York University - Stern

The Stern curriculum focuses on both micro and macro finance issues, and applies economic analysis, accounting, and quantitative methods to real-world financial questions. Located in Manhattan, with a world renowned faculty, Stern provides plenty of opportunities for professional networking. There are also opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real life financial management, like the Michael Price Student Investment Fund, where students manage a fund of over $2 million. 

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Choose up to three specializations: Banking, Corporate Finance, Finance, Financial Instruments and Markets, Financial Systems and Analytics, FinTech, Quantitation Finance OR Dual Degree Program: MS in Mathematics in Finance/MBA

Curriculum: Year one - two required core, choose at least five menu core; Year two - electives and specializations

Teaching Style: Project-based courses, experiential learning, “The Section Experience”

Experiential Learning: Stern Consulting Corps. Tech and the City, Consulting Lab: Branding + Innovation, Endless Frontier Labs, Stern Signature Projects, Strategy with a Social Purpose, Michael Price Student Investment Fund, NYU Impact Investment Fund (NIIF), Rosenwald Global Value Fund, Social Impact Internship Fund (SIIF)

Centers and Initiatives: Glucksman Institute for Research in Securities Markets, Infrastructure Finance Initiative, Salomon Center for the Study of Financial Institutions

Fellowships: Board Fellows Program, Summer Ventures Fellowship (SVF)

Global Opportunities: Doing Business In... (DBI) Program, Global Courses, Study Abroad Semester Exchange Program

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Graduate Finance Association, Stern FinTech Association, Stern Investment Management & Research, Stern Private Equity Club

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7. Harvard Business School

Through Harvard’s case method, learn about finance from real-world examples that help you practice financial decision making. Harvard also allows you to personalize your education, and focuses on your job search during your second year to help you launch into your dream finance career. Additionally, student involvement and leadership are highly valued at Harvard, and there are plenty of opportunities for finance MBA students to join groups like Finance Club, Investment Club, Venture Capital & Private Equity Club, and so many more. 

Concentration/Specialization/Path: 21 Finance Electives

Curriculum: 6 required courses in Term 1, 6 required courses in Term 2; up to 5 courses per semester with 21 Finance electives to choose from

Teaching Style: Case and F.I.E.L.D. method

Experiential Learning: Interpersonal Skills Development Lab, FIELD Global Immersion, Projects (Behavioral Finance & Financial Stability, Private Capital Project)

Centers and Initiatives: Initiatives: Business & Environment, Leadership, Social Enterprise

Fellowships: Canadian Fellowship, Forward Fellowship, Goldsmith Fellowship, Junior Achievement Fellowship, Kaplan Fellowship

Global Opportunities: FIELD Global Immersion

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Black Investment Club, Finance Club, Impact Investing Club, Investment Club, Venture Capital & Private Equity Club, Women in Investing Club

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8. London Business School

London Business School offers a broad business education and global experience to provide students with a diverse perspective in finance. Through experiential opportunities, like LondonCAP, students can apply their financial knowledge and network with real companies. The MBA program also allows you to personalize your education with electives and flexible end dates to ensure that your MBA experience will best prepare you for your dream career in finance.  

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Tailored Core: Finance II, Financial Reporting for Today’s Economy

Curriculum: Tailored core (specific to your area of interest), leadership development

Teaching Style: Study groups (5 or 6 people), structured lectures, case studies, discussions, projects, group work, field investigations, visits, research, and simulations

Experiential Learning: LondonCAP

Centers and Initiatives: AQR Asset Management Institute, Private Equity at LBS

Fellowships: London Business School Fellowship

Global Opportunities: Global exchange programs

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Private Equity & Venture Capital Club, Finance Club, Investment Management Club

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9. Cornell University - Johnson

Johnson’s Corporate Finance Immersion (CFI) program puts students in the shoes of a CFO, with a focus on management and problem-solving. The CFI program prepares students for a variety of career paths, including corporate finance, leadership, and consulting. Cornell also highly values its strong roster of industry-leading corporate partners.

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Corporate Finance Immersion (CFI), Customized Immersion

Curriculum: Core courses focused on accounting, finance, financial policy, and governance; Site visits to global leaders in finance; Weekly practicum

Teaching Style: Immersion experience, site visits, live cases

Experiential Learning: Hands-on consulting capstone project

Centers and Initiatives: Parker Center for Investment Research

Fellowships: Fried Fellowships, Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellowship, Park Leadership Fellows, Forte Fellows Program, ROMBA Fellowship

Global Opportunities: International Study Trips, International Exchange Program, Worldwide Projects, Global Internships, Dual-Degree with Beijing's Tsinghua University of Finance

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Old Ezra Finance Club, General Management Association

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10. University of California - Anderson School of Management

Anderson’s faculty are highly respected for their research, which has influenced real world financial policy and practice. Anderson involves professional and government consultants in the curriculum, and emphasizes social responsibility within finance. Through the Fink Center for Finance, students can also apply for a variety of fellowships to specialize their education, including Investment Banking Fellowship, Kayne Investment Management Fellowship, Brown Private Equity & Alternatives Fellowship, and Master in Financial Engineering Fellowship.

Concentration/Specialization/Path: Choose up to 2 specializations: Corporate Finance, Kayne Investment Management

Curriculum: 9 core courses (front-loaded); 2nd year is designed with electives of your choice

Teaching Style: Team teaching with executives, action learning

Experiential Learning: Applied Management Research Project, Student Investment Fund

Centers and Initiatives: Laurence and Lori Fink Center for Finance & Investments

Fellowships: Investment Banking Fellowship, Kayne Investment Management Fellowship, Brown Private Equity & Alternatives Fellowship, and Master in Financial Engineering Fellowship

Global Opportunities: Global Immersion Courses, FEMBA and EMBA International Exchange

Clubs and Extracurriculars: Investment Finance Association

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