50 Best Colleges for Finance – 2024
April 17, 2024
![best colleges for finance](jpg/finance.jpg)
Finance majors emerge from their undergraduate studies as budding experts in areas such as stocks, bonds, wealth management, financial planning, investment banking, and venture capitalism. Future Wall Street wolves are made at colleges and universities that serve as direct pipelines into major financial firms such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, or BlackRock would do well to explore the institutions listed below. The geographically diverse schools that we selected for our list of the Best Colleges for Finance Majors all have excellent reputations with the world’s most powerful investment banks as well as at the premier graduate programs, for those who wish to continue on to an MBA or other advanced business degree.
Finally, note that although some of the colleges featured below do not offer a formal major in finance, their undergraduate offerings in this subject area are so strong that they warrant inclusion on our list.
You may also be interested in our Top Feeders to Wall Street.
Methodology
Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Finance Majors.
Salary Information
Want to know how much money graduates of the best finance colleges make when they begin their careers? For each college listed (and hundreds of additional schools), you can view the starting salaries for finance majors.
Best Colleges for Finance Majors
Here’s a quick preview of the first ten finance institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.
1) University of Pennsylvania
2) New York University
3) Cornell University
4) University of Michigan
5) Georgetown University
6) Carnegie Mellon University
7) University of California, Berkeley
8) University of Virginia
9) University of Notre Dame
10) Emory University
All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of finance and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best colleges for finance, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:
We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:
- Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
- Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.
![University of Pennsylvania](png/logos_215062.png)
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA
Academic Highlights: 90 distinct degrees are available across four schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Applied Science and Engineering, the College of Nursing, and the world-renowned Wharton School. The greatest number of students pursue degrees in business (19%), social sciences (14%), biology (11%), health sciences (9%), engineering (9%), and computer science (9%). The university boasts an exceptional 26% of courses with an enrollment under ten and 59% with an enrollment under twenty as well as multiple ways for undergrads to conduct research.
Professional Outcomes: 75% of Class of 2022 grads were employed within six months of graduating, and 18% were in graduate school. Finance attracted the highest percentage of grads (30%) followed by consulting (20%), technology (15%), and healthcare (10%). Employers hiring the greatest number of 2022 grads included JPMorgan, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Company, Meta, and Goldman Sachs. The median starting salary for all graduates is $80,000. For those continuing their educational journeys, the most popular move is to remain at Penn, followed by Columbia and Harvard.
- Enrollment: 9,760 (undergraduate); 13,614 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $89,028
- Median SAT: 1540
- Median ACT: 35
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
![New York University](png/logos_193900.png)
New York University
- New York, NY
Academic Highlights: NYU is divided into a number of smaller (but still quite large) colleges organized by discipline; in sum, there are 230 areas of undergraduate study across nine schools and colleges. For its size, a commendable 58% of classes have an enrollment under 20 students. While all schools within NYU have solid reputations, Stern holds the distinction as one of the top undergraduate business programs in the country. For those entering film, dance, drama, or other performing arts, Tisch is as prestigious a place as you can find to study.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of exiting, 94% of Class of 2022 grads had landed at their next destination, with 78% employed and 21% in graduate school. The top industries for employment were healthcare (11%), internet and software (9%), finance (8%), and entertainment (8%). Large numbers of alumni can be found at Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Amazon. The mean starting salary is $75,336. In 2022, business, arts and sciences, and law school were the most popular grad school destinations.
- Enrollment: 29,401 (undergraduate); 29,711 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $90,222-$96,172
- Median SAT: 1520
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
![Cornell University](png/cornell.png)
Cornell University
- Ithaca, NY
Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.
Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.
- Enrollment: 15,735
- Cost of Attendance: $88,150
- Median SAT: 1520
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
![University of Michigan](png/logos_170976.png)
University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor, MI
Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon. Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.
- Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1470
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
![Georgetown University](png/georgetown_hoyas_logo.png)
Georgetown University
- Washington, D.C.
Academic Highlights: The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 60% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. While some classes are a bit larger, only 7% cross the 50-student threshold. Those desiring to join the world of politics or diplomacy are in the right place. The Government and International Affairs programs are among the best in the country. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (38%) followed by business (20%), interdisciplinary studies (8%), and biology (7%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 75% of members of the Class of 2022 entered the workforce, 19% went directly into a graduate or professional program of study, and 3% were still seeking employment. The Class of 2022 sent massive numbers of graduates to a number of major corporations including JPMorgan Chase (22), Citi (21), BOA (18), Morgan Stanley (16), and EY (10). Those attending grad school stay at Georgetown or flock to other elite schools like Columbia and Harvard.
- Enrollment: 7,900
- Cost of Attendance: $85,000
- Median SAT: 1500
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
![Carnegie Mellon University](jpg/cmu-logo.jpg)
Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh, PA
Academic Highlights: There are a combined 80+ undergraduate majors and 90 minors available across the six schools. Impressively, particularly for a school with more graduate students than undergrads, CMU boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, with 36% containing single digits. In a given school year, 800+ undergraduates conduct research through the University Research Office. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (21%), computer science (16%), mathematics (12%), business (10%), and visual and performing arts (9%).
Professional Outcomes: By the end of the calendar year in which they received their diplomas, 66% of 2022 grads were employed, and 28% were continuing to graduate school. The companies that have routinely scooped up CMU grads include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Accenture, McKinsey, and Deloitte. With an average starting salary of $105,194, CMU grads outpace the average starting salary for a college grad nationally. Of those pursuing graduate education, around 20% typically enroll immediately in PhD programs.
- Enrollment: 7,509
- Cost of Attendance: $84,412
- Median SAT: 1540
- Median ACT: 35
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
![University of California, Berkeley](png/logos_110635.png)
University of California, Berkeley
- Berkeley, CA
Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources, and the Haas School of Business. Many departments have top international reputations including computer science, engineering, chemistry, English, psychology, and economics. 22% of sections contain nine or fewer students, and over 55% of students assist faculty with a research project or complete a research methods course.
Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 49% of Cal’s Class of 2022 had already secured employment, and 20% were headed to graduate school. Business is the most popular sector, attracting 62% of employed grads; next up are industrial (17%), education (8%), and nonprofit work (7%). The median starting salary was $86,459 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, and Meta, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
- Enrollment: 32,831 (undergraduate); 12,914 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $48,574 (in-state); $82,774 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: Test Blind
- Median ACT: Test Blind
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
![University of Virginia](jpg/university-of-virginia-scaled.jpg)
University of Virginia
- Charlottesville, VA
Academic Highlights: Undergrads can study within one of seven colleges/schools, which all offer many small classes; 15% boast single-digit enrollment and 48% contain 19 or fewer students. The McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have glowing reputations. Other notable strengths include computer science, economics, and political philosophy, policy, and law. The most popular degree areas are liberal arts/general studies (22%), the social sciences (14%), engineering (11%), business/marketing (8%), and biology (7%).
Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their degree, 95% of the Class of 2022 immediately joined the workforce–with an average starting salary of $90k–or headed directly to graduate school. The most popular industries were internet & software, higher education, and management consulting. Capital One (85), Deloitte (46), Amazon (38), and Bain & Co. (26) scooped up the greatest number of 2022 grads. UVA itself was the most popular grad school destination followed by Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Johns Hopkins.
- Enrollment: 17,496 (undergraduate); 8,653 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $39,494-49,874 (in-state); $78,214-90,378 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1470
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
![University of Notre Dame](png/notre-dame.png)
University of Notre Dame
- Notre Dame, IN
Academic Highlights: 75 majors are offered across six undergraduate colleges: the School of Architecture, the College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza School of Business (one of the country’s best business schools), the College of Engineering, the Keough School of Global Affairs, and the College of Science. In 2022, the most degrees were conferred in business (20%), the social sciences (18%), engineering (12%), and biology (8%). A solid 60% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 15% have single-digit numbers. 75% of Notre Dame undergrads study abroad.
Professional Outcomes: 69% of 2022 grads directly entered the world of employment, with the most common industries being financial services (21%), consulting (17%), technology (12%), and health services (9%). Massive numbers of alumni can be found at Deloitte, EY, PwC, IBM, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and McKinsey & Co. The median early-career salary was $76,000. Of the 20% of grads who went directly into their graduate/professional studies, 18% were pursuing medical degrees and 9% were studying law.
- Enrollment: 8,971 (undergraduate); 4,134 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $86,125
- Median SAT: 1500
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
![Emory University](png/logos_139658.png)
Emory University
- Atlanta, GA
Academic Highlights: This midsize university offers a diverse array of majors (80+) and minors (60+), and 30% of Emory students pursue more than one area of study. Over half of Emory’s student body works directly with a faculty member on academic research and 58% of courses have class sizes of under twenty students. Ultimately, the greatest number of students go on to earn degrees in the social sciences (15%), biology (14%), business (14%), health professions (12%), and mathematics (9%).
Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduation, 66% of 2022 grads were already employed, and 96% had arrived at their next destination. The top employers of recent Emory grads include Deloitte, Epic, ScribeAmerica, Meta, Morgan Stanley, and Cloudmed. Graduates of the Goizueta Business School found strong starting salaries with an average of $81k. In the last few years, multiple Emory grads/alums received acceptance letters from the following top law schools like Columbia, Berkeley, and Georgetown. Med school acceptances included Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt.
- Enrollment: 7,101
- Cost of Attendance: $83,702
- Median SAT: 1500
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
![Boston College](png/logos_164924.png)
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, MA
Academic Highlights: The college offers roughly 60 majors across four schools that award undergraduate degrees. Approximately half of the college’s sections contain nineteen or fewer students. 95% of graduates reported learning how to think critically at BC, and 93% said they learned how to write clearly and effectively. BC offers highly respected programs in communications, psychology, and business through the renowned Carroll School of Management. Other popular and well-regarded majors include economics, biology, and chemistry.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Class of 2022 had landed at their next destination. The most favored industries were financial services and real estate (26%), health care/science (20%), and business/consulting (16%). The median starting salary for a 2022 BC grad was $67,000. Eighteen percent of the Class of 2022 entered graduate schools including Brown, Columbia, the University of Chicago, and Yale. Examining the Class of 2022 data, 16% entered law school, and 14% pursued some other type of doctoral degree.
- Enrollment: 9,484
- Cost of Attendance: $86,155
- Average SAT: 1482
- Average ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
![Wake Forest University](png/logos_199847.png)
Wake Forest University
- Winston-Salem, NC
Academic Highlights: All freshmen enter the Undergraduate College, which offers 45 majors and 60 minors. Sporting a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, classes are kept on the small side with 59% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. 60% of students engage in hands-on research for academic credit. Wake Forest is strong across myriad disciplines, most notably chemistry, communication, accounting, finance, and international affairs. The most frequently conferred degrees are in business (22%), the social sciences (20%), journalism (8%), and biology (8%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 97% of the Class of 2022 had found their next destination, with 71% starting their first professional job and 26% matriculating into a graduate program. Management/consulting, investment banking, and healthcare were the top three industries. Employers landing the highest numbers of alumni included national and multinational corporations IBM, Siemens, Volvo, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Deloitte, Dell, Gucci, PepsiCo, EY, and Nike. By the start of mid-career, Wake Forest alumni earn the second-highest median salary of any school in North Carolina.
- Enrollment: 5,447 (undergraduate); 3,516 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $87,622
- Median SAT: 1450
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
![Washington University in St. Louis](jpg/download-3.jpg)
Washington University in St. Louis
- St. Louis, MO
Academic Highlights: WashU admits students into five schools, many of which offer nationally recognized programs: Arts & Sciences, the Olin School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the Art of Architecture programs housed within the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (13%), social sciences (13%), business (13%), biology (11%), and psychology (10%). 66% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and over one-quarter have single-digit enrollments. 65% double major or pursue a minor.
Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 sent 52% of grads into the workforce and 28% into graduate and professional schools. Companies employing the highest number of WashU grads feature sought-after employers such as Amazon, Bain, Boeing, Deloitte, Google, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and Microsoft. Of the employed members of the Class of 2022 who reported their starting salaries, 79% made more than $60k. The universities welcoming the largest number of Bears included the prestigious institutions of Caltech, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Stanford.
