COMPARE Yale University Master in Asset Management vs University of Chicago Master in Finance

[altopt]

Hi, I have received the following offers and am very confused about where to go from here. I have a top undergrad but it was not in the US.

1. Chicago Booth Master in Finance (15 months)
2. Yale School of Management Master's in Asset Management (9 months) (interviewed but likely offer)
3. Private Equity job at an asset management firm (i.e. not a tier 1 PE role)

Please help me with this decision. Yale sounds like a great brand but people keep saying Chicago booth would help me more in terms of network value. I would be an international student.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Congrats. Would be great if you can fill out your profiles and applications time timelines on the tracker so we can help you out further.

 

[altopt]

Congrats. Would be great if you can fill out your profiles and applications time timelines on the tracker so we can help you out further.

Done! Thank you. Any inputs would be much appreciated Andy : )

 

[Andy Nguyen]

What is your background and your goal out of these programs? Where is the PE job and what is its compensation package. No need any detailed info but something descriptive enough would help.

 

[altopt]

What is your background and your goal out of these programs? Where is the PE job and what is its compensation package. No need any detailed info but something descriptive enough would help.

I have a social sciences undergrad at a top school outside of the US. The PE job is at a large asset management firm (non-American), with comp in line with consulting.
I would like to move to the US because it seems more attractive as a market not only in terms of comp but also opportunity. I realised over my internships that I am not 100% certain corporate life is for me so I would appreciate the option of being in a country where the stability premium is lower (i.e. startup roles can still pay as much as an entry level finance role). But also of course still looking for investing roles, more in the private market space.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Another option that you may consider is to take that offer and work a few years and then reapply. If you can get into Yale and Booth now, you should get into them later with more experience.
Chicago Booth only enrolled their first cohort last year so I don't know what the placement will be in this market. With a tuition of $114,000, I'm not comfortable recommend it without seeing at least a detailed breakdown of their graduates employment.
Yales has been around for a few years but their latest 2023 placement, close to 1/3 of them end up in Asia.

Employment Report

The rigorous and selective Master’s in Asset Management prepares students for a wide range of asset management roles. Our graduates have secured positions at major banks, investment funds, hedge funds, and other firms—and started their careers with the skills to get ahead.

som.yale.edu

 

[altopt]

Another option that you may consider is to take that offer and work a few years and then reapply. If you can get into Yale and Booth now, you should get into them later with more experience.
Chicago Booth only enrolled their first cohort last year so I don't know what the placement will be in this market. With a tuition of $114,000, I'm not comfortable recommend it without seeing at least a detailed breakdown of their graduates employment.
Yales has been around for a few years but their latest 2023 placement, close to 1/3 of them end up in Asia.

Employment Report

The rigorous and selective Master’s in Asset Management prepares students for a wide range of asset management roles. Our graduates have secured positions at major banks, investment funds, hedge funds, and other firms—and started their careers with the skills to get ahead.

som.yale.edu

I thought the Asia thing was an issue too till I looked at MIT's MFin employment report where 28% of the class also ended up in Asia...

Many thanks for the perspective!! I am definitely still considering the job.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I thought the Asia thing was an issue too till I looked at MIT's MFin employment report where 28% of the class also ended up in Asia...

Unfortunately, it is an issue for many programs, however famous. Some just make it harder for you to find out.
We don't want you to spend 100K on a degree without all the basic facts and what to expect. Don't just look only at the brochures. Look at the student reviews on QuantNet, the stats we collect (however little).

 

[MikeLawrence]

Another option that you may consider is to take that offer and work a few years and then reapply. If you can get into Yale and Booth now, you should get into them later with more experience.

The program's you've listed are new and I wouldn't want to be one of their test cases. I agree with Andy, and think that taking the job and then reassessing options in a year is a good idea.

 

[Tony_CaptianX]

Hi everyone, I’m an international student with a background in Economics & Mathematics, and I’m struggling to decide between the University of Chicago Booth’s Master in Finance and Yale’s MA in Asset Management. Would love to get your thoughts!

