Top Finance & Accounting Universities in USA (2026)
Top universities for Finance, Accounting, FinTech and Investment masters in USA. We rank 420 universities by QS standing, fees, scholarships and post-study work outcomes for international students.
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Finance & Accounting shortlist
For USA applicants
Adelphi University
📍 New York, United States
Albertus Magnus College
📍 New Haven, United States
Alvernia University
📍 Reading, United States
American Collegiate, Washington
American University in Cairo
📍 Cairo, United States
Arkansas State University
📍 Arkansas, United States
Auburn University at Montgomery
📍 Montgomery, United States
Augustana University
📍 Sioux Falls, United States
Austin College
📍 Sherman, United States
Austin Community College District
📍 Austin, United States
Avila University
📍 Kansas City, United States
Azusa Pacific University
📍 California, United States
Babson College
📍 Massachusetts, United States
Barcelona Graduate School of Economics
📍 Barcelona, United States
Baruch College
📍 New York City, United States
Bellarmine University
📍 Louisville, United States
Belmont University
📍 Nashville, United States
Benedictine University
📍 Chicago, United States
Berk Trade and Business School
📍 New York, United States
Berkeley College
Bethel College
Binghamton University
📍 New York, United States
Blackburn College
📍 Carlinville, United States
Booth School of Business
Boston University Questrom School of Business
📍 Boston, United States
More top courses in USA
An MS in finance in the USA costs about $62,736 in tuition and per-credit fees at UT Dallas (about ₹60 lakh) and $76,443 including campus fees for the Illinois MSF (about ₹73 lakh). Georgia Tech requires the GRE or GMAT, while Illinois and UT Dallas make it optional. STEM OPT depends on the CIP code on your I-20, because ordinary finance codes are not on the DHS list.
What is an MS in finance in the USA, and how does it differ from an MBA, MS accounting and financial engineering?
Business and management is the third most common field of study for international students in the United States, at 14% in 2024/25, behind mathematics and computer science at 26% and engineering at 18% (Open Doors 2025, read 26 September 2026); India sent 363,019 students overall, the largest group. An MS in finance (MSF) is a one- to two-year master's without the work-experience requirement of an MBA, covering corporate finance, valuation, derivatives and risk, typically in about 36 credits.
Three neighbouring degrees are easy to confuse. A quantitative or computational finance MS (Georgia Tech's MS-QCF) expects calculus, linear algebra, probability and programming. An MS in accounting prepares you for the CPA route. A financial engineering MS, such as Illinois's at $47,100 a year (about ₹45 lakh), is the most quantitative. The choice matters because cost per credit differs widely and the code on your I-20 decides whether you get 12 or 36 months of OPT.
How much does an MS in finance cost in the USA in 2026-27?
Published 2026-27 international rates read on each university's own pages on 26 September 2026. Some programmes publish a full-degree figure; others bill per credit or per semester, so the table shows what the page states and, where the credit count is on the catalogue page, the arithmetic.