- Enrollment: 8,132 (undergraduate); 8,880 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $83,760
- Median SAT: 1530
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
![The University of Texas at Austin](png/logos_228778.png)
The University of Texas at Austin
- Austin, TX
Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers over 150 majors, including those at the Cockrell School of Engineering, one of the most heralded undergraduate engineering schools around, and The McCombs School of Business, which dominates in the specialty areas of accounting and marketing. The computer science department is also top-ranked. In terms of degrees conferred, engineering is tied with biology (12%) followed by communication (11%), business (11%), and the social sciences (8%). The elite Plan II Honors Program is one of the best in the country.
Professional Outcomes: Within the College of Liberal Arts, six months after graduating, 68% of Longhorns are employed and 24% have entered graduate school. The for-profit sector attracts 65% of those employed while 19% enter public sector employment and 16% pursue jobs at a nonprofit. Major corporations that employ more than 500 UT Austin grads include Google, Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Engineering majors took home a median income of $79k and business majors took home $70k.
- Enrollment: 41,309 (undergraduate); 11,075 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $30,752-$34,174 (in-state); $61,180-$69,310 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1430
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](png/centered_logo-e1707403543174.png)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can choose from 74 bachelor’s degree programs in a number of schools and colleges, the largest of which is the College of Arts & Sciences. 44% of classes have a student enrollment under 20. The social sciences (15%), biology (12%), media/journalism (9%), computer science (8%), and business (6%) are the areas in which the most degrees are conferred. The Kenan-Flager Business School is internationally renowned and requires separate admission. Other strong programs include those in chemistry, journalism, psychology, and political science.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Chapel Hill, 97% of 2022 grads had entered employment, military service, or graduate school. Among the for-profit companies that hire the most graduates are Wells Fargo, IBM, Cisco, Deloitte, EY, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. In the nonprofit sector, a large number of alumni are employed by AmeriCorps, NIH, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps. The average starting salary is $70,619. 18% of 2022 grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school.
- Enrollment: 20,210 (undergraduate); 11,739 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $27,036 (in-state); $60,040 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1450
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
![Indiana University](png/logos_151351.png)
Indiana University
- Bloomington, IL
Academic Highlights: IU offers 200+ majors. The university’s 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio is not bad for a school of Indiana’s size, and it does make an effort to keep undergraduate classes on the small side. While there are a number of introductory courses that transpire in giant lecture halls, 37% of all sections contain no more than 19 students. Business/marketing is the most popular major accounting for 30% of the total degrees conferred and biology is second at 9%. IU’s computer science degree program is the school’s third most frequently conferred degree at 8%.
Professional Outcomes: Class of 2022 grads reached their next employment or graduate school destination at a 94% rate within six months of receiving their degrees. The median starting salary for A&S grads was $41,000. In the Kelley School of Business, 97% were placed successfully within six months, and the median starting salary was $67,000. Among the most frequently attended graduate schools by recent grads are Indiana Bloomington (including its own law and medical schools), Purdue, Loyola Chicago, Northwestern, and Columbia.
- Enrollment: 35,660
- Cost of Attendance: $25,170 (In-State); $53,860 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
![Babson College](png/logos_164580.png)
Babson College
- Babson Park, MA
Academic Highlights: Babson is regularly ranked at the top of any list of best colleges for entrepreneurship and business. While a fair number of courses are large—87% seat between 20 and 49 students—the nature of the instruction is highly interactive with professors and with peers. One of the many unique experiences at Babson is Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship, a freshman requirement. Teams of students are loaned up to $9,000 in start-up money to launch and run an actual business
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 98.7% of the Class of 2022 were already employed or in graduate school. Starting salaries averaged $71,385 for the Class of 2022. the highest concentration of recent graduates ending up at EY, PwC, Dell, and Wayfair. Many alumni also work at Fidelity Investment, IBM, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Siemens, and Accenture. While many pursue MBAs down the road, only 10-15% enter a grad program right out of undergrad.
- Enrollment: 2,761
- Cost of Attendance: $80,242
- Median SAT: 1430
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 22%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
![Southern Methodist University](jpg/gflo4cmxcaaijz1-e1708893058613.jpg)
Southern Methodist University
- Dallas, TX
Academic Highlights: In total, SMU offers 100+ majors and 85 minors. Thanks in part to an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 56% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. This career-minded student body gravitates toward pre-professional degrees, particularly in business (27%) and engineering (6%). SMU’s Cox School of Business is top-ranked and has especially strong ties to Wall Street. Programs in engineering, sports management, and the performing arts are also very well-regarded.
Professional Highlights: On graduation day, over 66% of recent grads already had their first jobs or graduate school destinations in hand. Six months later, that figure was in the mid-90s. Major corporations employing the greatest number of Mustangs are Lockheed Martin, AT&T, EY, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Deloitte, American Airlines, Accenture, Oracle, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs. In 2022, the average starting salary was $55k across all majors ($77k for Cox School of Business grads). In a typical year, 25% of seniors elect to immediately pursue an advanced degree.
- Enrollment: 7,115 (undergraduate); 4,727 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $89,676
- Median SAT: 1405
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
![Villanova University](png/logos_216597.png)
Villanova University
- Villanova, PA
Academic Highlights: Students can choose one of 55+ programs within four schools: the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Nursing. The university sports a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers average undergraduate classes of twenty-three students. Business is the most popular major (30%) followed by the social sciences (13%), engineering (12%), and nursing (10%). Villanova’s business, accounting, and engineering programs are among the school’s top-rated programs.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, Class of 2022 graduates had a placement rate of 99% with 74% entering the workforce and 21% matriculating into graduate or professional school. The most popular employers are Vanguard, Verizon, PwC, JPMorgan Chase, Merck, Comcast, EY, Deloitte, and Morgan Stanley. The average starting salary was $71,363. Recent grads went on to study at graduate institutions like Dartmouth, Stanford, Notre Dame, Harvard, Tufts, Columbia, and Penn.
