Master of Science in Finance

Financial analyst, investment banker, portfolio manager, CFO—whatever your career goals in finance, UIC Business’s Master of Science in Finance program gets you there. STEM-designated, AACSB-accredited, and located near Chicago’s financial district, this program equips you for advanced roles in finance.

  • Best Value Our No.1 Best Value ranking in Illinois gives you a high-quality education with an affordable investment.

  • Flexibility Take your classes online, in-person or the right combination for your life.

  • Powerful Network Our convenient location and 52,000 strong network gives you access to the companies and alumni to help advance your career.

Degree-at-a-Glance Heading link

Completion Time 1-2 Years
Credit Hours 32
Degree Type AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Finance
Course Delivery In-person or Online

Why Earn Your Master's in Finance at UIC Business? Heading link

A master’s degree in finance from UIC Business means opportunity. With comprehensive study, faculty mentorship, specialized tracks and practical experiences, UIC Business’s MSF program positions you for success in any aspect of finance.

  • Industry-Experienced Faculty
    Learn from faculty who bring real-world experience to the classroom, ensuring you receive both academic and practical insights.
  • A State-of-the-Art Virtual Trading Center
    Get experience with Bloomberg terminals, advanced industry software and academic research in our Market Training Lab.
  • A Fast-Paced and Flexible MSF Program
    Complete your master’s degree in finance in one year of full-time study or study part time — whatever works best for your schedule and commitments.
  • Graduate Student Organizations and Activities
    Participate in activities like investment challenge competitions against other universities and attend talks by Chicago finance professionals sponsored by the Graduate Finance and Investment Group.

MSF Careers and Outcomes Heading link

Master’s in finance jobs can be found in almost every industry. Specific master’s in finance careers include:

  • Financial analyst
  • Portfolio manager
  • Risk manager
  • Corporate finance manager
  • Investment banker
  • Commercial banker
  • Treasury analyst
  • Quantitative analyst
  • 94 % of recent MSF graduates were employed within six months of graduation

  • 82 k Average Starting Salary

Earning Your Degree Heading link

Credits and Courses

The MSF program is 32 credit hours in length composed of 12 credits of required courses and 20 electives.

Core curriculum:

  • Investments
  • Corporate finance
  • International finance
  • Financial modeling
  • Money and banking Visit the course catalog for detailed degree requirements.

Tuition

UIC Business is part of a public research university, so tuition and fees vary by residency. Because our programs offer flexible options, our tuition varies based on the number of classes you are taking each semester. To calculate your tuition and fees, please visit the Tuition Information page.

Don’t forget, UIC Business offers scholarships and partial tuition waivers. Ask an admissions representative about our many options to help you afford your education.

Master of Science in Finance Concentrations Heading link

Tailor your master’s degree in finance to your specific interests and career goals. Choose from the following tracks:

Prepare for careers in financial management, corporate development, financial analysis and more with courses in financial strategy and corporate valuation.

Learn to manage investment portfolios and strategies, focusing on risk management and asset allocation.

Learn to navigate financial markets, manage risks and make informed trading decisions to maximize returns and safeguard investments.

Explore the dynamics of banking institutions and capital markets, preparing for careers in commercial and investment banking.

Admissions Heading link

UIC Business MSF Students working on a project on their laptop.

At UIC, we have a holistic admissions process that considers undergraduate record, resume, letters of recommendation and more. Please visit the Admissions and Requirement process page for more information.

GMAT/GRE

GMAT/GRE test waivers available upon request for all masters’ degrees.

 

Graduate Application Deadlines Heading link

Apr 1 2025

Fall 2025 International

Tuesday, 12:00 am–11:59 pm
Jul 1 2025

Fall 2025 Domestic

Tuesday, 12:00 am–11:59 pm

Master's in Finance Degree FAQ Heading link

A master’s in finance (MSF) degree provides advanced knowledge of financial theory, markets and instruments to prepare you for advanced finance careers.

If you are looking to pursue a rewarding career in finance, a master’s in finance degree is worth it. Graduates with an MS in finance often go on to find rewarding and diverse career opportunities. In fact, 94% of 2022 MSF program graduates from UIC Business were employed within six months of graduation and earned an average starting salary of $82,000.

With a master’s in finance, you can pursue careers in various industries, including roles as financial analysts, portfolio managers and risk managers. You can also go on to positions in corporate finance, commercial banking and investment banking.

Shivani Brahme, MSF '21

“The MSF program is meticulously designed to be the perfect blend of concepts in finance and their applicability to the real world. The benefits of this program include the range of electives that allow you to tailor the program according to the career path you aspire. Faculty members have worked in the finance industry for years, and I have developed my professional skills by learning from them. Overall, my experience at UIC has been memorable and I have built valuable and long-lasting connections.”

Shivani Brahme, Analyst, Goldman Sachs  |  MSF ’21