| Programme | USD | Approx. INR | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois, Master of Science in Finance (international, Fall 2026 to Fall 2027) | $76,443 for three semesters | ₹73.2 lakh | Tuition $67,800 (₹65.0 lakh) plus campus fees $8,643 (₹8.3 lakh); $1,750 (₹1.68 lakh) deposit is credited to the first bill. This is the 2026-27 cohort price; the page says tuition changes every year |
| UT Dallas, MS Finance (non-resident, 9 credits a semester), Variable Tuition Plan 2026-27 | $15,684 a semester · $62,736 for four semesters | ₹15.0 lakh a semester · ₹60.1 lakh | Tuition $14,784 (₹14.2 lakh) plus $100 (₹9,600) per credit management fee; the catalogue lists 36 credits; mandatory fees are extra |
| UT Dallas, MS Finance, fixed-rate plan 2026-27 (new students who choose it) | $17,557 a semester ($16,657 + $900 fee) · about $70,228 for four semesters | ₹16.8 lakh a semester · ₹67.3 lakh | Same 9-credit load, with tuition $16,657 (₹16.0 lakh) plus a $900 (₹86,200) fee; rate held for 12 consecutive semesters; mandatory fees extra |
| Georgia Tech, MS in Quantitative and Computational Finance (out-of-country rate) | $1,829 per credit · $21,935 a semester (12+ credits) | ₹1.75 lakh per credit · ₹21.0 lakh | Traditional track finishes in 1.5 years, plus mandatory fees |
| Northeastern, D'Amore-McKim School of Business graduate programmes | $1,931 per credit + $1,600 programme fee | ₹1.85 lakh per credit + ₹1.5 lakh | Programme fee billed in year 1; multiply by the credits on the programme page |
| Illinois, MS in Financial Engineering | $47,100 a year | ₹45.1 lakh | Annual 2026-27 international rate (quantitative programme) |
| Illinois, MAS in Accounting Science (entered Fall 2026 or later) | $43,596 a year | ₹41.8 lakh | Accounting route |
| Purdue, Daniels School of Business (MS Accounting, MBA, MSIA and MSHR rate, international) | $41,610 a year | ₹39.9 lakh | Includes $12,416 (₹11.9 lakh) differential and $400 (₹38,300) international fee |
| F-1 visa fee + SEVIS I-901 fee | $185 + $350 | ₹17,700 + ₹33,500 | Paid once before the visa interview |
Sources: Gies MSF tuition page; UT Dallas Bursar and catalogue; Georgia Tech Bursar; Northeastern student finance; Illinois Registrar; Purdue Bursar; State Department fee page; ICE I-901 page; all read 26 Sep 2026. $1 = ₹95.8.
What are the entry requirements and deadlines for an MS in finance in the USA?
Three finance programmes read on their own admissions pages on 26 September 2026. Fall 2027 dates are those the pages publish; programme pages override these general rules.
| Programme | Fall 2027 deadlines | GPA and background | GRE / GMAT | English minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois, MSF (Gies) | 28 Oct 2026 · 13 Jan 2027 · 31 Mar 2027 · 5 May 2027 (final for international applicants) | GPA 3.0/4.0; courses in accounting, economics, calculus, statistics and financial management expected, gaps fixable after admission; video essay and two reference letters | Admissions page: optional. The 2026-27 catalogue still says required, so confirm before you apply | Full status: TOEFL 103 or IELTS 7.5; limited status: TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5 with an English placement test |
| UT Dallas, MS Finance (Jindal) | 1 May 2027 (Fall); 1 Oct (Spring); 1 Mar (Summer) | Any bachelor's degree; GPA 3.0; calculus and statistics or the matching prerequisite courses; one recommendation letter, essay and resume | Not required; used only if submitted | TOEFL iBT 80, scores under two years old |
| Georgia Tech, MS-QCF | 15 Oct 2026 (early) · 5 Dec 2026 · 15 Mar 2027 (final, international applicants outside the US) | Calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, probability and statistics; programming strongly preferred; three recommenders; interview for competitive candidates | GRE or GMAT required | Institute minimum IELTS 7 or TOEFL 90 (4.5 new scale); medium-of-instruction proof accepted |
Sources: Gies MSF admissions page and Illinois catalogue; UT Dallas fact sheet, catalogue and Bursar; Georgia Tech MS-QCF requirements and English proficiency page; all read 26 Sep 2026. Application fees: Illinois $90 (about ₹8,600), Georgia Tech QCF $105 (about ₹10,100) for international applicants.
How do Indian BCom, BBA and BSc degrees, CA, the GMAT and education loans work for finance applications?
- BCom, BBA, BA economics and BSc maths or statistics: UT Dallas considers all bachelor's majors for its MS Finance, so a BCom or BBA is not a barrier. Its catalogue asks for calculus and statistics, which many Indian commerce degrees skip; applicants can cover them through the OPRE 6303 and OPRE 6301 prerequisite courses.
- Quantitative programmes are different: a BCom with business maths alone is unlikely to be competitive at Georgia Tech's MS-QCF; BTech, BSc maths, statistics or economics with coding projects fit better.
- Three-year versus four-year degrees: the finance pages read state no rule for three-year Indian degrees, so write to the programme office before paying a fee. Illinois points international applicants to its Graduate College country requirements page.