- Enrollment: 6,989 (undergraduate); 3,394 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $85,316
- Median SAT: 1440
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
![Providence College](png/screenshot-2024-02-29-at-4.35.38%e2%80%afpm-e1709242573636.png)
Providence College
- Providence, RI
Academic Highlights: At PC, there are 50 majors on tap. The most popular offerings are all within the School of Business, which confers a stunning 39% of degrees. The next most common majors are the social sciences (14%), biology (9%), psychology (9%), and health-related professions (6%). The student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 is low enough to make individual connections possible, including undergraduate research experiences that 36% of recent grads reported having the chance to engage in. 95% of classes enroll 29 students or fewer; the average class size is 19.
Professional Outcomes: 96% of Class of 2022 graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduating. Among the employed, 94% were working in their field of interest, and the mean starting salary was $58,009. Most students enter the financial management/consulting/sales sector followed by marketing, healthcare, and engineering & scientific research. More than 50 alumni are presently employed by Fidelity Investments, PwC, Morgan Stanley, EY, IBM, Citi, and Dell Technologies. 18% of graduates immediately enroll in full-time graduate or professional degree programs.
- Enrollment: 4,279 (undergraduate); 477 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $77,860
- Median SAT: 1230
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
![University of Wisconsin – Madison](png/university-of-wisconsin-madison.png)
University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Madison, WI
Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, including the top-ranked School of Business and College of Engineering as well as the College of Letters and Science, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Schools of Nursing, Education, Pharmacy, and Human Ecology. Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 44% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Business (18%), biology (12%), the social sciences (11%), and engineering (10%) are most popular.
Professional Outcomes: In a recent year, 46% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer. Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, Kohl’s, Oracle, Deloitte, and UW Health. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Target, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, PwC, Accenture, and Meta. 28% of recent grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school; the majority stayed at UW–Madison while others headed to Columbia, Northwestern, and Carnegie Mellon. The university is the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
- Enrollment: 37,230 (undergraduate); 12,656 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $28,916 (in-state); $58,912 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1440
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![The Ohio State University — Columbus](jpg/the_ohio_state_university_logo-e1709247372322.jpg)
The Ohio State University — Columbus
- Columbus, OH
Academic Highlights: There are 200+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. Business sees the greatest percentage of degrees conferred at 18% followed by engineering (15%), health professions (10%), and the social sciences (9%). It makes sense that so many flock to the business and engineering schools as they are among the highest-rated undergraduate programs in their respective disciplines. 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and approximately 20% of students gain research experience.
Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 56% of Class of 2022 graduates were entering the world of employment while 17% were already accepted into graduate or professional school. Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, more than 1,000 are employed by Amazon, and more than 600 work for Google and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.
- Enrollment: 45,728 (undergraduate); 14,318 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $27,241 (in-state); $52,747 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1340-1450
- Median ACT: 29-32
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](png/logos_145637.png)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign-Urbana, IL
Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. There are 150 academic programs offered, including those at the acclaimed Grainger College of Engineering and Gies College of Business. In sheer volume of degrees conferred, engineering and business/marketing are tied at 19%, followed by the social sciences (9%) and psychology (6%). 39% of sections are capped at 19 students. 29% of undergraduates work with a faculty member on a research project; another 22% have some type of fieldwork, practicum, or clinical experience.
Professional Outcomes: 95% of the members of the Class of 2022 landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 38% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 57% were employed full-time; the most popular sectors were finance, consulting, healthcare, electronics, and education. Corporations landing the most recent Illini grads were KPMG, Deloitte, Epic Systems, EY, PwC, and Amazon. The average salary across all Class of 2022 majors was an extremely solid $75,000.
- Enrollment: 35,120 (undergraduate); 21,796 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $35,926-$41,190 (in-state); $55,386-$63,290 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1440
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![Lehigh University](jpg/lehigh-logo.jpg)
Lehigh University
- Bethlehem, PA
Academic Highlights: Lehigh has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, but classes aren’t as tiny as one might expect with such favorable staffing numbers. The average class size is 26 but, on the plus side, 45% of courses have enrollments of 19 or fewer. Undergraduate research is commonplace. With a highly ranked engineering school, it’s easy to view Lehigh as primarily a techie haven. Surprisingly, the majority of students pursue other programs, with Lehigh’s well-regarded business school drawing the most majors (29%); 22% graduate with a degree in engineering and 12% study CS.
Professional Outcomes: Recent grads quickly found its way toward the next productive step in their lives with 97% landing jobs or grad school placements within six months of leaving Lehigh. Among graduates of the School of Business and Economics, the top industries entered were financial services, accounting, consulting, and computer software. The average starting salary for a recent grad is $67,000. Among recent diploma-earners heading straight to graduate school, roughly 30% were studying engineering, one-quarter were pursuing business degrees, 10% were training for health professions.
- Enrollment: 5,624
- Cost of Attendance: $72,000
- Median SAT: 1410
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
![Baruch College](jpg/baruch_college_cuny_logo.jpg)
Baruch College
- New York, NY
Academic Highlights: With a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and more part-time than full-time faculty, one-on-one bonding time with your professors is at a premium. Single-digit classes are a rarity, and only 21% of courses have 19 or fewer enrolled students. Popular majors within the well-respected Zicklin School of Business include accounting, finance, marketing, and business communication. Overall, the Zicklin School of Business attracts a mind-boggling three-quarters of the student population.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Class of 2022 were already employed or in full-time graduate programs. The average salary for Arts & Sciences grads was $53,000 while Zicklin School of Business grads earned $61,000. The top employers of 2022 grads were KPMG (22), Morgan Stanley (17), JP Morgan (16 grads), Accenture (12), and Bank of America (11). Graduate studies are not usually the immediate step after receiving one’s diploma from Baruch and only 5% go right to graduate school.
