2025 QuantNet Ranking of Best Financial Engineering Programs
The 2025 QuantNet Ranking stands as the most comprehensive guide of the top Quantitative Finance and Financial Engineering programs in the United States.
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.
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...
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- Class of 2026
Highly Recommend
The perfect start point to enter the quant industry. The course materials are very useful and professors have a lot of insights.
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- Class of 2025
Carnegie Mellon University
New York, NY 10005 | Pittsburgh, PA 15213
MS in Computational Finance
3
- Total Score
- 93
- Peer Score
- 4.2
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...
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- Class of 2026
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
Master of Financial Engineering
4
- Total Score
- 88
- Peer Score
- 3.6
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...
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- Class of 2026
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02139
Master of Finance
5
- Total Score
- 86
- Peer Score
- 3.0
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...
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- Class of 2026
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027
Masters in Financial Engineering
6
- Total Score
- 85
- Peer Score
- 3.6
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...
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- Class of 2024
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...
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- Class of 2022
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332
MS in Quantitative and Computational Finance
8
- Total Score
- 80
- Peer Score
- 3.0
Probably the best choice if you can't go to the top 4
Qcf went up to top 8 this year on quantnet, which made it highly competitive for 2025 fall. Of course, you can't rely on the career service to get an amazing offer from a hedge fund, but it's good enough for most people in this hard time.
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- Class of 2025
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027
MA in Mathematics of Finance (MAFN)
9
- Total Score
- 77
- Peer Score
- 3.4
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...
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- Class of 2004
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...
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- Class of 2024
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Brooklyn, NY 11201
MS in Financial Engineering
9
- Total Score
- 77
- Peer Score
- 3.0
Great Career Placement & Alumni Network
I actually come from a DS background rather than a traditional quant path, and the NYU MFE program turned out to be an incredibly valuable experience for me, which might be helpful to students with similar profiles who want to explore data science roles within the...
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- Class of 2024
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695
Master in Financial Mathematics
12
- Total Score
- 74
- Peer Score
- 2.3
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...
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- Class of 2025
New York University
New York, NY 10012
MS in Mathematics in Finance
13
- Total Score
- 69
- Peer Score
- 3.6
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...
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- Class of 2026
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...
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- Class of 2023
Great professors & network
Exceptional faculty with strong industry and academic backgrounds. You get exposure to a prestigious crowd. The professors also teach at other schools like Princeton Columbia and NYU so the level of teaching is on par with the best.
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- Class of 2025
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
MS Computational Finance & Risk Management
16
- Total Score
- 62
- Peer Score
- 2.5
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...
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- Class of 2023
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Master of Financial Engineering
17
- Total Score
- 61
- Peer Score
- 3.1
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...
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- Class of 2025
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Master in Financial Engineering
18
- Total Score
- 56
- Peer Score
- 2.3
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...
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- Class of 2025
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Urbana, IL 61801
Master of Financial Engineering
19
- Total Score
- 55
- Peer Score
- 2.7
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...
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- Class of 2025
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Master of Financial Mathematics
20
- Total Score
- 46
- Peer Score
- 2.0
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...
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- Class of 2024
Boston University
Boston, MA 02215
MS in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology
21
- Total Score
- 44
- Peer Score
- 2.5
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...
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- Class of 2022
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093
Master of Quantitative Finance
22
- Total Score
- 39
- Peer Score
- 2.0
Top-tier faculty and facilities with heavy workload but limited career support in a growing program.
The faculty is excellent, with professors who are top-tier in their fields. Students can choose from a wide range of elective courses, from Stochastic Calculus to M&A, though the workload in the quant courses is extremely heavy. Most courses involve significant coding...
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- Class of 2024
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223
MS in Mathematical Finance
NR
- Peer Score
- 2.2
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...
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- Class of 2027
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...
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- Class of 2026
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...
