Master's in Financial Engineering overview

The Lehigh MS in Financial Engineering (MFE) program is a cutting-edge program designed to provide a strong education in advanced finance and quantitative financial analysis tools using key concepts from financial theory, applied mathematics, and engineering. Graduates will become instrumental in the creation of innovative solutions for real financial problems using state-of-the-art analytical techniques and computing technology. Under the guidance of Lehigh ISE's world-renowned faculty and their colleagues in the Department of Mathematics and the College of Business, you will gain specialized technical knowledge and an interdisciplinary outlook that opens doors and overcomes obstacles. The program fosters a welcoming, close-knit, and dynamic intellectual community that will elevate your trajectory and prepare you to make a lasting impact in your career.

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Master's in Financial Engineering highlights

  • Full-time, on campus degree program.
  • 1-2 year degree completion.
  • Flexible spring or fall start.
  • #23 TFE Times MFE Ranking in 2025.

Financial Engineering salary and career outlook

The program has a strong track record for placing its graduates in top firms in the financial services, consulting, and technology sectors, including Axtria, Asgard Capital, Ernst & Young, Millennium Management, Quantify Chaos, SMBX Securities, and Swish Analytics. Graduate job responsibilities commonly span consulting, finance/accounting, information technology, and research and development. The average starting salary of graduates is $93,000.

Financial Engineering program format

The curriculum is designed for quantitative career opportunities in portfolio management, trading, risk management, and data science. All students enrolled in the MFE Program must successfully complete 36 graduate credit hours in a common set of analytical, financial, and computational courses. The program includes a capstone practicum project with a financial services firm. Students will have first-hand experience solving real-world problems and make final presentations to a group of potential recruiters.

Financial Engineering collaborations

During your studies, you will participate in a weekly professional development course, where you'll learn networking and job search strategies. You will have access to MFE alumni, who will share insights from their career journeys. Additionally, mock interviews with a career advisor and quant interview preparation sessions are available. You will also have networking opportunities through various trips to Philadelphia, New York City, and Lehigh's annual quant conference.

Financial Engineering external funding

Partial merit-based and alumni tuition scholarships are available.

Master's in Financial Engineering admissions requirements

To be considered for admission to the master's program, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) degree in a related field. A complete application must include:

  • A candidate's personal statement detailing their motivation for graduate study and research interests.
  • The candidate's resume summarizing background relevant to graduate study.
  • Complete transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial copies may be uploaded initially, but official transcripts are required upon accepting an offer of admission.
  • Letters of recommendation from qualified individuals.
  • For international students whose first language is not English who have not studied in the US or countries where English is an official and widely spoken language, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Cambridge English Qualification test scores are required.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $50.
  • GMAT and GRE test scores are optional.
  • A virtual admissions interview with a member of the admissions committee is required.