Master of Science
in Finance
Master of Science
in Finance
Master of Science
in Finance
Built on CFA Level I & II frameworks so you operate like a finance professional from day one.
Built on CFA Level I & II frameworks so you operate like a finance professional from day one.
Built on CFA Level I & II frameworks so you operate like a finance professional from day one.
Application Deadline - 1st May 2026
Application Deadline -1st May 2026
Starts in
Starts in
Fall 26 (August)
Fall semester (early august)
Duration
Duration
10 months
10 months
Format
Format
on campus
on campus
OPT Eligibility
OPT Eligibility
36 months
36 months
Globally Accredited and Recognized
Globally Accredited and Recognized
(Dual accreditation- Business & Accounting)
A distinction achieved by fewer than 200 schools worldwide
A distinction achieved by fewer than 200 schools worldwide
Among
Among
Among
Best Business Schools
The Princeton Review
#1
#1
#1
Greatest Resources for Women
The Princeton Review
#5
#5
#5
Most Beautiful Campus
The Princeton Review
#12
#12
#12
Best Quality of Life
The Princeton Review
Why Indian Professionals Choose the Knauss MSF
Why Indian Professionals Choose the Knauss MSF
CFA first curriculum
The curriculum is structured around the CFA body of knowledge, covering foundations for Levels 1 & 2. You build a strong base in investment tools, financial reporting, portfolio management, and ethics, so you’re not preparing for CFA after graduation but progressing from it.
Fastest route to USA’s finance world
Learn finance the way it is practiced in 2026
Work in San Diego
CFA first curriculum
The curriculum is structured around the CFA body of knowledge, covering foundations for Levels 1 & 2. You build a strong base in investment tools, financial reporting, portfolio management, and ethics, so you’re not preparing for CFA after graduation but progressing from it.
Fastest route to USA’s finance world
Learn finance the way it is practiced in 2026
Work in San Diego
Built to make you fluent in finance
Built to make you fluent in finance
Knauss MSF is built to make you fluent in finance, moving you from fundamentals to real-world application
Knauss MSF is built to make you fluent in finance, moving you from fundamentals to real-world application
Knauss MSF is built to make you fluent in finance, moving you from fundamentals to real-world application
What you’ll study:
What you’ll study:
What you’ll study:
Economics for Finance
Economics for Finance
Advanced Portfolio Management
Advanced Portfolio Management
Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis
Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis
Equity Valuation and Modeling
Equity Valuation and Modeling
Financial Markets and Institutions
Financial Markets and Institutions
International Finance
International Finance
Explore the full curriculum
Our Students and Alumni Find Success
"All of my finance professors were truly invested in the students and our success. They brought current events into the classroom, making everything applicable to real life... [it] really shows the culture and integrity USD maintains."
Addis Sansone '24 (MSF)
Financial Analyst, Tecolote Research
"About 95 percent of the concepts I apply in my current job as a portfolio manager were learned at USD. The world of finance is diverse, and USD’s master’s degree programs really equip students for any path they wish to pursue."
Ike Ekeh '17 (MBA/MSF)
Senior Portfolio Manager, Kingstone Capital Partners
"I truly looked forward to every class and the professors and my classmates always kept it lively and fun... I constantly draw upon the time I spent working on projects and presentations in the MSF program."
Juliana Guerra '23 (MSF)
Associate Financial Partner, Dean Roland Russell
"All of my finance professors were truly invested in the students and our success. They brought current events into the classroom, making everything applicable to real life... [it] really shows the culture and integrity USD maintains."
Ana Bermudez Leon '17 (MSF)
Financial Analyst, Tecolote Research
"All of my finance professors were truly invested in the students and our success. They brought current events into the classroom, making everything applicable to real life... [it] really shows the culture and integrity USD maintains."
Addis Sansone '24 (MSF)
Financial Analyst, Tecolote Research
"About 95 percent of the concepts I apply in my current job as a portfolio manager were learned at USD. The world of finance is diverse, and USD’s master’s degree programs really equip students for any path they wish to pursue."
Ike Ekeh '17 (MBA/MSF)
Senior Portfolio Manager, Kingstone Capital Partners
"I truly looked forward to every class and the professors and my classmates always kept it lively and fun... I constantly draw upon the time I spent working on projects and presentations in the MSF program."
Juliana Guerra '23 (MSF)
Associate Financial Partner, Dean Roland Russell
"All of my finance professors were truly invested in the students and our success. They brought current events into the classroom, making everything applicable to real life... [it] really shows the culture and integrity USD maintains."
Ana Bermudez Leon '17 (MSF)
Financial Analyst, Tecolote Research
Faculty Who Know Your Name
Faculty Who Know Your Name
With an average class size of ~35 and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, your professors know your name, your goals, and your background.
With an average class size of ~35 and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, your professors know your name, your goals, and your background.
Barbara Bliss, PhD
Barbara Bliss, PhD
Associate Professor of Finance
Associate Professor of Finance
Associate Professor of Finance
Published researcher in the Journal of Financial Economics, one of the world's top finance journals.
Published researcher in the Journal of Financial Economics, one of the world's top finance journals.
Published researcher in the Journal of Financial Economics, one of the world's top finance journals.
