Best Finance Schools in New York: There are about 57 colleges and universities in New York offering finance degree programs and related fields that guide students for careers including financial analysts, loan officers, and financial managers.
There are actually many reasons to study in the United States, especially in New York, the state is consistently voted as a global hub for financial services and opportunities.
Most New York finance schools offer programs leading to a bachelor’s degree that can be completed in just four years, you can decide to further for a master’s degree which can take an additional two years to complete.
Some schools also offer flexible weeknight or weekend classes and even online options, so we hope this article will help you make a more informed decision about your career.
What can you do with a degree from a finance school?
With a degree in finance, you can become a financial analyst, a financial manager, a chartered accountant, a financial adviser, or even an actuary.
Whether you want to work as an accountant, in sales, or in risk management, a degree in finance from any of the top finance schools near you can give you an edge and opportunity for high-paying jobs with excellent benefits packages.
Salary Outlook for a Finance Career in New York
| Occupation | Number Employed | Average Salary ($) |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 662,820 | 101,460 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts and Other Specialists | 49,620 | 131,690 |
| Financial Examiners | 13,200 | 116,080 |
| Financial Managers | 49,010 | 206,990 |
| Loan Officers | 15,700 | 107,770 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 21,170 | 158,040 |
This shows that with a degree in finance, you can make more money, increase your earning potential, and have a wide range of employment opportunities.
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What are the best Finance Schools in New York?
1. Columbia University
Columbia University is one of the oldest finance schools in New York established in 1754 and offers programs that lead to a Certificate in Corporate Finance and a Master’s in Financial Economics.
It might interest you to know that admission into this school is extremely hard with an acceptance rate of 16.4%, Columbia University is arguably one of the hardest schools to get into.
However, Columbia University is also one of the most reputable schools in the United States ranked #7 on Forbes’ Best Business Schools (2019) and #4 on US News Best Graduate Finance Programs (2021).
Columbia University is very much recommended as one of the best New York Finance schools with a high graduation rate of 95%.
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2. Cornell University
Cornell University is one of the top New York schools to earn a finance degree, and the business program is accredited by the AACSB.
The business programs offered at Cornell lead to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in corporate finance and real estate investment.
The program takes two years to complete and has an accelerated one-year option focusing on developing critical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
here are some of the finance degrees attainable at Cornell University;
- BS-Applied Economics & Management: Finance
- BS-Hotel Administration: Corporate Finance
- BS-Hotel Administration: General Financial Management
- BS-Hotel Administration: Securities Analysis/Investment Banking
- MBA-Corporate Finance
- Cornell-Tsinghua Finance MBA
- Masters in Real Estate-Real Estate Finance and Investments
Admission into Cornell University is moderate with an acceptance rate of 38.3% and it has a high graduation rate of 95%.
Cornell University has also been ranked #13 in the list of best undergraduate finance programs and #21 on the list of best graduate finance programs by US News of World Reports in 2021.
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3. New York University
New York University is a private research university in New York City, the finance department offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Financial Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance.
New York University’s programs focus on the principles of markets while providing opportunities to learn in the field.
With a 26.1% acceptance rate, New York University is quite difficult to get into and the program is designed around the needs of working professionals to provide a work-life-study environment.
One of the reasons people choose a finance degree from New York University is that the school has been ranked by US News as the #2 best undergraduate finance program and #3 best graduate finance program in 2021.
4. University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is arguably one of the best finance universities in New York that teaches students how to be profitable in the global business market.
Students at the University of Rochester offer programs that train students through the combination of an analytics-based curriculum and practical experience, these programs lead to a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) and a Master of Business Administration in Finance (MBA).
Students can complete the MSF program in an accelerated 10-month track or a 17-month track and during this period, they will learn subjects like;
- Corporate finance
- Communication techniques
- Statistics, and
- Economics.
The University of Rochester is not easy to get into with an acceptance rate of 26.1% and a graduation rate of 87%, and the school has been ranked by US News as the 13th best graduate finance program in 2021.
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5. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university and one of the best finance schools in New York.
Students can pursue a Master of Science in Quantitative Finance and Risk Analytics and also a Master of Business Administration in Finance.
The MBA in Finance strongly focuses on financial management, investments, and institutions while the Quantitative Finance strongly focuses on applied analytics in theoretical and practical finance.
Getting a finance degree at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute means you will have access to career support and networking opportunities, including competitive internships.
