Finance Programs and Careers in New York

This guide provides information on New York colleges and universities that offer degrees in finance and related fields that qualify graduates for careers including financial analysts, loan officers, and financial managers. New York is a national and global hub for financial services and many colleges and universities in the state offer finance programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Available programs include bachelor’s degrees that can be completed in as few as four years and master’s degrees that can be completed in one to two years. Some schools also offer flexible weeknight or weekend classes and even online options. Those interested in the dynamic field of finance can find information on degrees and careers in finance in New York below.

Quick Facts

• There are 57 colleges and universities with finance degree programs in New York.¹
• 3 schools offer a certificate in finance.¹
• 1 school offers an associate’s degree in finance.¹
• 45 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in finance.¹
• 26 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in finance.¹
• 6 schools ranked in Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019.²
• 8 schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020.³
• 5 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021.⁴
• 5 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021.⁵

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with finance degree programs.

Table of Contents

• Comparison of Finance Programs
• Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in New York
• Select Schools in New York with Finance Degrees
• New York Finance Careers and Salary Outlook
• Finance Associations in New York

New York Finance Program Comparison

We have developed the following table to help you compare all of the finance programs in New York from not-for-profit schools that offer programs with a concentration in finance. In addition to allowing you to compare the business school’s accreditation, finance degrees that appear in bold are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Programs, those that have been recognized for curricula aligned to preparing for the CFA Exam.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Top-Ranked Schools with Finance Programs in New York

Forbes’ Best Business Schools 2019

• Columbia University (#7)
• Cornell University (#9)
• New York University (#20)
• University of Rochester (#42)
• University at Buffalo (#49)
• Fordham University (#58)

Georgetown CEW’s ROI Ranking by Long-Term Net Present Value 2019

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) has compared 4,500 colleges and universities on graduates’ return on investment (ROI). We use their net present value (NPV) ranking, which is the current dollar value of earning a four-year degree from the school over a 40-year horizon.

• Columbia University (#22; $1,769,000)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (#30; $1,687,000)
• Cornell University (#36; $1,607,000)
• Claremont McKenna College (#48; $1,516,000)
• Clarkson University (#56; $1,482,000)
• Manhattan College (#99; $1,333,000)
• Binghamton University (#114; $1,298,000)
• CUNY Baruch College (#128; $1,280,000)
• Rochester Institute of Technology (#139; $1,260,000)
• Molloy College (#151; $1,253,000)
• Syracuse University (#163; $1,233,000)⁷

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Business and Finance Majors 2020

• Alfred University
• CUNY Baruch College
• CUNY Brooklyn College
• Cornell University
• New York University
• Pace University
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Siena College

US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Finance Programs 2021

• New York University (#2)
• Cornell University (#13)
• Fordham University (#14 tie)
• Canisius College (#27 tie)
• Le Moyne College (#30 tie)

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Finance Programs 2021

• New York University (#3)
• Columbia University (#4)
• University of Rochester (#13 tie)
• Fordham University (#18)
• Cornell University (#21 tie)

Select Schools in New York with Finance Degrees

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Binghamton University, State University of New York

Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with concentrations in Finance or Quantitative Finance through the School of Management at Binghamton University, State University of New York (SUNY Binghamton). The Finance concentration has a greater focus on financial management, investments, and institutions while the Quantitative Finance concentration has a greater focus on applied analytics in theoretical and practical finance. In addition to business administration courses, finance students take electives such as Fixed Income Securities, Arbitrage Strategies, and Equity Research. Quantitative Finance students are required to complete a more math-intensive core, including courses like Differential Calculus, Infinite Series, and Linear Algebra. All students have access to career support and networking opportunities, including competitive internships.

Le Moyne College

Le Moyne College offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance through its Madden School of Business. Students choose from one of four concentration tracks: Corporate Finance; Investment Banking; Finance and Business Analytics; or Finance and Information Systems. Students also have the option to pursue dual majors in Finance and Business Analytics or Finance and Information Systems, which provide unique tracks to pursue careers at the intersections of finance and applied information management. The dual majors include additional required courses and electives compared to the concentration tracks. Academically competitive students can pursue the Finance major through the Dolphin Green & Gold Management track, which is an experience-focused program that emphasizes careers in analysis and investment banking in financial markets. All students have opportunities to study abroad with Le Moyne’s university and business partners in locations such as Beijing; Chennai, India; and Chicago.

Traditional Master’s Programs

University of Rochester

The Simon Business School at the University of Rochester teaches students how to excel in the global business market through the combination of an analytics-based curriculum and practical experience. The school’s Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program can be completed in an accelerated 10-month track or a 17-month track that includes an internship opportunity. During the MSF program, students study corporate finance, communication techniques, statistics, and economics. The finance program is STEM-designated, which encourages a global student body and learning environment. Students interested in earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can use credits from the MS program to transfer to Rochester’s MBA and Executive MBA programs.