- Enrollment: 15,896
- Cost of Attendance: $29,249 (in-state); $40,919 (out-of-state)
- Average SAT: 1186
- Average ACT: N/A
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
![Santa Clara University](png/logos_122931.png)
Santa Clara University
- Santa Clara, CA
Academic Highlights: Students can pursue 50 degrees offered by three undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the highly respected School of Engineering, and the Leavey School of Business, which offers top-rated management information systems, accounting, and entrepreneurship degree programs. 44% of course sections contain fewer than 20 students, and undergraduate research is built into many academic programs. The most commonly conferred degrees are in business (31%), engineering (15%), and the social sciences (13%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of receiving their degrees, 91% of Broncos have landed jobs, started graduate school, or committed to a full-time service program. Of those employed, the most commonly entered industries are business development, engineering, education, entrepreneurship, and sales. The companies presently employing the greatest number of alumni are all tech giants including Cisco, Apple, Google, Oracle, Meta, and Adobe. The median starting salary is $67,000 with engineering majors enjoying the highest compensation ($83k).
- Enrollment: 6,115 (undergraduate); 3,063 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $82,125
- Median SAT: 1390
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![Tulane University](png/logos_160755.png)
Tulane University
- New Orleans, LA
Academic Highlights: Tulane offers 75 majors within five colleges, with the A.B. Freeman School of Business and programs in architecture, biology, and neuroscience enjoying strong national reputations. The most degrees are conferred in business/marketing (22%), the social sciences (20%), psychology (9%), biology (8%), and health professions (8%). The average class size is 21 students and a solid 21% of courses have single-digit enrollments, providing a seminar-style environment. The majority of undergraduate courses are taught by full-time professors.
Professional Outcomes: Over three-fifths of Tulane grads find employment within six months of graduation. The most popular occupations were financial analyst, management analyst, marketing specialist, and postsecondary teacher. Significant numbers of alumni can be found working in the Louisiana-based Ochsner Health System or at corporations such as Shell, EY, Google, PwC, IBM, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, and Accenture. 35% of grads eventually enroll in graduate or professional school—the most common destinations are Tulane itself, Louisiana State University, Boston University, and Johns Hopkins University.
- Enrollment: 7,295 (undergraduate); 4,990 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $86,000
- Median SAT: 1450
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 15%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![University of Maryland, College Park](png/university-of-maryland-logo-e1707449124975.png)
University of Maryland, College Park
- College Park, MD
Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can select from 100+ majors across twelve colleges. 18% of degrees are conferred in computer science, followed by the social sciences (13%), with criminology, government and politics, and economics being the most popular majors. Engineering (13%), business (11%), and biology (8%) are next in line. The School of Business, the School of Engineering, and the College of Journalism are all top-ranked, as are programs in computer science and criminology. 46% of sections enroll fewer than twenty students.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 96% of Class of 2022 grads had positive outcomes. 67% found employment; the companies/organizations that hired the greatest number of grads included Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, Amazon, and EY. Meta, Apple, and Google employ more than 200 alumni each. The mid-50% salary range for 2022 grads was $55k-$83k. 21% of the Class of 2022 headed directly to graduate and professional school; 11% entered doctoral programs, 5% entered medical school, and 5% entered law school.
- Enrollment: 30,353 (undergraduate); 10,439 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $31,540 (in-state); $60,918 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1440
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![George Washington University](png/gw.png)
George Washington University
- Washington, D.C.
Academic Highlights: GW undergraduates choose from 75+ majors spread across nine colleges. The school’s 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to a mix of small, medium, and large undergraduate sections. Twelve percent of courses have single-digit enrollments, 10% have over 50 students, and the majority fall in the 10 to 29 range. The social sciences (31%) are the area in which the greatest number of degrees are awarded followed by health professions (17%), business (15%), biology (5%), and computer science (5%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of leaving GW, 96% of the Class of 2022 had found their way to gainful employment or graduate school while 4% were still job hunting. Of the 68% of grads already in the workplace, 68% were in a for-profit industry, 25% had entered a nonprofit position, and 8% were working in government. A healthy 27% of those earning their diplomas in 2022 immediately turned their attention to earning an advanced degree. Among that group were 76% seeking master’s degrees, 11% entering law school, 5% pursuing a medical degree, and 3% entering a doctoral program.
- Enrollment: 11,482
- Cost of Attendance: $85,740
- Median SAT: 1410
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![Boston University](png/boston_university_seal.png)
Boston University
- Boston, MA
Academic Highlights: In total, the university offers more than 300 programs of study, 100+ of which are distinct undergraduate degrees spread across ten schools/colleges. Many classes at BU are reasonably small—60% contain fewer than twenty students; only 19% contain more than forty. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in social sciences (16%), business/marketing (15%), communications and journalism (15%), biology (11%), engineering (9%), and health professions/related sciences (7%).
Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 90% of BU grads have found their way into the world of employment or full-time graduate study. Across all graduating years, companies employing more than 350 BU alums include Google, Oracle, Accenture, IBM, and Amazon Web Services. Of the one-quarter of grads who move directly into graduate school, many are welcomed onto the campuses of elite graduate programs. For example, engineering students found new academic homes at MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and Columbia.
- Enrollment: 18,459
- Cost of Attendance: $86,363
- Median SAT: 1430
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![University of Miami](png/648aca65a4335301fc52f1aa127bbe84-e1707425162383.png)
University of Miami
- Coral Gables, FL
Academic Highlights: Over 100 undergrad programs are offered across nine schools, with the greatest number of degrees conferred in business/marketing (21%), health professions (13%), biology (11%), the social sciences (9%), communication (9%), and engineering (8%). The Miami Business School and the College of Engineering enjoy solid national reputations, and programs in music, marine science, communications, and architecture are also highly ranked. 52% of all course sections contain fewer than 20 students.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 98% of the Class of 2022 had positive outcomes, with 64% employed full-time and 34% in graduate school. Companies employing 2022 grads included Deloitte, Citrix, NBCUniversal, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citi, and Morgan Stanley. Across all majors, the median starting salary was an impressive $63k. 100+ Canes also can be found in the offices of Google, IBM, PwC, Apple, and Microsoft. The most frequently attended graduate school is typically Miami itself.
