Best Schools for Finance in the World 2024

Finance is a major part of one's life, be it about handling one's finances or others'. Finance gives one the opportunity to understand how to deal with and manage funds, be it on a smaller level or large. To become a financial guru or manager, it's important to be equipped with the right resources to guide others. One of the best ways would be to have a degree in finance, which will open doors of opportunities, ensuring a successful career in this area. Ready to manage your finances? Check out our list of the best schools for finance in the world to choose the right one for you.

List of Best Schools for Finance in the World

In this blog, we will be covering some of the best schools for finance in the world that will help you in deciding your financial future. Students can choose a specialisation in finance as per the level of degree they are looking for. Finance at UG and PG level offers a wide range of specialisation programs for students to choose from. Some of these include corporate finance, international finance, behavioural finance, investment analysis and banking, risk assessments, personal finance, etc. You can decide the specialisation that suits you the best as per your plans. But as of now, let's take a look at the list of top 10 best finance universities in the world.

1. Harvard University

City - Cambridge, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate - 4%
Average Tuition Fee - $55,000 - $$60,000
Year of Establishment - 1636
Placement Percentage- 61%
Admission Exam - ACT or SAT
Harvard University is considered one of the best schools for finance, whose reputation speaks for itself. With a history of graduating some of the greatest minds of all time. What makes it the part of the best finance schools in the world is its unique approach to teaching finance by using real-life examples. It is part of the Ivy League Universities. The University has a QS World University Ranking of #4, which makes it one of the best universities for finance in the world. 

2. Stanford University

City - Stanford, California
Acceptance Rate - 3.9%
Average Tuition Fee - $55,000 - $60,000
Year of Establishment - 1885
Placement Percentage - 71%
Admission Exam - ACT or SAT
Stanford can be synonymous to being the best University for banking and finance, with a faculty of more than 2000 and a student body of more than 17,000, Stanford University is considered one of the best schools to study in the world. The University has been standing tall for the past 150 years by educating students to live a life of purpose and leadership. With a QS ranking of #5, Stanford University offers a wide range of subjects for students to choose from. 

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

City - Cambridge, United States
Acceptance Rate - 4%
Average Tuition Fee - $75,000 - $83,000
Year of Establishment - 1861
Placement Percentage - 83.80%
Admission Exam - SAT or ACT
Another on our list of best schools for finance is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which offers an action lab for students where they can solve real-life problems that companies in various countries are facing. The University also conducts timely finance quizzes and competitions. Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers some of the best finance graduate programs. Hence, students get great job opportunities to make their career in this field with the best finance degree in the world.

4. University of Oxford 

City - Oxford, England
Acceptance Rate - 17.5%
Average Tuition Fee - £33,050 - £48,620
Year of Establishment - 1096
Placement Percentage - 91% 
Admission Exam - CAT, ELAT, GAT and MAT
The University of Oxford perfectly fits our list of the best colleges for finance in the world. with a QS ranking of #2. Known for providing world-class education and research facilities, the University of Oxford has been offering a wide range of courses to students. With more than 26,000 students studying currently, the University is growing rapidly in terms of staff and students as well. It also provides comprehensive career support to its finance students including workshops, personalised counselling and many more things . 

5. University of Chicago

City - Chicago, Illinois
Acceptance Rate - 6.5%
Average Tuition Fee - $63,801 - $63,801
Year of Establishment - 1890
Placement Percentage - 88.70%
Admission Exam - GMAT & GRE
The University of Chicago has made its way to our list of the best schools for finance. With tough competition and a challenging acceptance rate, this University is ranked as the #1 best school and #1 part-time MBA. It has one of the top masters in finance programs. Therefore, it is considered one of the best finance schools in the world for its unique and amazing approach to teaching and learning. 

6. University of Cambridge

City - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Acceptance Rate - 21%
Average Tuition Fee - £24,507 - £64,000
Year of Establishment - 1209
Placement percent - 95%
Admission Exam - CAT & MLAT
The University of Cambridge is considered one of the best schools for finance, offering top-class education in the field. This public University in Cambridge is known for its research programs and has a history of bringing change in society through its various ventures. It is one of the top finance schools that organises various events and recreational activities for students to understand the core problems of society in the field of finance. 

7. London Schools of Economics and Political Science

City - London, England
Acceptance Rate - 8.9%
Average Tuition Fee - £26,784 - £32,000
Year of Establishment - 1895
Placement percent - 93.1% 
Admission Exam - UGAA
Our list of the best schools for finance is just growing bigger and bigger with the latest edition of The London School of Economics and Political Science. LSE has reached this point by achieving many milestones in the field of education and research. The University is also working for the betterment of society by letting its student body research and study real-life examples in the fields of finance and investment. 

8. University of Pennsylvania

City - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate - 5.9%
Average Tuition Fee - $66,104 - $70,000
Year of Establishment - 1740
Placement percentage- 78%
Admission Exam - ACT & SAT
Another one on our list of the best schools for finance is the University of Pennsylvania, with a QS ranking of #12, the University ensures that students will get the best opportunities in the finance field. It is considered one of the best finance schools in the world for its incredible teaching process, which ensures that students get hands-on experience in the field. 

9.  University of California

City - Berkeley, California
Acceptance Rate - 10.8%
Average Tuition Fee - $34,200 - $40,000
Year of Establishment - 1868
Placement Percentage - 74.50%
Admission Exam - ACT, SAT, AP & IB
The University of California, Berkeley, is known for its exceptional academic programs and research programs. This is one of the best finance schools in the world that attracts students from worldwide. It has a QS ranking of #29 for its incredible education programs and teaching facilities that produce great minds every year. If you are planning to study in the USA but wondering about the potential reasons, then refer to our blog Why study in the USA to get the answers to all your questions. 

10. New York University 

City - New York
Acceptance Rate - 13%
Average Tuition Fee - $60,438 - $70,000
Year of Establishment - 1831
Placement Percentage - 85.90%
Admission Exam - GMAT, LSAT, MCAT
NYU is known for producing innovative ideas and teaching them for the betterment of society. The University takes pride in welcoming students from different backgrounds. It is considered one of the best schools for finance because of its distinguished teaching approach. NYU provides education to more than 65,000 students every year with its outstanding programs. Planning to move to New York? Here's our New York student guide for you to make your way through the city.

Career Opportunities in Accounting and Finance 

Accounting and finance, two prominent FAME subjects, offer versatile and well-paying career paths for those interested in financial management. Many graduates secure good jobs in these fields shortly studying from the best colleges for accounting and finance. Opportunities exist in various sectors, including private businesses, government, and individual consultancy. To better understand the career options, we will explore the employment opportunities in accounting and finance separately.

Career Opportunities in Accounting 

• Trainee, public, professional or certified accountant
• Tax Advisor
• Treasurer
• Stockbroker
• Financial Consultant
• Insurance broker
• Bookkeeper
• Auditor
• Credit Controller

Career Opportunities in Finance

• Investment banker
• Commercial banker
• Stockbroker
• Payroll manager
• Financial Consultant 
• Hedge fund manager
• Insurance officer 

The top schools for finance are recognized for their exceptional academic rigor, cutting-edge research, and strong industry connections. Institutions like the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and the London School of Economics lead the way by providing comprehensive education that blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience. These schools prepare students to excel in the dynamic global financial markets, making them the premier choice for aspiring finance professionals.