COMPARE UCLA MFE vs Rutgers University MQF

Rank
Program
Total Score
Peer Score
Employed at Graduation (%)
Employed at 3 months (%)
Base salary
Cohort Size
Acceptance Rate (%)
Tuition
Rank
14
🇺🇸
2025
Rutgers University Newark, NJ 07102
4.08 star(s) 13 reviews
🇺🇸
14
2025
Rutgers University
67
2.5
60
87
108.3K
46
36.87
79.22K
Rank
17
🇺🇸
2025
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095
4.26 star(s) 46 reviews
🇺🇸
17
2025
University of California, Los Angeles
61
3.1
48
67
110.5K
97
32.95
93.12K
Joined
4/16/14
Messages
1
Points
11
'UCLA Financial Engineering vs Rutger BS Quantitative Finance' was merged into this thread.
Hello,

which program would you choose?
 
UCLA MFE has updated their placement stats page and at first glance, the data is more useful than it has been in the past. I also received an email from the program last night. You may want to check out.
Looking at the title, I don't know if the OP has a typo when he mentioned BS degree. We are talking about master degree here.

Employment Statistics for the Class of 2013
We are proud to showcase the employment statistics for the UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering ("MFE") Class of 2013
Our MFE graduates have done an excellent job in securing full-time positions –
94% placed (3 months after graduation)! Congratulations!
More info: http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degree...neering/career-services/employment-statistics

* Based on number of students actively seeking full-time employment positions.
 
UCLA MFE has updated their placement stats page and at first glance, the data is more useful than it has been in the past. I also received an email from the program last night. You may want to check out.
Looking at the title, I don't know if the OP has a typo when he mentioned BS degree. We are talking about master degree here.

Employment Statistics for the Class of 2013
We are proud to showcase the employment statistics for the UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering ("MFE") Class of 2013
Our MFE graduates have done an excellent job in securing full-time positions –
94% placed (3 months after graduation)! Congratulations!
More info: http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degree...neering/career-services/employment-statistics

* Based on number of students actively seeking full-time employment positions.
UCLA MFE has updated their placement stats page and at first glance, the data is more useful than it has been in the past. I also received an email from the program last night. You may want to check out.
Looking at the title, I don't know if the OP has a typo when he mentioned BS degree. We are talking about master degree here.

Employment Statistics for the Class of 2013
We are proud to showcase the employment statistics for the UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering ("MFE") Class of 2013
Our MFE graduates have done an excellent job in securing full-time positions –
94% placed (3 months after graduation)! Congratulations!
More info: http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degree...neering/career-services/employment-statistics

* Based on number of students actively seeking full-time employment positions.
He may refer to Rutgers Business School.
 
was half joking but either go big or go home nowadays for quant school. u def got some anxiety problem for not getting my joke. i personally wont attend a master program to eventually compete with undergrad for most jobs
 
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was half joking but either go big or go home nowadays for quant school. u def got some anxiety problem for not getting my joke. i personally wont attend a master program to eventually compete with undergrad for most jobs

Agreed...

But I think UCLA MFE grads do not compete with undergrads. Take a look at the average salary. Average base for ULCA MFE is around 90-100k. Undergrads do not have an average base of 90-100k, more like 50-70k.
 
undergrads got paid lower initially at most places even for the same exact position (e.g. pimco, phds usually earn 50% more than undergrad for doing the exact same portfolio associate job) but dont have to pay post-tax tuitions for the master degrees either. judging from the hiring companies and titles, its probably the case. but some candidates def got decent grad offers (cuz of past experience or simply smart ass).

the mid-term and long-term career progression however depends mostly on ur performance and skillset (including office politic prowess). dats why u will see some quant shops full of phds r not surprisingly managed by undergrad bosses who r just equally smart. and candidates should focos on the job quality post school instead of just the salary number. for typical undergrads, they still have dat optional graduate school card to play later if things dont go as expected. do notice dat many places much prefer hiring masters and above. the reason is simply the skillsets possessed by most undergrads dont suffice in quant jobs. but the rite skillsets r ezly acquirable by the talented undergrads with the rite attitude from places such as mit, caltech, berkeley, and the like (as we know geniuses exist everywhere but most shops only recruit at target schools). its not dat one gets instantly smarter after studying mfe. most mfes more or less teach the same crap one can sign up at local state colleges: stochal, time series, numerical methods, programming, and other "finance related" nuances (e.g. term structure modeling, volatility smiles, etc.) one will prob learn better and deeper from studying some good textbooks, cutting edge papers, and most importantly from experiences.
 
Hi ! I have been admitted to both the universities for their respective Financial Engineering programs.
I would like to know which is better with respect to the course curriculum and employment outcomes.
Thanks.
 
who knows!! Go to linkedin and email some alumni.

However, UCLA is in... LA baby!!! nicer weather, lots of celebrities.

Rutgers is in f#@&!ng New Brunswick... or worst, Newark!!!
 
@Andy Nguyen @Pavlos Sakoglou I would like to know your opinions on this.
Thanks!
@pingu made a good point. LinkedIn will be a good place to get info. Also, the city you are studying matters in many ways. And LA is one of the largest cities in the world.

I haven't formed an opinion on those schools since I haven't researched them at all, however here's what I found in a quick goolge search:
http://colleges.startclass.com/comp...s-Angeles-vs-Rutgers-University-New-Brunswick

In general, try to find stats online and then infer given your life goals.
 
'UCLA MFE vs Rutgers MQF' was merged into this thread.
Hey guys!

Got admitted into these programs. I'm legit confused.

UCLA MFE:

UCLA MFE is associated with UCLA MBA 'Anderson' name. Hence has a reputation. But the MFE program doesn't share strong career services with that of the MBA program. You're pretty much on your own. On speaking with a recent UCLA MFE, I came to know that many people had moved from West to East coast after the completion of the course to be able to find a job since West coast wasn't working out. Since many companies refuse to interview you cuz you're far and they will have to reimburse you with everything. NYC proximity gives you a higher chance of face to face interview without any hassles. Excellent faculty. Beautiful campus. Costs a bomb.

Rutgers MQF:

Half hour from wall street. People majorly get into big investment banks. May not be an ideal role, but they have a chance. the advantage is here its 1.5 years course can be extended to 2 years in case you don't find a job, you will have an extra few months before your visa gets out of status. Much cheaper. Faculty is moderate. I am yet to learn about their career services, will speak to someone, which I think is super critical. Any ideas here?

Any suggestions on something in missed is highly appreciated. It would really help me make an informed decision.

Thanks!!
 
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Thanks for your suggestion. Can you share in what areas you think is UCLA advantageous over Rutgers?
 
Hi,
I am an international student (CS undergrad, tier-1 uni). Got accepted to Rutgers MQF and UCLA MFE. I am a bit confused about which to prioritise as of now.

I have spoke to a lot of students and alumni at both the universities. General rankings wise UCLA > Rutgers. But I wanted to know if there’s really an edge that I will get while applying to jobs. Cause location wise Id prefer being closer to NYC. My major focus is learning, more math heavy program, networking opportunities. Wanted to get opinion of someone who has been working for 5-6 years in quant finance field.

I heard that UCLA had recent changes in administration and that they had a dedicated person in NYC for networking, but there have been recent changes in that as well.

Thank you for your time!
 
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UCLA MFE made recent changes to their team recently. A new executive director, new faces on the team. The NYC liaison person was no longer with the program as of the end of last year.
 
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