- Enrollment: 12,883 (undergraduate); 6,710 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $93,146
- Median SAT: 1410
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![University of Georgia](png/uga_logo_vertical_fc_marcm-768x611-1-e1707512025219.png)
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
Academic Highlights: UGA boasts seventeen distinct colleges and schools that offer 125+ majors. Business is the most commonly conferred undergrad degree, accounting for 29% of diplomas earned. It is followed by biology (10%), social sciences (8%), communication & journalism (8%), and psychology (7%). Top-ranked programs include animal science, business, communications, and public and international affairs. 49% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and no matter your major, UGA encourages you to conduct research with a member of the school’s faculty.
Professional Outcomes: 96% of the Class of 2022 was employed or continuing their education six months after graduation. Popular employers include Accenture, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Walt Disney Company, and Deloitte. Salaries vary between colleges; engineering grads had a median starting salary of $65k while journalism and communication grads reported a $50k median. In 2022, 24% of graduates enrolled directly into a graduate/professional degree program, with the most commonly attended schools including Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgia Tech, Penn, and UVA.
- Enrollment: 30,714 (undergraduate); 9,893 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $28,142 (in-state); $48,538 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1310
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![Case Western Reserve University](jpg/cwru-logo.jpg)
Case Western Reserve University
- Cleveland, OH
Academic Highlights: Sporting a 9:1 faculty-to-student ratio, the university does a nice job keeping classes on the small side, with 50% of course sections capped at nineteen and only 13% of courses having fifty students or more. The Weatherhead School of Management and the Case School of Engineering have stellar reputations within the worlds of employment and academia. Engineering is the most commonly conferred undergraduate degree at 27% followed by biology (15%), computer science (10%), and health professions (8%).
Professional Outcomes: Fifty-six percent of 2022 CWRU graduates head into the world of professional employment upon receiving their diplomas; only 3% were still looking for work six months after leaving the university. More than half of the Class of 2022 enjoyed a starting salary of at least $65,000. The employers of the greatest number of graduates included Accenture, Microsoft, Deloitte, and Google. In 2022, four or more grads were accepted to continue their studies at the likes of NYU, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, WashU, and the University of Michigan.
- Enrollment: 6,017
- Cost of Attendance: $88,516
- Median SAT: 1480
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
![Bentley University](jpg/bentley-u.jpg)
Bentley University
- Waltham, MA
Academic Highlights: Of the 29 majors and 35+ minors to choose from, a handful are non-business concentrations. The average undergraduate class is comprised of 26 students, and academics are intense. Roughly 20% of the student body is double majoring. The most popular majors are all within the business domain and include finance, business, management, marketing, accounting,
Professional Outcomes: A superb 99% of 2022 Bentley grads were employed or in graduate school six months after receiving their diplomas. The financial services and technology sectors each account for almost one-quarter of new hires. A hub of entrepreneurship, the school typically sees 5-10% of its graduating class start their own businesses right out of college. Bentley does not see a high number of graduates directly entering graduate school—roughly 10% in any given year. However, many pursue MBAs or other advanced business degrees later in their careers,
- Enrollment: 4,131
- Cost of Attendance: $80,670
- Median SAT: 1340
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![Fairfield University](png/logos_129242.png)
Fairfield University
- Fairfield, CT
Academic Highlights: A 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio is fully felt in the classroom as courses average only 20 students per section. While 41% come in under that marker and only a smattering of sections contain 40+ students, the greatest number of courses have enrollments in the 20-29 range. A whopping 42% of degrees conferred are from the highly respected Dolan School of Business. Next in popularity are majors within the health professions (18%) and the social sciences (8%)—both areas also receive high marks at Fairfield.
Professional Outcomes: Fairfield’s Class of 2022 found its next destination within six months of graduating at a hard-to-beat 98% clip. Major employers include PwC, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase & Co., EY, UBS, and Merrill Lynch all employ one hundred or more Stags, and Fairfield grads also have strong representation at IBM, Goldman Sachs, Citi, and Prudential. Thus, it’s no wonder that the average starting salary is a healthy $67,054. Thirty percent of 2022 grads enrolled directly in graduate or professional school.
- Enrollment: 4,757
- Cost of Attendance: $77,440
- Median SAT: 1310
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![Fordham University](jpg/fordham-logo.jpg)
Fordham University
- Bronx, NY
Academic Highlights: The university offers more than seventy majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Fordham’s 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to an average class size of 23 students. Some classes will be on the smaller side as 52% of sections contain nineteen or fewer students. Gabelli is a top-rated business program with standout programs in international business and finance and serves as a pipeline to many large firms. Other popular areas of study include communications (10%), visual and performing arts (7%), psychology (6%), and biology (5%).
Professional Outcomes: Class of 2022 graduates found employment, graduate school, or other meaningful activities at a 96% clip within six months of receiving their degrees. Nearly two-thirds of this group landed employment and enjoyed an average salary of $70,000. Significant numbers of 2022 grads found homes at major companies including PwC (36), Ernst & Young (29), KMPG (24), Morgan Stanley (22), and Deloitte (21). The greatest number of recent graduates pursuing an advanced degree landed at Fordham, NYU, and Columbia.
- Enrollment: 10,098
- Cost of Attendance: $85,067
- Median SAT: 1400
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
![University of Florida](png/logos_134130.png)
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. The Warrington College of Business and the Wertheim College of Engineering are highly respected, so it’s no surprise that those two programs confer the greatest percentage of degrees—12% and 14%, respectively. Biology (11%), the social sciences (11%), and health professions (8%) are next in popularity. 53% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and 33% of students partake in an undergraduate research experience.
Professional Outcomes: By graduation day, 66% of the Class of 2022 had already procured a first job. The top occupational areas were engineering (13%), health care (13%), computer science (5%), and marketing (4%). 200+ Gator alumni can be found at top corporations like Google, EY, Raymond James, Deloitte, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and PwC. The average salary for all 2022 grads was $69k, with a high of $100k for computer science majors. Of those pursuing advanced degrees, a master’s degree was the most popular pursuit (63%) followed by law school (11%).
- Enrollment: 34,552 (undergraduate); 20,659 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $23,530 (in-state); $45,808 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1400
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
![Florida State University](jpg/fsu-logo.jpg)
Florida State University
- Tallahassee, FL
Academic Highlights: A wide range of baccalaureate degrees—103 to be precise—are available at FSU. The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Twenty-three percent of degrees conferred fall under the business umbrella. The social sciences (15%), psychology (8%), biology (8%), and homeland security (6%) are next in popularity.
Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. The top five sectors employing 2022 grads are (in order) finance, technology, marketing, health, and engineering. Roughly one-third of 2022 Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 75% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance. A typical graduating class sees over 100 students accepted into medical schools and over 200 accepted into law schools.
- Enrollment: 32,936
- Cost of Attendance: $25,762 (In-State); $39,692 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![University of Washington – Seattle](png/uw-logo-512-e1707143530220.png)
University of Washington – Seattle
- Seattle, WA
Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).
Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.
- Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1420
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![Rutgers University — New Brunswick](jpg/rutgers-logo-e1708987671446.jpg)
Rutgers University — New Brunswick
- New Brunswick, NJ
Academic Highlights: Rutgers is divided into 17 schools and colleges, collectively offering 100+ undergraduate majors. 41% of class sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in business (20%), computer science (12%), engineering (10%), health professions (10%), biology (9%), and social sciences (7%). Rutgers Business School sends many majors to top Wall Street investment banks, and programs in computer science, public health, and criminal justice have a terrific national reputation.
Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, 82% of Class of 2022 grads had secured a first job or were heading to an advanced degree program. 67% headed directly to the world of employment, where the companies hiring the largest number of grads included Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, and JP Morgan Chase. Investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Citi also employ hundreds of alumni, as do companies like Verizon, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, and Google. The median starting salary across all majors was $70,000.
- Enrollment: 36,344 (undergraduate); 14,293 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $37,849 (in-state); $57,138 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1370
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![Purdue University — West Lafayette](png/purdue-university-logo-e1709184132842.png)
Purdue University — West Lafayette
- West Lafayette, IN
Academic Highlights: Purdue offers over 200 majors at ten discipline-specific colleges, and 38% of course sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer. Engineering and engineering technologies majors earn 34% of the degrees conferred by the university; the College of Engineering cracks the top ten on almost every list of best engineering schools. The Krannert School of Management is also well-regarded by employers; 11% of degrees conferred are in business. Other popular majors include computer science (10%) and agriculture (5%)—both are incredibly strong.
Professional Outcomes: Shortly after receiving their diplomas, 70% of 2022 grads headed to the world of employment while 24% headed to graduate/professional school. The top industries entered by grads in recent years are (1) health care, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; (2) finance, insurance, and consulting; (3) manufacturing and machinery; (4) airline, aviation, and aerospace. Companies employing the greatest number of recent alumni were Amazon, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Labcorp, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft. The average starting salary was $68k across all degree programs.
- Enrollment: 37,949 (undergraduate); 12,935 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $22,812 (in-state); $41,614 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1330
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![University of Minnesota–Twin Cities](png/logos_174066.png)
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. 65% of class sections enroll 29 or fewer students. The most commonly conferred degrees are in biology (13%), business & marketing (11%), engineering (10%), the social sciences (10%), computer science (9%), and psychology (8%). The College of Science and Engineering and the Carlson School of Management have strong national reputations, and the chemistry, economics, psychology, and political science departments are also well-regarded.
Professional Outcomes: The top seven companies snatching up the largest number of recent grads are all companies headquartered in the state of Minnesota: Medtronic, Target, 3M, United Health Group, US Bank, and Cargill. Google, Apple, and Meta all employ hundreds of Twin Cities alumni. The mean starting salary for recent grads was $50k. With 130 graduate programs in science, art, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and the humanities, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.
- Enrollment: 39,248 (undergraduate); 15,707 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $33,032-$35,632 (in-state); $54,446-$57,046
- Median SAT: 1370
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![Pennsylvania State University — University Park](png/penn-state-university.png)
Pennsylvania State University — University Park
- State College, PA
Academic Highlights: Penn State offers 275 majors and a number of top-ranked programs in a host of disciplines. The College of Engineering is rated exceptionally well on a national scale and is also the most popular field of study, accounting for 15% of the degrees conferred. The Smeal College of Business is equally well-regarded, earning high rankings in everything from supply chain management to accounting to marketing. It attracts 15% of total degree-seekers. 61% of classes have an enrollment below thirty students.
Professional Outcomes: By graduation, 70% of Nittany Lions have found their next employment or graduate school home. 98% of College of Business grads are successful within three months of exiting, flocking in large numbers to stellar finance, accounting, consulting, and technology firms. Hundreds of alumni work at Citi, Salesforce, and Meta, and more than 500 currently work at each of IBM, Deloitte, PwC, Amazon, EY, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. 75% of 2022 grads employed full-time earned starting salaries greater than $50k.
- Enrollment: 41,745 (undergraduate); 7,020 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $32,656 (in-state); $52,610 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![Bryant University](jpg/bryant-logo-e1711728752891.jpg)
Bryant University
- Smithfield, RI
Academic Highlights: Bryant offers nearly 2o undergraduate majors across three schools/colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Programs in international business and accounting are particularly strong. Popularity-wise, the overwhelming majority of degrees are conferred in business/management/marketing (82%), followed by communication/journalism (4%), social sciences (4%), and mathematics (4%). 26% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 99% of the Class of 2022 were either employed or pursuing graduate studies. The median salary was $66k. Top employers included Aetna, Ameriprise, Bank of America, Dell, EY, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, Liberty Mutual, PwC, Raytheon, and Target. Those who continued in graduate/professional school did so at a wide range of top institutions such as Auburn, Babson, Boston College, BU, Dartmouth, Fordham, Northeastern, Northwestern, UMass, UConn, and UVA.
- Enrollment: 3,153 (undergraduate); 333 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $73,155
- Median SAT: 1240
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
![University of Pittsburgh](png/pitt.png)
University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, PA
Academic Highlights: Pitt admits freshmen to the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the Swanson School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing. Pitt’s engineering and business schools are top-rated and among the most commonly chosen fields of study. Premed offerings are also top-notch, with majors in the health professions (12%), biology (11%), psychology (9%), and computer science (9%) rounding out the list of most popular majors. Pitt has a strong 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio; 42% of sections have an enrollment of under twenty students.