- GMAT or GRE: optional at Illinois MSF and UT Dallas, required at Georgia Tech. Where optional, submit a score if it strengthens a thin quantitative record.
- CA, ACCA or CFA progress: none of the three finance pages read lists exemptions or credit for these qualifications. Mention them in your résumé and statement of purpose as evidence of commitment, not as a substitute for coursework.
- Funding: SBI's Global Ed-Vantage scheme, one example read on its own page on 26 September 2026, lends above ₹7.5 lakh up to ₹3 crore for full-time courses abroad, is collateral-free up to ₹50 lakh for select premier institutions and otherwise asks for tangible collateral. Non-bank and US-based lenders such as Prodigy and MPOWER do not rely on property collateral; they are examples, not recommendations, so compare rates and fees and check the current cap before you assume a figure.
- Backlogs and gaps: Illinois offers an optional essay and recommends it for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or lower, so explain backlogs there. Georgia Tech's QCF form has an optional 250-word space for gaps and weak grades.
How to apply for an MS in finance in the USA from India: timeline for Fall 2027
The first Fall 2027 deadline in this guide is Georgia Tech QCF's early round on 15 October 2026. A NexStudy counsellor can sanity-check your shortlist, but each programme decides separately.
Now to mid-October 2026: choose the programme type
Decide between a general MSF, a quantitative finance degree, a FinTech or financial analytics degree, or accounting. Check the credit count, the CIP code on your I-20 and whether a GRE or GMAT is required.
October 2026: early rounds
Georgia Tech QCF's early round closes on 15 October and Illinois MSF Round 1 on 28 October 2026, with a decision by 18 December 2026. Illinois moves your file to the next round if letters or scores arrive more than 7 days late.
November–December 2026: tests and essays
Book the GMAT or GRE if you will submit one, and IELTS or TOEFL; Illinois requires scores dated after 1 August 2025. Illinois asks for a 300–500-word academic statement and two 250-word personal statements; Georgia Tech wants a 750-word essay.
December 2026–January 2027: standard rounds
Georgia Tech QCF standard round closes 5 December 2026 and Illinois Round 2 on 13 January 2027, with decisions by 26 February. Prepare for the Illinois video component, three questions answered in 3 minutes.
March–May 2027: final international rounds
Georgia Tech's final international round is 15 March 2027, Illinois Round 3 is 31 March and its final international round is 5 May 2027. UT Dallas closes on 1 May 2027.
After the offer: deposit, I-20, visa
Illinois asks for a non-refundable $1,750 deposit (about ₹1.68 lakh) and a Declaration and Certification of Finances before issuing the I-20. Upload the loan sanction letter or other proof of funds, pay the $350 SEVIS fee (about ₹33,500) and $185 visa fee (about ₹17,700), about ₹51,000 together, complete the DS-160 and book the interview. Check current Liberalised Remittance Scheme and tax collection rules with your bank.
Summer 2027: housing and internships
Off-campus work during the degree needs authorisation such as curricular practical training; confirm with the school official before accepting a summer role.
Is an MS in finance in the USA a STEM degree for the 24-month OPT extension?
Not automatically. The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (updated 22 July 2024, read 26 September 2026) names the programmes by Classification of Instructional Programs code. In the business series (52) it lists only Management Science, Business Statistics, Actuarial Science and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other. It does not list general finance or accounting codes. It does list Financial Mathematics, Financial Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics and Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
So a general finance code earns 12 months of OPT, while a quantitative finance, financial analytics or financial mathematics degree may earn 36. UT Dallas's 2026 catalogue calls its 36-credit MS Finance a STEM degree programme, but only the code on your own I-20 counts. Ask the international office for it in writing before you pay a deposit.
What does official US labour data say about finance jobs?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (read 26 September 2026) reports national figures. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry qualification for all three; financial managers also need five years or more of experience.
| Occupation | Jobs in 2025 | Median pay, May 2025 | Growth 2025–35 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial analysts | 443,100 | $103,570 (≈ ₹99.2 lakh); financial risk specialists $117,330 (≈ ₹1.12 crore) | 7% | 29,500 |
| Accountants and auditors | 1,595,200 | $83,680 (≈ ₹80.2 lakh) | 5% | 115,300 |
| Financial managers | 879,700 | $166,570 (≈ ₹1.60 crore) | 10% | 65,600 |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, pages for financial analysts, accountants and auditors, and financial managers. These are national figures for all workers, not offers to new international graduates. $1 = ₹95.8.