Cornell University

Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business focuses on finance fundamentals while also emphasizing applied learning and real-world business experience. Cornell offers two Master of Business Administration (MBA) tracks with opportunities to concentrate in finance, a two-year program and an accelerated one-year option. The MBA program focuses on developing leadership and creative problem-solving skills, and students have the option of adding a “tech” specialty. Students can also combine an MBA with another graduate degree, such as a JD in law, Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate (with an option to concentrate in Real Estate Finance and Investments), or Master of Health Administration. Cornell, which is the largest Ivy League university, also has an extensive network of summer internships and hands-on learning opportunities. With thorough training in problem-solving and leadership, the majority of Cornell MBA graduates are employed by the time they finish the program.

University at Buffalo

The Finance Department within the School of Management at the University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Financial Management and a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) with a concentration in either Financial Management or Quantitative Finance. SUNY Buffalo’s programs focus on the principles of markets while providing opportunities to learn in the field. The programs are additionally designed around the needs of working professionals, seeking to provide work-life-study balance throughout the curriculum. All students can gain practical experience in the school’s Terese Kelly Investment Group, which is an endowment fund with real money for students to invest. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree can pursue an undergraduate major in Financial Analysis at SUNY Buffalo and find real-world experience in internships.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Pace University

Pace University’s Lubin School of Business offers an online Master of Science in Finance for Professionals (MSF-P). The accelerated program requires 36 credit hours to complete. Most of the classes and coursework are completed online, with six immersive weekends spaced out over the year. The MSF-P degree is designed for students who want to sustain their career momentum while also pursuing an advanced finance degree. The coursework is project-based, with students working in team scenarios and consultant roles. Applicants ideally have three years of experience in finance or a background in a quantitative industry. Pace also offers on-campus programs leading to a Master of Science (MS) in Financial Management; Master of Science (MS) in Financial Risk Management; or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Financial Management, International Finance, or Financial Management-Investment Management.

Metropolitan College of New York

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Financial Services program at the Metropolitan College of New York is a flexible finance-focused option for those already in the industry. The MBA in Financial Services focuses on project-centered learning and the future of financial markets. The New York City-based program typically takes a year to complete, with some courses on campus and some courses available online. For students with an educational background in business and a strong transcript, up to 12 prerequisite credits out of 45 may be waived. Finance degree students study the foundations of the financial field, and the tuition includes a 10-day study abroad program outside of the US in a real-world business environment.

New York Finance Careers and Salary Outlook

The state of New York is home to many major financial institutions and well-known companies. These national and international businesses offer diverse opportunities in the field of finance, from financial analyst positions to corporate accountants. New York City is a major financial hub, with numerous organizations tied to the New York Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange by market value in the world. Investment and financial companies like American Express, Apollo Global Management, Citigroup, and JP Morgan Chase are headquartered in the city, as well as numerous other financial services companies. Major companies that regularly hire finance grads, from HBO to Pfizer, also have headquarters in New York.

In the coming years, financial operations occupations are projected to grow in the United States, and New York is one of the top states for growth.⁸ For example, New York has the second-highest employment level of financial analysts as well as the highest mean wage for these professionals in the nation, at $132,290 annually.⁹ Job growth for financial analysts in New York is expected to reach 9.7% through 2028, with a projected 5,400 average annual openings including replacements.⁸ Personal financial advisors in New York also earn a high mean wage compared to other states, at $166,790 annually, and this occupation is expected to grow by 11% in New York between 2018 and 2028, with 2,800 average annual openings including replacements.^8,10 Financial managers, loan officers, and other business operations specialists in New York also earn competitive salaries compared to national averages with positive growth for these occupations projected over the next decade.^8,11

New York Finance Job Information

Finance Associations in New York

• Association for Financial Professionals Western New York (AFPWNY): Professional organization providing educational opportunities and open exchange between financial professionals, with conferences and meetings in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Finger Lakes regions.
• CFA Society New York: Leading professional organization for the investment industry, encouraging exchange of information and networking among investment professionals, with over 10,000 members.
• New York Bankers’ Association (NYBA): Founded in 1894, offers banking industry professionals leadership and advocacy as well as educational programs and professional networking events.
• New York Government Finance Officers’ Association (NYSGFOA): Provides seminars, professional development, and information on trends centered on the specialized field of government finance.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-finance
5. US News & World Report Best Graduate Finance Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/finance-rankings
6. US News & World Report Best Business Schools 2021: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/
8. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/projections/longterm
9. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes132098.htm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Personal Financial Advisors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, New York: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ny.htm