Top Universities in the USA for an MS in Finance 2026: Rankings, Tuition Fees, Eligibility and More

Quick Answer

MIT Sloan, UC Berkeley Haas, Yale and UCLA Anderson are the highest-ranked US schools in the QS Master’s in Finance ranking 2027 (positions 3, 6, 7 and 9). Four US schools make the global top 10. Total program costs we could verify run from about $53,000 to $113,361, and several programs, including MIT Sloan, UT Austin and USC, treat GMAT/GRE scores as optional. Always confirm fees and deadlines on each program page.

Ranking source: QS Master’s in Finance ranking 2027, published 16 September 2026, as reported by Poets&Quants. We could confirm only the top 10 positions.

Top US Universities for MS in Finance

Costs are quoted from each university’s own pages where we could read them, converted at about ₹96.8 per US dollar. “Not verified” means we could not read a current figure, so check the program page. Columbia, NYU Stern and other New York programs also recruit heavily on Wall Street; confirm the exact program name and fees on each university’s site.

A Closer Look at the Top Programs

MIT Sloan

MIT Sloan’s Master of Finance ranks third in the QS 2027 finance ranking. GMAT or GRE scores are optional, applicants without a score are reviewed with no negative inferences, and the next application deadline is 5 January 2027 for the Summer (July) term.

UC Berkeley Haas

The Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) ranks sixth in QS 2027 and suits students targeting finance, technology or data science careers. Haas recommends budgeting up to $5,000 for pre-program courses on top of the program cost; check the Haas financial aid page for current MFE tuition.

UCLA Anderson

UCLA Anderson’s MFE ranks ninth in QS 2027. It runs four quarters from Fall 2026 to Fall 2027, costs $113,361 in program fees, insurance and student fees for the 2026-27 class (estimated cost of attendance $122,854), and is STEM-designated. Degrees must represent at least 16 years of schooling, which matters for Indian applicants with three-year degrees, so confirm your eligibility early.

Also read: GMAT vs GRE: Differences and How to Choose

Eligibility

Most top programs expect a strong academic record, English proficiency test results for international applicants, and in some cases GMAT or GRE scores. Programs set their own GPA expectations, and none of the program pages we read stated a fixed minimum. At UCLA Anderson, the stated English minimums are TOEFL 87 or IELTS 7.0, though most admitted students score higher.

Do You Need GMAT or GRE for an MS in Finance in the USA?

Not for every program. Several now treat scores as optional and weigh your academic record and quantitative coursework more heavily. Where you do plan to take a test, see GMAT vs GRE: differences and how to choose and our list of top universities in the USA without GRE.

Cost of an MS in Finance in the USA

The verified totals below are tuition and fees for the whole program, not living costs. For college-wise fees across other US masters programs, read cost of an MS in the USA for Indian students.

Tuition figures are reviewed periodically. Verify current fees directly with each university before applying.

STEM-Designated MS in Finance Programs and 3-Year OPT

UT Austin McCombs MS in Finance and UCLA Anderson MFE state that they are STEM-designated. For international students, that means a 24-month OPT extension on top of the standard 12 months, 36 months in total. We could not confirm the designation for MIT, Berkeley, USC or Yale from the pages we read, so check each program page and talk to the university’s international office. For how OPT works, read the OPT in USA guide 2026.

Application Deadlines for the Next Intake

Dates are from each program’s admissions page and can change, so confirm before you plan.

Application Process

Application processes vary by university, but most follow a similar core sequence, using the University of Texas as a representative example:

•  Navigate to the program page and locate the online application form.
•  Add your personal and academic details.
•  Upload documents supporting your graduate program eligibility (transcripts, test scores, resume).
•  Submit letters of recommendation and your statement of purpose.
•  Pay the application fee and submit before the program’s deadline.

Career Outcomes and Salary

Graduates from top MS in Finance programs move into roles such as the ones below. Salary figures differ by program and class, so read each school’s latest employment report before you compare. Popular roles include:

Financing Your MS in Finance

With verified program totals from about $53,000 to over $113,000, financing is a real consideration for most Indian students. GradRight connects you with 18+ lending partners, Indian and international banks and NBFCs, so you can compare interest rates and repayment terms in one place, with unbiased guidance from a financial expert throughout, and approval possible in as little as 10 days.

Related Articles

• Master’s MS in Finance Abroad: Top Universities and Rankings
• MS Finance in the USA: Universities, Fees and Eligibility
• Top Universities in the USA Without GRE
• Cost of an MS in the USA for Indian Students: College-Wise Fees
• Average Salary in USA for Indian Students After MS
• Top Exams Required to Study in the USA
• OPT in USA Guide 2026: Eligibility, Duration and STEM Extension
• Ultimate Guide to Funding Your US Master’s
• Education Loan Eligibility Criteria Guide for Indian Students

Find Your Best-Fit Finance Program

GradRight’s AI-powered platform can help you shortlist MS in Finance programs based on your profile and career goals, and its loan comparison tool connects you with 18+ lending partners once you’re ready to finance your degree. Compare education loans.