Here’s my breakdown:

Booth MiF (15-month program)​

Pros:

• Covers both primary and secondary markets (good breadth of exposure).
• As a brand-new program from an M7 school, Booth might be investing extra resources to build a strong reputation.
• This year’s application process was quite competitive, which may signal booth is aiming high?

Cons:

• I've heard some whispers about tension or a sense of elitism from MBA students toward master’s students at Booth.
• Large class size = more competition for career resources and networking.
• No employment report yet since it’s a new program = higher uncertainty.

Yale AM (9-month program)​

Pros:

• Strong Yale brand name and decent placement results historically.
• Program is more quant-focused and targeted toward secondary markets, which might give an edge for asset management or hedge fund roles.
• Much smaller class size = more individualized career support and faculty attention.

Cons:

• Not an M7, so perception in finance circles might not be as strong as Booth.
• Only 9 months — feels rushed, especially for job hunting.
• I’ve noticed their placement results have dipped a bit in recent years.

What I care about:​

• I’m not interested in IBD roles.
• Really hoping to stay in the U.S. or work in Hong Kong post-graduation.
• I value brand prestige, career support, and long-term salary growth potential.

Would love to hear from anyone who has experience with either program or faced a similar decision. What would you pick and why?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Hey @Tony_CaptianX
Welcome to QuantNet. Nice first post with all the research clearly presented.
What other programs did you apply and got in? I would first add your profile and application timelines to the Tracker so you can find other admitted applicants at either programs and network.
Here is a similar question from a Yale AM admit.

COMPARE Thread 'MIT MFin vs Yale University - Asset Management'

3/30/25

Hi everyone, I was recently admitted to these programs and need some help comparing them.

About me: US senior in undergrad looking to go into traditional asset management, NOT quant trading or quant research. Long term goals would be working as CIO for an asset managemnt firm, PM of a mututal fund/ETF, or role in a macro focused hedge fund. I don't want to be a quant researcher, but I recognize its importance to the industry and the benefit of having a technical understanding of it. I have zero interest in working in Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, or really even PE.

At first, my...

• AMFing
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Program Reviews & Comparisons

• 

I think this year will be a challenging year for many programs with the worry economic forecast. This will affect many programs with a large international students cohort.

 

[Tony_CaptianX]

Hey @Tony_CaptianX
Welcome to QuantNet. Nice first post with all the research clearly presented.
What other programs did you apply and got in? I would first add your profile and application timelines to the Tracker so you can find other admitted applicants at either programs and network.
Here is a similar question from a Yale AM admit.

COMPARE Thread 'MIT MFin vs Yale University - Asset Management'

3/30/25

Hi everyone, I was recently admitted to these programs and need some help comparing them.

About me: US senior in undergrad looking to go into traditional asset management, NOT quant trading or quant research. Long term goals would be working as CIO for an asset managemnt firm, PM of a mututal fund/ETF, or role in a macro focused hedge fund. I don't want to be a quant researcher, but I recognize its importance to the industry and the benefit of having a technical understanding of it. I have zero interest in working in Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, or really even PE.

At first, my...

• AMFing
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Program Reviews & Comparisons

• 

I think this year will be a challenging year for many programs with the worry economic forecast. This will affect many programs with a large international students cohort.

Honestly, after doing some research, I do prefer Yale’s Asset Management program when comparing just the programs themselves. However, I’ve also heard from many people that Yale SOM is considered a second-tier business school in the U.S., so I’m not sure to what extent that might diminish the overall advantage of the AM program.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Honestly, after doing some research, I do prefer Yale’s Asset Management program when comparing just the programs themselves. However, I’ve also heard from many people that Yale SOM is considered a second-tier business school in the U.S., so I’m not sure to what extent that might diminish the overall advantage of the AM program.

The biggest difference in my experience is the duration of the program. Chicago Booth MFin offered an accelerated 10-month track when they launched. They quickly removed that option and only now offer 15-month track.
In recent years, many MFE programs also offer an extra semester so that their students can have more time to search for internship and FT jobs while under OPT/CPT.
Yale being a 9-months is a huge disadvantage. It works if you are a domestic student with a job lined up so that you can jump into the job market and earn money right away.
In this job market, it's extremely hard for international students to find jobs and internship so the longer they have to find it, the better chance they will get one.