The school also has a very high acceptance rate of 71.4% and a high graduation rate of 85%, this opens more opportunities to connect with other students.
6. Fordham University
Established in 1841, Fordham University is one of the oldest schools in New York offering a degree in finance.
The Finance Department offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) that is strongly focused on Finance and Business Economics, students will learn how to manage investments and handle large portfolios.
Fordham also offers a Master of Science in Global Finance, a Bachelor of Science in Finance that is concentrated in alternative investments, a Master of Science in Quantitative finance, and an MBA in Financial Technology.
All students can gain practical, real-world experience in internships, and there are also online programs for remote students.
Getting into Fordham University is quite competitive with a moderate acceptance rate of 47.6% and a high graduation rate of 83%, it has also been ranked by Forbes as the 58th best business school as of 2019.
7. Hofstra University
Founded in 1935, Hofstra University is one of the largest, privately-owned universities in Hempstead, New York. It is Long Island’s largest private university.
You can obtain a degree from this university, their programs lead to a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Finance, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, a Master of Science in Finance and Quantitative Finance, and an MBA in Finance.
With a very high acceptance rate of 91% and a graduation rate of 65%, Hofstra University has become one of the leading destinations for students interested in getting a finance degree in New York.
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8. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology is a privately-owned research university in the town of Henrietta in the Rochester, New York, metropolitan area.
Students can pursue undergraduate and even graduate degrees here, including doctoral and professional degrees and online masters as well.
The department of finance at the Rochester Institute of Technology offers programs that lead to a Minor and a Master of Science in Finance and computational finance, students can even pursue an MBA in Finance here.
Admission into the school is not strict, out of every 100 applicants, the school admits about 68 students, and the graduation rate is high at 67%.
9. Clarkson University
Clarkson University is one of the privately-owned research and finance universities in New York.
Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Financial Information and Analysis which concentrates on interpreting and analyzing financial statements to make key business decisions.
The program at Clarkson University is accredited by the AACSB, and the school is not strict with accepting students, it is reflected in its 78.9% acceptance rate and high graduation rate of 78%.
Studying for a finance degree at Clarkson University means you will have access to career mentorship and the opportunity to network with industry leaders.
10. Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a privately-owned Roman Catholic, liberal arts university in the Bronx in New York City.
Some of the major reasons students love this college are because of its excellent educational programs, beautiful NYC campus, and unparalleled career opportunities.
Manhattan College is also of the top finance colleges in New York, accredited by the AACSB, and offers degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Finance and also a Minor in Finance.
Students can easily get admission into Manhattan College, the school has a 100% acceptance rate and a very high graduation rate of 71%.
Here are other top New York Finance Schools To Consider;
- Binghamton University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Molloy College
- Syracuse University
- Alfred University
- CUNY Baruch College
- CUNY Brooklyn College
- Pace University
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Siena College
- Canisius College
- Le Moyne College
Frequently Asked Questions on Finance:
What are the top Finance Associations in New York?
Here is a list of some of the most reputable finance associations in New York, they are arranged in no particular ranking order;
- Association for Financial Professionals Western New York (AFPWNY)
- CFA Society New York
- New York Bankers Association (NYBA)
- New York Government Finance Officers’ Association (NYSGFOA)
Which SUNY school is best for finance?
The best SUNY school for finance is CUNY Baruch College
Does finance require a lot of math?
Of course, finance requires maths, but not the very cumbersome ones, some of the main math-related skills that the financial industry requires are mental arithmetic (“fast math”), algebra, trigonometry, statistics, and probability. A basic understanding of these skills should be good enough and can qualify you for most finance jobs.
Is accounting or finance better?
This answer depends on your preference, while an accounting degree allows for many more options, finance majors have courses more focused on financial services and consultancy. Finance is a great choice for those students who want to manage the current and future financials of a company or organization.
What jobs can you get with a finance degree?
Although we have talked about this in the salary outlook in this guide, with a finance degree, you can become a Fintech business analyst, an impact investing analyst, or even a commercial banker.
Conclusion
Choosing the right finance program can be a difficult decision, the best way to find a program that is the right fit for you is by looking at your desired career and what type of education it requires.
If you are interested in learning more about these schools, make sure to visit our blog post so you can see what each school has to offer and get all the information on how you can apply today!
References:
- Finance Programs and Careers in New York: https://www.financedegreeprograms.com/schools/new-york/
- Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
- US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
- Finance Job Outlook: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ny.htm
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