Which professional credentials can follow an MS in finance: CFA and the US CPA?
The CFA Program has three exams. CFA Institute says it takes three to four years, recommends 300 hours of study per level and requires 4,000 hours of relevant work experience over at least 36 months. Its pages put the total exam cost at $3,520 to $4,570 (about ₹3.4–4.4 lakh) for 2026 exams, with Level I starting at $1,140 (about ₹1.09 lakh) if you register early. The overview mentions no exemption for a master's degree, so a US MSF does not shorten the exam path.
The Uniform CPA Exam can be taken in India. NASBA says you apply through a participating US jurisdiction, receive a Notice to Schedule, then pay an additional international fee, which is $460 per section for India (about ₹44,100; four sections, about $1,840 or ₹1.76 lakh, on top of board fees). Education rules are set by each board; the District of Columbia, one example, requires 150 semester hours, including 24 in accounting, and a NASBA international evaluation. Check whether your Indian bachelor's and a US master's reach 150 hours in your chosen state before choosing a master's.
How long can you work after an MS in finance: OPT, the H-1B and the proclamation payment?
Post-completion OPT gives up to 12 months of work directly related to your major. USCIS's OPT page, read 26 September 2026, says that if you transfer to another school or begin studies at another educational level, for example a master's after a bachelor's degree, your authorisation to engage in OPT employment will automatically terminate. Plan any second degree around that rule.
The H-1B cap is 65,000 a year plus 20,000 petitions for holders of a US master's or higher. The USCIS cap-season page says H-1B specialty occupations may include fields such as "business specialties, accounting, law" among others, though your employer must still show the role needs a degree in a directly related specialty. Employers register you for $215 (about ₹20,600), and from fiscal year 2027 selection is weighted by wage level IV through I with 4, 3, 2 and 1 entries. A Presidential Proclamation also created a $100,000 payment (about ₹95.8 lakh) for certain new H-1B petitions. The USCIS fee schedule page, read 26 September 2026, states that on 8 June 2026 a federal district court vacated the agency guidance implementing that payment, that the First Circuit denied the government's stay motion on 24 July 2026, and that DHS will comply for now but still plans to collect the payment if the order is later lifted. Reread it before your employer registers you. ICE also notes a 17 July 2026 final rule setting a fixed period of admission for F students, so check your I-20 end date.
Read the CIP code and the credit count before you compare finance fees
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MS in finance cost in the USA in rupees?
Published 2026-27 costs run from about $62,736 for 36 credits at UT Dallas on its variable plan (about ₹60 lakh) to $76,443 including campus fees for the three-semester Illinois MSF (about ₹73 lakh). Georgia Tech's quantitative finance MS is $1,829 per credit (about ₹1.75 lakh). Add housing, food and insurance.
Is the GMAT or GRE required for an MS in finance in the USA?
It depends on the school. UT Dallas does not require either and uses a score only if you send one; the Illinois MSF admissions page says submission is optional; Georgia Tech's quantitative finance MS requires a GRE or GMAT. Check whether the programme catalogue and admissions page agree, because Illinois lists them differently.
Is an MS in finance in the USA STEM-designated for the 24-month OPT extension?
Only if the CIP code on the I-20 is on the DHS STEM list. The list includes financial mathematics, financial analytics, business analytics, actuarial science and management science, but no general finance or accounting code. UT Dallas says its 36-credit MS Finance is a STEM degree; get the code in writing.
Can a BCom or BBA graduate from India do an MS in finance in the USA?
Yes at many programmes. UT Dallas considers all bachelor's majors with a GPA of 3.0 and, per its catalogue, calculus and statistics, which can be completed as prerequisite courses. Georgia Tech's MS-QCF expects calculus, linear algebra and programming, so a BCom alone is a weak fit there.
Does a US master's in finance give exemptions from the CFA exams?