 

[Tony_CaptianX]

The biggest difference in my experience is the duration of the program. Chicago Booth MFin offered an accelerated 10-month track when they launched. They quickly removed that option and only now offer 15-month track.
In recent years, many MFE programs also offer an extra semester so that their students can have more time to search for internship and FT jobs while under OPT/CPT.
Yale being a 9-months is a huge disadvantage. It works if you are a domestic student with a job lined up so that you can jump into the job market and earn money right away.
In this job market, it's extremely hard for international students to find jobs and internship so the longer they have to find it, the better chance they will get one.

Thank you again for your reply! I just wanted to kindly point out that the 10-month program you mentioned is actually the Master in Management, which still exists. The Master in Finance has always been a 15-month program, so perhaps there was some confusion between the two. Additionally, neither program offers flexible graduation timelines—as far as I’ve discussed with this year’s admissions officer, it’s not possible to defer the graduation date. But you are very right about more time = better chance of getting a job

 

[tpnv]

The biggest difference in my experience is the duration of the program. Chicago Booth MFin offered an accelerated 10-month track when they launched. They quickly removed that option and only now offer 15-month track.
In recent years, many MFE programs also offer an extra semester so that their students can have more time to search for internship and FT jobs while under OPT/CPT.
Yale being a 9-months is a huge disadvantage. It works if you are a domestic student with a job lined up so that you can jump into the job market and earn money right away.
In this job market, it's extremely hard for international students to find jobs and internship so the longer they have to find it, the better chance they will get one.

Student can still have option taking part-time (or 1 class) if the school ISSS/DSO approved for reduced credit during their final semester, this may mean taking 1 extra class however it is needed if student feels unsure about job or wanting to extend to take class of their liking.
Many I know did this just fine, however everything must be approved and consulted by DSO, this can possibly push 1 year program to 1.5 year if possible.

 

[fishoutofwater]

What is everyone's thoughts on if Yale AM is a significant advantage for roles in IB and PE compared to more quant programs like Columbia MFE or CMU MSCF. That is, would attending a traditional MFE make recruiting for IB and PE roles impossible vs. Yale where you have that option alongside quant roles?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Thank you again for your reply! I just wanted to kindly point out that the 10-month program you mentioned is actually the Master in Management, which still exists. The Master in Finance has always been a 15-month program, so perhaps there was some confusion between the two.

I'm going off their official website

Explore Cost and Financial Aid

A degree from the Asness and Liew Master in Finance Program at Chicago Booth is an excellent investment in your future. Here’s what to expect.

www.chicagobooth.edu

Previous track offerings included an accelerated track (10 months). This track is no longer offered.

Chicago Booth Launches A Master In Finance, Its Second New Degree In 88 Years

6 months after launching a Master in Management, the Booth School is out with its second new degree program since before World War II.

poetsandquants.com

The program will have both a standard 15-month track and an accelerated 10-month track.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

I reached out to a current students in the Chicago Booth MFin program and he has good things to say about it. I hope it sheds some lights and answers some questions from interested applicants.

I'm happy to share more about the Master in Finance (MiF) program at Booth. It’s been a great experience so far and has definitely helped open doors in the finance industry.

The program is still relatively new, but it’s very rigorous and well-structured. What I’ve found most valuable is the access to Booth’s career resources — we get full support from Booth’s career services team, and that includes 1:1 coaching, resume reviews, mock interviews, and tons of networking events with top firms across finance, consulting, and tech. The alumni network is also incredibly supportive.

In terms of academics, the curriculum is flexible but very quantitative. We cover everything from asset pricing, fixed income, and financial statement analysis to machine learning, Python, and advanced corporate finance. Professors are not only world-class researchers but also very accessible.

Regarding admissions, the school doesn’t publish an official acceptance rate for the MiF, but it is competitive. I’d say they look for strong quantitative skills, some relevant experience (even internships), and a clear story for why finance.