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Is it worth doing a PhD to secure a job in finance?

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The 10 Best PhD Programs in Finance

Lisa Marlin

In essence, finance is the study of economics and the claims on resources. The best PhD programs in finance help you develop professionally so you can make difficult decisions around fund allocation, financial planning, and corporate financial management. This qualification will also equip you for a career in teaching or research at top universities.

Which of the 10 best finance PhDs is best for you?

Read on to learn everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

Why Get a Doctorate in Finance?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), finance managerial professionals have an average salary of $131,710  per year, and jobs are estimated to grow by 17%  from 2020 to 2030. This is much more than the average across all occupations. With a PhD in finance, you may work as a finance manager or even become a CEO of a large corporation.

Jobs and Salaries for Doctors of Finance

After earning a PhD in finance, you can find well-paid jobs as a professor or in various corporate finance roles.

Here are some of the most common finance professions with the average annual salaries for each:

  • Financial Manager ( $96,255 )
  • Financial Analyst ( $63,295 )
  • Finance Professor ( $73,776 )
  • Chief Financial Officer ( $140,694 )
  • Investment Analyst ( $67,730 )

Read More:   The Highest Paying PhD Programs

What’s the average cost of a phd program in finance.

The tuition for a PhD in finance can vary depending on the university, with public institutions generally being much more affordable than private ones.

Across all schools, the average tuition is around $30,000 per year.

However, on top of this, you need to factor in other expenses, which could add up to another $30,000 a year. Some top universities offer full funding, including tuition and a stipend for all students who are successfully admitted to the program.

Read Next: The Average Cost of a Master’s Degree in Finance

Top finance phd programs and schools, stanford university, graduate school of business.

PhD in Finance

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Stanford University is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Its PhD in finance programs has an emphasis on theoretical modeling and empirical testing of financial and economic principles.

  • Courses include: Financial markets, empirical asset pricing, macroeconomics, and financial markets.
  • Duration: 5 years
  • Tuition : Full funding
  • Financial aid: Research & teaching assistantship, grants, outside employment, and outside support.
  • Delivery: On-campus
  • Acceptance rate: 5%
  • Location: Stanford, California

The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School

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The University of Pennsylvania’s renowned Wharton School of Business is home to faculty who are well-known in the field of business research. The school boasts a low student-faculty ratio in an atmosphere that allows you to work with faculty members as peers. This doctor of finance program emphasizes subjects like asset pricing, corporate finance, and portfolio management. This helps students become experts in research and teaching in these areas.

  • Courses include: Topics in asset pricing, financial economics, and international finance.
  • Credits: 18 courses
  • Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, student employment, health insurance, stipend, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 9%
  • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

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Booth School of Business is a major center for finance education because its faculty includes Eugene F. Fama, Nobel laureate and the father of modern empirical finance. This finance doctoral degree has an option for a joint PhD in collaboration with the university’s economics department.

  • Courses: Financial economics, financial markets in the macroeconomy, and behavioral finance.
  • Tuition : Refer tuition page
  • Financial aid: Grants, stipends, health insurance, scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 7%
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

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The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is one of the best places for studying and conducting research in finance. Its finance research faculty was ranked #4  in the UTD Top 100 Business School Research Rankings between 2016-2019. In this PhD in finance program, students can take the qualifying examination at the end of the first year and, if successful. They’ll be able to start their research project earlier and complete the degree sooner.

  • Courses include: Empirical analysis in finance, corporate finance, and statistics & probability.
  • Duration: 4-5 years
  • Financial aid: Full tuition waiver, stipends, scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 63%
  • Location: Champaign, Illinois

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

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The Sloan School is one of the top research centers in the world, which aims to transform students into experts who can handle real-world problems in a wide range of spheres, from business and healthcare to climate change. This PhD program in finance gives students the flexibility to choose between a wide range of electives and even study some courses at Harvard.

  • Courses include: Current research in financial economics, statistics/applied econometrics, and corporate finance.
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Financial aid: Full tuition, stipend, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, health insurance, fellowships, scholarships, and loans.
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

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The Kellogg School of Management allows students to conduct independent research under the supervision of faculty who’ve made significant contributions to the field and have earned numerous prestigious awards. This doctorate of finance program’s admission process has a dual application option. You can also apply to the Economics PhD simultaneously, so if you are not selected for the finance program, you may be considered for economics.