The CFA Institute pages read describe passing all three exams and 4,000 hours of work experience over at least 36 months, and do not mention degree-based exemptions. Total exam fees are $3,520 to $4,570 (about ₹3.4–4.4 lakh) for 2026 exams, and the programme takes three to four years.
Can I sit the US CPA exam from India after an MS in accounting?
Yes, the exam is administered in India. You apply through a participating US state board and pay NASBA an extra $460 per section for India (about ₹44,100). Boards such as the District of Columbia require 150 semester hours, 24 in accounting, so check your total credits first.
Is there a fintech master's in the USA for Indian students?
Yes. UT Dallas offers a 36-credit MS in Financial Technology and Analytics, fall entry only, with a 1 May deadline, GRE or GMAT optional, TOEFL 80 and prior calculus, linear algebra, statistics and programming. It calls the degree STEM, but special tuition applies and only the I-20 code counts.
What is the difference between an MS in finance and quantitative finance in the USA?
An MSF teaches corporate finance, investments and risk with modest maths, and may admit any bachelor's degree, as at UT Dallas. Quantitative finance, like Georgia Tech's MS-QCF at $1,829 per credit (about ₹1.75 lakh), requires calculus, linear algebra and programming, asks for a GRE or GMAT and may carry a STEM code.
Official sources used on this page
- Gies College of Business — MSF tuition and scholarships (2026-27) — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · checked 26 September 2026
- Gies College of Business — Master's in Finance admissions — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Illinois Catalog — Finance, MS (2026-27) — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Illinois Registrar — 2026-27 graduate and professional tuition rates — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · checked 26 September 2026
- UT Dallas Bursar — Tuition rates 2026-27 (non-resident graduate) — The University of Texas at Dallas · checked 26 September 2026
- UT Dallas Graduate Catalog 2026 — Master of Science in Finance — The University of Texas at Dallas · checked 26 September 2026
- UT Dallas Graduate Catalog 2026 — Master of Science in Financial Technology and Analytics — The University of Texas at Dallas · checked 26 September 2026
- UT Dallas — Master of Science in Financial Technology and Analytics fact sheet — The University of Texas at Dallas · checked 26 September 2026
- UT Dallas — Master of Science in Finance fact sheet — The University of Texas at Dallas · checked 26 September 2026
- Georgia Tech Bursar — Fall 2026 tuition and fee rates per semester — Georgia Institute of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- Georgia Tech MS-QCF — Application requirements and deadlines — Georgia Institute of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- Georgia Tech Graduate Education — English proficiency — Georgia Institute of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- Northeastern University — Tuition and fees (graduate per-credit rates) — Northeastern University · checked 26 September 2026
- Purdue University Bursar — Graduate tuition and fees 2026-27 (Daniels School rates) — Purdue University · checked 26 September 2026
- DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (updated 22 July 2024) — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 26 September 2026
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial analysts — US Bureau of Labor Statistics · checked 26 September 2026
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Accountants and auditors — US Bureau of Labor Statistics · checked 26 September 2026
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial managers — US Bureau of Labor Statistics · checked 26 September 2026
- CFA Institute — CFA Program — CFA Institute · checked 26 September 2026
- NASBA — CPA Exam international administration — National Association of State Boards of Accountancy · checked 26 September 2026
- NASBA — International Evaluation Services — National Association of State Boards of Accountancy · checked 26 September 2026
- NASBA — District of Columbia CPA licensure requirements — National Association of State Boards of Accountancy · checked 26 September 2026
- USCIS — Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students — US Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 26 September 2026
- USCIS — STEM OPT extension — US Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 26 September 2026
- USCIS — H-1B cap season (FY 2027 weighted selection) — US Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 26 September 2026
- USCIS — Fee schedule G-1055 (edition 09/09/26) and H-1B payment litigation alert — US Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 26 September 2026
- ICE SEVP — I-901 SEVIS fee — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 26 September 2026
- US Department of State — Fees for visa services — US Department of State · checked 26 September 2026
- Open Doors 2025 — International students in the United States (2024/25) — Institute of International Education / US Department of State · checked 26 September 2026
- SBI — Global Ed-Vantage overseas education loan — State Bank of India · checked 26 September 2026
- Wise — USD to INR mid-market rate — Wise · checked 26 September 2026
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