Professional Outcomes: Within a few months of graduating, 94% of 2022 grads entered full-time employment or full-time graduate or professional school. Engineering, nursing, business, and information sciences majors had 73-86% employment rates while other majors tended to flock to graduate school in large numbers. Employers scooping up the highest number of grads in one recent year included the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (170), PNC (57), BNY Mellon (36), and Deloitte (19). Median starting salaries fluctuated between $37k-65k depending on major.
- Enrollment: 20,220 (undergraduate); 9,268 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $38,034-$43,254 (in-state); $56,400-$66,840 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1360
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![University of San Diego](png/usd-logo-stacked-e1707276898120.png)
University of San Diego
- San Diego, CA
Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can choose from a variety of majors and minors across four schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. Business and accounting receive the most acclaim at USD; 38% of degrees conferred fall under the business umbrella. The next most popular fields are biology (13%), social sciences (10%), engineering (10%), and psychology (8%). 99% of courses at USD contain 39 or fewer students, and 43% enroll fewer than 20 students.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after being handed their diplomas, 90% of recent USD graduates had found their next destination. 65% were employed at a diverse range of employers such as PwC, The Walt Disney Company, the San Diego Padres, NBC Universal, and Tesla. Nearly 25% entered the world of sales, marketing, finance, or accounting. The median starting salary was a healthy $65k. Of the 23% of recent grads who immediately pursued an advanced degree, 36% were studying business, 16% were in engineering programs, and another 17% were in health programs.
- Enrollment: 5,669 (undergraduate); 3,146 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $80,632
- Median SAT: Test Blind
- Median ACT: Test Blind
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
![Syracuse University](png/696a92155fba41482b2724eb76beb6d4.png)
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
Academic Highlights: In total, 200+ majors and 100+ minors are spread across ten undergraduate schools/colleges. The School of Architecture, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and the Newhouse School of Public Communication are all revered names that carry a good deal of weight in their respective fields. The most popular majors include communication/journalism (15%), the social sciences (14%), and business (12%). Despite Syracuse’s size, class sizes are kept reasonably low; 63% contain 20 students or fewer.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after exiting the Carrier Dome for the final time in 2022, 59% of Orangemen and women found employment (92% related to their career goals) and 21% continued to graduate school. The companies employing the most ‘Cuse grads include major media/entertainment management companies like Conde Nast, Bloomberg, and Creative Artists Agency as well as big-name corporations like GE, KPMG, EY, Lockheed Martin, and Morgan Stanley. The average starting salary for 2022 grads was a solid $63k.
- Enrollment: 15,739 (undergraduate); 7,209 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $85,214
- Median SAT: 1340
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
![University of Delaware](png/udel1.png)
University of Delaware
- Newark, DE
Academic Highlights: The University of Delaware offers 150 bachelor’s degree programs. Nearly one-third of students pursue a degree in either business (21%) or engineering (9%), two of the school’s highest-ranked departments. Nursing is popular, with 11% of degrees conferred being in the health professions. Other frequently pursued majors include the social sciences (10%), biology (7%), and education (5%). 62% of courses enroll fewer than 30 students. The university also has the oldest study abroad program in the nation, with 30% of undergrads participating.
Professional Outcomes: 94% of Class of 2022 grads quickly found their next destination. 66% were employed, with 74% taking jobs at for-profit companies, 16% at nonprofits, 7% in K-12 education, and 4% with a government entity. The greatest number of newly minted alums were hired by JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG, EY, ChristianaCare, and Deloitte. The median starting salary for this cohort was $62,000. 28% immediately pursued an advanced degree, with 62% entering master’s programs, 20% entering a professional program, and 9% beginning a PhD.
- Enrollment: 18,066 (undergraduate); 4,557 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $33,718 (undergraduate); $57,358 (graduate)
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
![University of Connecticut](png/2560px-university_of_connecticut_logo.svg-e1707763420715.png)
University of Connecticut
- Storrs, CT
Academic Highlights: UConn is home to fourteen schools and colleges as well as 115+ undergraduate majors. The four most commonly conferred undergraduate degrees are in business (15%), engineering (12%), the social sciences (12%), and health professions/nursing (12%). In terms of prestige and national reputation, programs in business, pharmacy, and nursing carry a good deal of weight. The school also does a nice job of creating a balance of classroom experiences—53% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and only 18% contain more than fifty.
Professional Outcomes: 90% of the Class of 2022 experienced a positive outcome (job, grad school, military, volunteer position) within six months of earning their degrees. Among the 59% who found employment, the largest numbers landed at Aetna, Cigna, PwC, The Hartford, Travelers, and Raytheon Technologies; the median starting salary was $62,400. Massive numbers of alumni are employed by Pratt & Whitney, Pfizer, IBM, and Deloitte. 30% of 2022 graduates immediately entered a graduate or professional program, with many choosing to stay at UConn.
- Enrollment: 18,983 (undergraduate); 8,020 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $41,606 (in-state); $64,478 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1340
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
![University of Denver](png/2fe150774f435faf1e5973e01b7a4487-e1707513754516.png)
University of Denver
- Denver, CO
Academic Highlights: There are 200 total degree programs at the University of Denver, with small class sizes being the norm as 55% of sections contain no more than 19 students, and 80% enroll a maximum of 29 individuals. The Daniels College of Business is highly respected by employers and attracts the greatest number of undergraduates. 32% of the degrees conferred in 2022 were in business/marketing, 16% were in the social sciences, 9% in biology, 9% in psychology, 8% in communication/journalism, and 7% in the visual and performing arts.
Professional Outcomes: 90% of 2022 Pioneer grads successfully entered the world of employment or graduate school within six months of earning their bachelor’s degree. 59% were employed full-time with a mean starting salary of $62k. Top employers included KPMG, Brown Brothers Harriman, Lockheed Martin, Epic, and Oracle. Other corporations employing 70 or more DU alums include CenturyLink, Charles Schwab, Comcast, Deloitte, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. 27% of 2022 graduates elected to continue their education in a graduate program.
- Enrollment: 6,160 (undergraduate); 7,583 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $80,614
- Median SAT: 1310
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 77%
We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Finance to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:
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