  • Courses include: Econometrics, corporate finance, and asset pricing.
  • Duration: 5.5 years
  • Financial aid: Tuition scholarship, stipends, health insurance, moving allowance, and subsidies.
  • Location: Evanston, Illinois

The University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

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The Haas School of Business in Berkeley is an innovative institution that questions the status quo, takes intelligent risks, and accepts sensible failures in its path to progress. This finance PhD program offers students opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research from faculty from around the world.

  • Courses include: Corporate finance theory, stochastic calculus, and applications of psychology & economics.
  • Tuition : Refer cost page
  • Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, tuition allowance, stipends, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Location: Berkeley, California

The University of Texas at San Antonio, Alvarez College of Business

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The Alvarez College of Business is one of the forty largest business schools in the USA. It follows a comprehensive and practical approach to education that allows students to apply the knowledge they gain directly in the workplace. This PhD in finance encourages students to do collaborative research with the faculty, which helps them publish their own academic papers before they even complete the program.

  • Courses include: Corporate finance, international financial markets, and microeconomic theory.
  • Credits: 84 (post-bachelors)
  • Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, work-study, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, research fellowships, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 84%
  • Location: San Antonio, Texas

Liberty University, School of Business

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Finance

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Liberty University is a non-profit institution among the top five online schools in the USA and has been offering fixed tuition fees for the past seven years. This is one of the best PhD in Finance programs you can do completely online. It aims to prepare students to address issues in business finance through research, best practices, and relevant literature.

  • Courses: Managerial Finance, Investments & Derivatives, Business Valuation, etc.
  • Credits: 60
  • Duration: 3 years average
  • Tuition : $595 per credit
  • Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, work-study, veteran benefits, and loans.
  • Delivery: Online
  • Acceptance rate: 50%
  • Location: Lynchburg, Virginia

Northcentral University

PhD in Business Administration (PhD-BA) – Finance Management

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Northcentral University was founded with the objective of offering flexible, fully-online programs to working professionals around the world. This doctorate degree in finance online is flexible and allows you to design your own schedule. You will also get one-on-one personal mentoring from qualified faculty.

  • Courses include: Business financial systems, business statistics, and business leadership & strategy.
  • Duration: 84 months average
  • Tuition: $1,105 per credit
  • Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and military scholarships.
  • Acceptance rate: NA
  • Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Things To Consider When Choosing a Finance PhD Program

The right PhD program for you is a very personal decision and will depend on several individual factors.

However, these general questions will help you to make the right choice:

  • Is the university properly accredited?
  • Does the university conduct innovative and cutting-edge research?
  • Are there renowned faculty members who you’ll want to work with?
  • Do they offer subjects or specializations that match your career goals?
  • What is the school’s placement history?
  • What are the tuition fees, costs, and options for scholarships and financial aid?
  • Does the program offer online study options?

It’s also important to consider if you want to pursue a career in academia or work in organizations as a senior finance professional. A PhD degree will generally set you up for a career in research or academia, while a DBA is more suited to a career in business or government.

Preparing for a Finance Doctorate Program

It’s important to start preparing early if you want to be selected for one of the best finance PhD programs.

These handy tips can help you put your best foot forward:

  • Research the requirements of the best universities offering PhD in finance degrees, including pre-requisite subjects and qualifying grades. Keep these in mind when completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree.
  • Understand your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the program’s requirements. Work on your weaknesses and continue to hone relevant skills.
  • Read extensively in the field and keep up-to-date on regional and global developments.
  • Join communities of finance professionals to build your network and be exposed to the latest knowledge in the discipline.

Skills You Gain from Earning a PhD in Finance

The most important skills you learn as a doctor of finance include:

  • Communication skills, including writing and presentation skills
  • Data analytical skills
  • Economics and accounting skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Mathematical skills
  • Analytical software skills
  • Management and leadership skills
  • Problem-solving skills

PhD Programs in Finance FAQs

How long does a phd in finance take.

PhD programs in finance usually take between three and eight years to complete.

Is It Worth Getting a PhD in Finance?

A PhD in Finance is a qualification that’s in high demand today. It is a terminal degree and can help you get top-level jobs with lucrative salaries in corporate or large organizations.

