Help Choosing Between MS in Financial Engineering at UIUC and NYU Tandon

[sudhanadithya]

Hi,

I’ve received admission offers for an MS in Financial Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and NYU Tandon. I’m trying to decide which program to choose and would love to hear insights from current students, alumni, or industry professionals.

Here are some details about my situation:

• My long-term goal is to work in quantitative finance or fintech, possibly in NYC, and eventually start an asset management firm in my region.
• NYU Tandon offers proximity to Wall Street and NYC’s financial ecosystem, while UIUC is known for its strong technical and computational focus.
• I’m considering factors like career opportunities, cost of living, program curriculum, and alumni networks.

If you’ve attended either program or work in the financial engineering field, could you share:

1. How well does the program prepare you for roles in the industry?
2. Are there significant differences in job placement opportunities between the two?
3. Any advice for someone weighing NYC’s financial hub advantages against UIUC’s technical strengths?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

What will be your first job that will lead you to your long-term goal? Focus on this first and see how to get there and which program is best suited.
Tandon has 3 times the students of UIUC. Even it's in NYC, its graduates have to compete with students from other NYC programs as well as everyone else who wants to work in NYC.
If you go to UIUC, target a job in Chicago would be a more feasible task. You can always get a job in NYC a few years down the line. Aiming for the world most competitive finance job market right away just makes your job 10 times harder.