COMPARE Chicago MSFM vs Columbia MAFN

Rank
Program
Total Score
Peer Score
Employed at Graduation (%)
Employed at 3 months (%)
Base salary
Cohort Size
Acceptance Rate (%)
Tuition
Rank
6
🇺🇸
2025
University of Chicago Chicago, IL 60637
4.71 star(s) 52 reviews
🇺🇸
6
2025
University of Chicago
85
3.4
78
95
117.1K
130
20.86
96.82K
Rank
9
🇺🇸
2025
Columbia University New York, NY 10027
4.65 star(s) 17 reviews
🇺🇸
9
2025
Columbia University
77
3.4
49
75
116.4K
109
22.11
98.93K
'Columbia Math Fin vs UChicago MsFM' was merged into this thread.
Hello, folks!
Recently I received offers from these two programs. I'm an international student in my last year of college, hoping to seek employment in the US after graduation. Any quant-related jobs will be fine (I'm at the entry-level with no prior experience so won't be picky at all). I've been reading some reviews and comparisons in the forum, consulted several friends that recently graduated from these programs and concluded some pros and cons of the two programs that concern me:

Columbia MAFN:
Pro:
1. NYC is a big plus with more variety of and more job opportunities.
2. Stronger alumni network in the industry. (I read somewhere in the forum that UChicago is relatively underrepresented in Wall Street as more people seek employment in Chicago)
Con:
1. Curriculum structure seems to be disorganized and there are limited electives to take.
2. Face competition from MFE, MSOR, Columbia business school, and other great schools and programs in/around NY.

Chicago MsFM:
Pro:
1. Strong brand name in the Chicago area.
2. Project labs help to secure internships.
Con:
1. Night classes and the district is pretty dangerous.
2. More buy-side firms in Chicago, which are difficult for an international student to get in.

In terms of internships, I think UChicago does slightly better. However, career outcomes seem to be similar (both programs have mediocre career services).
Did I miss anything important about these programs? Which program would be better for me to take?
Any comment or help is appreciated!
 
MAFN. Go NYC and you will never regret. These two offer the same career service and similar brand name. NYC is levels higher than Chicago if a job is your priority.
 
MAFN. Go NYC and you will never regret. These two offer the same career service and similar brand name. NYC is levels higher than Chicago if a job is your priority.
Yeah I am leaning towards Columbia now. Thanks for the advice!
 
Can you elaborate on your career goals?
Chicago is a hub for quant trading and research. UChicago is the #1 college in all of Chicago which would give you an edge over all other programs in Chicago.
MAFN on the other hand is competing with the IEOR department and other programs in NYC. But they have a strong curriculum that could prepare you for a PhD and the industry. The only downside is the placement committee or the lack thereof. So if you're looking for a good placement regardless of location , UChicago is the best choice , otherwise go for MAFN and work your ass off for a very good placement. Graduates from both programs end up at prestigious firms at the end of the day
 
Can you elaborate on your career goals?
Chicago is a hub for quant trading and research. UChicago is the #1 college in all of Chicago which would give you an edge over all other programs in Chicago.
MAFN on the other hand is competing with the IEOR department and other programs in NYC. But they have a strong curriculum that could prepare you for a PhD and the industry. The only downside is the placement committee or the lack thereof. So if you're looking for a good placement regardless of location , UChicago is the best choice , otherwise go for MAFN and work your ass off for a very good placement. Graduates from both programs end up at prestigious firms at the end of the day
Chicago is good, no doubt, but this just doesn't ring true to me in terms of how companies recruit. First of all, Columbia is a better name than Chicago. Both are good, but in terms of general prestige, which matters. Second of all, if the jobs in Chicago are so good, then UChicago graduates will also be competing with Columbia graduates and everyone else. New York is also a hub for quant trading and research. Having people in the program who can refer you or who have connections is useful, but only to a point. The name of the school is important too.
 
Tha
Chicago is good, no doubt, but this just doesn't ring true to me in terms of how companies recruit. First of all, Columbia is a better name than Chicago. Both are good, but in terms of general prestige, which matters. Second of all, if the jobs in Chicago are so good, then UChicago graduates will also be competing with Columbia graduates and everyone else. New York is also a hub for quant trading and research. Having people in the program who can refer you or who have connections is useful, but only to a point. The name of the school is important too.
that is indeed similar to what I was thinking, I also looked at the curriculum of UChicago, it didn't seem to go as deep as the Columbia ones or other well known programs, and last but not least when I check on Linkedin the people who did the UChicago program a few seem to get trading firms but a lot risk management or back office jobs at unknown firm. But on the positive side UChicago seemed to have a really dedicated career office while columbia's one seem non existent
 
Tha

that is indeed similar to what I was thinking, I also looked at the curriculum of UChicago, it didn't seem to go as deep as the Columbia ones or other well known programs, and last but not least when I check on Linkedin the people who did the UChicago program a few seem to get trading firms but a lot risk management or back office jobs at unknown firm. But on the positive side UChicago seemed to have a really dedicated career office while columbia's one seem non existent
all reasonable--maybe this is personal experience and doesn't generalize but for me, it has been about my own efforts to secure a job and less about a career office
 
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