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- Class of 2022
- Tuition
- $50,872
- Enrollment
- 18 FT, 1 PT
- Acceptance rate
- 39.1%
- At Graduation
- 25%
|
Rank
|
Program
|
Total Score
|
Peer Score
|
Employed at Graduation (%)
|
Employed at 3 months (%)
|
Base salary
|
Cohort Size
|
Acceptance Rate (%)
|
Tuition
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank
1
|
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544
|
||||||||
|
1
|
Princeton University
|
100
|
3.7
|
95
|
100
|
184.8K
|
35
|
4.32
|
124.8K
|
|
Rank
2
|
Baruch College
New York, NY 10010
|
||||||||
|
2
|
Baruch College
|
99
|
4.2
|
91
|
100
|
162.4K
|
27
|
5.44
|
42.39K
|
|
Rank
3
|
Carnegie Mellon University
New York, NY 10005 | Pittsburgh, PA 15213
|
||||||||
|
3
|
Carnegie Mellon University
|
93
|
4.2
|
89
|
99
|
136.5K
|
101
|
16.8
|
100.6K
|
|
Rank
4
|
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
|
||||||||
|
4
|
University of California, Berkeley
|
88
|
3.6
|
79
|
92
|
153.1K
|
86
|
17.96
|
82.90K
|
|
Rank
5
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02139
|
||||||||
|
5
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|
86
|
3
|
76
|
97
|
135.8K
|
118
|
8.73
|
125.4K
|
|
Rank
6
|
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027
|
||||||||
|
6
|
Columbia University
|
85
|
3.6
|
37
|
100
|
122.9K
|
123
|
10.52
|
93.02K
|
|
Rank
6
|
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL 60637
|
||||||||
|
6
|
University of Chicago
|
85
|
3.4
|
78
|
95
|
117.1K
|
130
|
20.86
|
96.82K
|
|
Rank
8
|
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332
|
||||||||
|
8
|
Georgia Institute of Technology
|
80
|
3
|
93
|
100
|
113.6K
|
51
|
32.59
|
64.34K
|
|
Rank
9
|
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027
|
||||||||
|
9
|
Columbia University
|
77
|
3.4
|
49
|
75
|
116.4K
|
109
|
22.11
|
98.93K
|
|
Rank
9
|
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850
|
||||||||
|
9
|
Cornell University
|
77
|
3.2
|
55
|
84
|
116.8K
|
65
|
20.65
|
102.5K
|
|
Rank
9
|
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Brooklyn, NY 11201
|
||||||||
|
9
|
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
|
77
|
3
|
67
|
89
|
110.3K
|
146
|
28.11
|
81.58K
|
|
Rank
12
|
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695
|
||||||||
|
12
|
North Carolina State University
|
74
|
2.3
|
62
|
100
|
116K
|
23
|
14.56
|
64.60K
|
|
Rank
13
|
New York University
New York, NY 10012
|
||||||||
|
13
|
New York University
|
69
|
3.6
|
40
|
49
|
104.1K
|
30
|
18.31
|
84.96K
|
|
Rank
14
|
Rutgers University
Newark, NJ 07102
|
||||||||
|
14
|
Rutgers University
|
67
|
2.5
|
60
|
87
|
108.3K
|
46
|
36.87
|
79.22K
|
|
Rank
15
|
Fordham University
New York, NY 10023
|
||||||||
|
15
|
Fordham University
|
65
|
2.4
|
75
|
100
|
117K
|
39
|
58.93
|
105.5K
|
|
Rank
16
|
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
|
||||||||
|
16
|
University of Washington
|
62
|
2.5
|
53
|
72
|
109.2K
|
30
|
24.05
|
50.93K
|
|
Rank
17
|
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095
|
||||||||
|
17
|
University of California, Los Angeles
|
61
|
3.1
|
48
|
67
|
110.5K
|
97
|
32.95
|
93.12K
|
|
Rank
18
|
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ 07030
|
||||||||
|
18
|
Stevens Institute of Technology
|
56
|
2.3
|
24
|
94
|
112.4K
|
58
|
83.66
|
56.47K
|
|
Rank
19
|
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Urbana, IL 61801
|
||||||||
|
19
|
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
|
55
|
2.7
|
35
|
74
|
98.13K
|
49
|
54.18
|
78.96K
|
|
Rank
20
|
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
|
||||||||
|
20
|
University of Minnesota
|
46
|
2
|
60
|
80
|
91.50K
|
20
|
92.11
|
52.67K
|
|
Rank
21
|
Boston University
Boston, MA 02215
|
||||||||
|
21
|
Boston University
|
44
|
2.5
|
17
|
40
|
90.83K
|
88
|
69.19
|
94.90K
|
|
Rank
22
|
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093
|
||||||||
|
22
|
University of California, San Diego
|
39
|
2
|
16
|
47
|
63.65K
|
215
|
55.15
|
79.92K
|
| - |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223
|
||||||||
|
-
|
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
|
-
|
2.2
|
78
|
78
|
100K
|
12
|
64.52
|
46K
|
| - |
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD 21218
|
||||||||
|
-
|
Johns Hopkins University
|
-
|
2.6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
29
|
40.23
|
99.98K
|
| - |
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA 18015
|
||||||||
|
-
|
Lehigh University
|
-
|
2.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
60.23
|
57.56K
|
| - |
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794
|
||||||||
|
-
|
Stony Brook University
|
-
|
2.3
|
25
|
50
|
-
|
19
|
39.13
|
50.87K
|
- Published
- 11/20/24
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