William Beggs, PhD
William Beggs, PhD
Associate Professor of Finance
Associate Professor of Finance
Associate Professor of Finance
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with prior experience at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with prior experience at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with prior experience at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Luis Ceballos, PhD
Luis Ceballos, PhD
Assistant Professor of Finance
Assistant Professor of Finance
Assistant Professor of Finance
Former Senior Economist at the Central Bank of Chile and published researcher in the Journal of Financial Economics.
Former Senior Economist at the Central Bank of Chile and published researcher in the Journal of Financial Economics.
Former Senior Economist at the Central Bank of Chile and published researcher in the Journal of Financial Economics.
David Foster, MBA
David Foster, MBA
Clinical Professor of Finance
Clinical Professor of Finance
Clinical Professor of Finance
Over 25 years of experience across asset management, investment banking, and public accounting.
Over 25 years of experience across asset management, investment banking, and public accounting.
Over 25 years of experience across asset management, investment banking, and public accounting.
Register My Interest
What a Knauss MS Finance Gets You
What a Knauss MS Finance Gets You
The demand for finance professionals is growing and the career paths are more diverse than ever.
The demand for finance professionals is growing and the career paths are more diverse than ever.
The demand for finance professionals is growing and the career paths are more diverse than ever.
$76,125
Average starting salary of USD MSF graduates (per year)
Average starting salary of USD MSF graduates (per year)
Average starting salary of USD MSF graduates (per year)
942,500
942,500
Openings are expected each year in the field from 2024 to 2034
(BLS, 2025)
Openings are expected each year in the field from 2024 to 2034
(BLS, 2025)
Where Our Alumni & Students Work
Where Our Alumni & Students Work
The University of San Diego Experience
The University of San Diego Experience
Ranked among the Top 5 Most Beautiful Campuses in the US by The Princeton Review, the University of San Diego sits on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with Spanish Renaissance architecture, terracotta rooftops, and year-round sunshine that make it unlike any other business school in the country.
Ranked among the Top 5 Most Beautiful Campuses in the US by The Princeton Review, the University of San Diego sits on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with Spanish Renaissance architecture, terracotta rooftops, and year-round sunshine that make it unlike any other business school in the country.
Ranked among the Top 5 Most Beautiful Campuses in the US by The Princeton Review, the University of San Diego sits on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with Spanish Renaissance architecture, terracotta rooftops, and year-round sunshine that make it unlike any other business school in the country.
A Campus Built for Connection
A Campus Built for Connection
Small cohorts and open spaces where faculty and students work closely together. Most students say the bonds formed here last well beyond graduation.
Small cohorts and open spaces where faculty and students work closely together. Most students say the bonds formed here last well beyond graduation.
300 Days of Sunshine
300 Days of Sunshine
The campus sits minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in the US. With 300 sunny days a year, students are at the water as often as they are in the classroom.
The campus sits minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in the US. With 300 sunny days a year, students are at the water as often as they are in the classroom.
San Diego's Indian Community
San Diego's Indian Community
One of California's largest Indian-American communities is in Mira Mesa, 10 minutes from campus - you will feel at home from day one.
One of California's largest Indian-American communities is in Mira Mesa, 10 minutes from campus - you will feel at home from day one.
Closer to Home Than You Think
Closer to Home Than You Think
Direct connections to all major Indian cities via LA, San Francisco, and Dubai. LA is 2.5 hours by road.
Direct connections to all major Indian cities via LA, San Francisco, and Dubai. LA is 2.5 hours by road.
Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid
Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid
Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid
A Finance Degree That’s Worth It
A Finance Degree That’s Worth It
$59,070
$59,070
tuition
tuition
Based on 2026/27 rates
Based on 2026/27 rates
Based on 2026/27 rates
78%
78%
Financial Aid Recipients
Most students receive some financial aid
Merit-based scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available for qualified applicants.
Most students receive some financial aid
Register My Interest
Early applications are encouraged to secure your place and access the best opportunities for scholarships and admissions consideration
Early applications are encouraged to secure your place and access the best opportunities for scholarships and admissions consideration
The Alumni Network You will Join
The Alumni Network You will Join
USD develops not only accomplished professionals but also responsible leaders committed to advancing global progress. Through rigorous academics and mission-driven training, students discover their purpose and develop the capabilities to influence society at every level.
USD develops not only accomplished professionals but also responsible leaders committed to advancing global progress. Through rigorous academics and mission-driven training, students discover their purpose and develop the capabilities to influence society at every level.
USD develops not only accomplished professionals but also responsible leaders committed to advancing global progress. Through rigorous academics and mission-driven training, students discover their purpose and develop the capabilities to influence society at every level.
Matthew Dominick
BS, Electrical Engineering
Commander of NASA’s
SpaceX Crew-8 mission
Jim Parsons
Actor, Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Winner
Mike Brown
Associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA)
Dr. Craig Venter
American biochemist & geneticist. Founder of Celera Genomics, Institute for Genomic Research and the J. Craig Venter Institute
Monte Berm
Co-founder, Chairperson of board of Directors, StepStone
Michaella Wittmann
BS/BA, Electrical Engineering
Led over 20 LEED sustainability projects worth multi-million dollar projects
Lowell McAdam
Former President
CEO of Verizon Communications
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