Picking the right college for studying finance and accounting is crucial for a bright future in managing money and understanding business finances. Here’s a list of the 25 best colleges for finance in the US for 2024, with all the details you need to know in simple terms.
1. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Requirements: Top grades, excellent SAT/ACT scores, strong essays, and extracurricular activities.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often land high-paying jobs in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Wharton offers world-class finance and accounting programs with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
GPA: 4.0
Median SAT: 1530
Median ACT: 35
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Requirements: Excellent academic record, high SAT/ACT scores, strong recommendations, and essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: MIT offers rigorous finance and accounting programs with a strong emphasis on quantitative skills and technology. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
3. University of Chicago (Booth School of Business)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1480
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also advance to leadership roles.
Academic Highlights: Booth provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
4. Stanford University
GPA: 4.0
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Requirements: Outstanding academic record, high SAT/ACT scores, strong recommendations, and extracurricular activities.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Stanford offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
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5. Harvard University
GPA: 4.0
Median SAT: 1520
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Requirements: Excellent academic record, high SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also advance to leadership roles.
Academic Highlights: Harvard provides a world-class finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on leadership and global perspectives. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
6. New York University (Stern School of Business)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1470
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often land high-paying jobs in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Stern offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
7. University of California, Berkeley (Haas School of Business)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Requirements: Top grades, excellent SAT/ACT scores, strong essays, and extracurricular activities.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Haas provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
8. University of Michigan (Ross School of Business)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1460
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Ross offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
9. University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1420
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Requirements: High academic performance, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: McCombs provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
10. University of Virginia (Darden School of Business)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often land high-paying jobs in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Darden offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on leadership and global perspectives. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
11. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler Business School)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Kenan-Flagler provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
12. Cornell University (Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1490
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Requirements: Top grades, excellent SAT/ACT scores, strong essays, and extracurricular activities.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Dyson offers rigorous finance and accounting programs with a strong emphasis on quantitative skills and real-world applications. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
13. Indiana University Bloomington (Kelley School of Business)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1380
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Requirements: High academic performance, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Kelley provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
14. University of Notre Dame (Mendoza College of Business)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1460
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often land high-paying jobs in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Mendoza offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on ethics and leadership. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
15. Georgetown University (McDonough School of Business)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Requirements: Top grades, excellent SAT/ACT scores, strong essays, and extracurricular activities.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: McDonough provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on leadership and global perspectives. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
16. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Gies College of Business)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Gies offers rigorous finance and accounting programs with a strong emphasis on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
17. University of Southern California (Marshall School of Business)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1440
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Marshall provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
18. University of Washington (Foster School of Business)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1390
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Requirements: High academic performance, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Foster offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
19. Ohio State University (Fisher College of Business)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Fisher provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
20. Boston College (Carroll School of Management)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1430
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Requirements: High grades, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often land high-paying jobs in top investment banks, consulting firms, and corporations. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Carroll offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on ethics and leadership. Students can participate in various finance clubs, competitions, and internships with leading firms.
21. University of Florida (Warrington College of Business)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1380
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Requirements: High academic performance, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Warrington provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
22. University of Maryland (Smith School of Business)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Smith offers rigorous finance and accounting programs with a strong emphasis on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
23. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Wisconsin School of Business)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1360
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Wisconsin provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
24. Texas A&M University (Mays Business School)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1360
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also start their own successful businesses.
Academic Highlights: Mays offers excellent finance and accounting programs with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students have access to cutting-edge resources and research opportunities.
25. University of Minnesota (Carlson School of Management)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1340
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong SAT/ACT scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently secure positions in top financial institutions, technology companies, and consulting firms. Many also pursue advanced degrees.
Academic Highlights: Carlson provides a comprehensive finance and accounting curriculum with a focus on analytical skills and real-world applications. Students can engage in numerous finance clubs, competitions, and internships.
Best Colleges for Finance – Conclusion
Choosing the right college for finance and accounting can set the stage for a successful career in managing money and understanding business finances. The 25 Best Colleges for Finance above offer top-notch programs with a mix of rigorous academics, hands-on learning, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals. By considering factors like GPA, SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, requirements, and professional outcomes, you can find the college that best fits your goals and paves the way for a bright future in finance and accounting.