The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is often considered the premiere institution for business students. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report ranked Wharton as the top finance program in the country. In addition to finance, Wharton students may pursue graduate studies in marketing, business administration, and accounting, among others. Generally, it is considered one of the best business schools of its kind in the world.
As an Ivy League school, Wharton is highly selective and a competitive application may include high GPA, work history, and a high GMAT score. Graduating from Wharton may not only make you a competitive job applicant but you will have the benefit of a wide network in the finance field.
The Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University is world renowned for its distinguished professors, rigid curriculum and ample networking opportunities. This is largely due to the school's proximity to the financial district in New York City which is also a valuable tool for students to exercise their skills and gain practical work experience.
Stern is consistently ranked among the top graduate programs in finance. Most recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Stern in the top three for its master's in finance program. In addition, Stern boasts, "the largest and one of the most distinguished finance faculty groups in the world" whose members "are leaders in research and in textbook publication in their fields." One of those faculty members, Andrew Michael Spence, is a Nobel Laureate formerly of Princeton University.
According Stern, a competitive applicant may have a GMAT score of 717, a 3.5 undergraduate GPA, and an average of 4.7 years of work experience.
The Bendheim Center for Finance at Princeton University is another Ivy League school offering one of the best programs in the U.S. The program can be completed in two or four semesters and does not require work experience. In addition, Bendheim alumni also enjoy extensive career and placement support, and networking opportunities.
The program is composed of two core areas of focus: mathematics and financial analysis. Classes for the program may include economics, finance, statistics, and financial analysis. The Bendheim Center requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate.
In keeping with the program's interdisciplinary approach, Princeton's master's in finance program includes components and materials from various departments at Princeton including the Departments of Economics, Computer Science, and Mathematics.