How Much Can You Make With a PhD in Finance?

With a finance doctorate, you can expect to earn a salary anywhere from around $45,000 to $150,000, depending on your experience, role, and the organization you work for. According to the BLS, the average salary for finance PhD holders is $131,710 .

What Do You Need To Get a PhD in Finance?

The admissions requirements vary depending on the program, but you’ll typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance. The programs can take three to eight years of coursework and research.

To apply, you’ll usually need to submit:

  • Application
  • Academic resume
  • Academic transcripts
  • Recommendation letters
  • GRE or GMAT score
  • Personal essay

Final Thoughts

With a doctorate in finance, you can build a rewarding career in academia, research, or the business sector. Like any doctorate, these programs ask for dedication and hard work. By planning early, you’ll set yourself up to pursue one of the best PhD programs in finance.

For more on how to build your career in the field, take a look at our guides to the best master’s degree in finance , the highest paying PhDs , and fully-funded PhD programs .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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phd in finance after ca

From the Finance Ph.D. Liaison

phd in finance after ca

“Welcome to UCLA Anderson’s Finance area, long recognized as one of the world’s top programs. Our Ph.D. students work with renowned faculty whose expertise covers corporate finance, macroeconomics, asset pricing, derivatives, investments and behavioral finance. The UCLA Anderson Doctoral Program is highly selective. We expect you to develop a passion and tenacity for excellent research in finance and, through mentorship and collaboration, we prepare you for a distinguished academic career. We look forward to receiving your application.”

Barney Hartman-Glaser Professor of Finance

Explore the Program

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Managed portfolios that take less risk when volatility is high produce large, positive alphas and increase factor Sharpe ratios by substantial amounts. Muir, together with co-author Alan Moreira, documents a profitable trading strategy that increases stock market exposure in low volatility episodes and reduces exposure in high volatility times.  

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Robert Richmond (’16)

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In 2016, Robert Richmond earned the Conference on International Finance Best Paper Award (2016), the Cubist Systematic Strategies Ph.D. Candidate Award for Outstanding Research and the Xavier Drèze award for most outstanding Ph.D. research paper. His current research uncovers an economic source of exposure to global risk that drives international asset prices.

phd in finance after ca

Mindy Xiaolan Zhang (’14)

First academic placement: UT Austin

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phd in finance after ca

Tobias J. Moskowitz (’98)

First academic placement: University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Recipient of numerous honors and awards, Tobias "Toby" Moskowitz is one of UCLA Anderson's Inspirational 100 alumni. Moskowitz was named the inaugural Dean Takahashi '80 B.A., '83 M.P.P.M. Professor of Finance at Yale School of Management in 2016. He was previously the Fama Family Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he had taught since 1998. In 2011, he co-authored the best-selling book Scorecasting , which uses economic principles to explain the hidden side of sports.

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phd in finance after ca

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Winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Economic Science, William Sharpe was mentored at UCLA by the late Professor J. Fred Weston. Sharpe was one of the originators of the Capital Asset Pricing Model and developed the Sharpe Ratio for investment performance analysis. He co-founded the independent investment advisory firm Financial Engines.

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PhD Program

In the last decade, the academic study of finance has experienced an infusion of new concepts and quantitative methodologies that place it among the most sophisticated and dynamic areas of business and economics. New developments in the traditional areas of finance-theory of rational investor portfolio choice, interpretation and determination of security prices, and efficient corporate decision-making have been approached from the perspective of a single integrating paradigm derived from economic theory. This has led to extensive joint teaching and research between the finance, applied economics, and accounting faculties at Berkeley. Academic contributions are having profound effects on financial practice.

Program Overview

A Haas PhD student interested in finance needs a strong course background in mathematics and statistics. This is a prerequisite to the sequence of doctoral seminars in finance (PHDBA 239 A-D and PHDBA 229C).

Students also attend frequent seminars to gain exposure to ongoing research, with speakers featured from other universities throughout the world. These seminars provide a forum for doctoral students to assess the relevance of academic research in their fields.

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The field of finance covers the economics of claims on resources. Financial economists study the valuation of these claims, the markets in which they are traded, and their use by individuals, corporations, and the society at large.

At Stanford GSB, finance faculty and doctoral students study a wide spectrum of financial topics, including the pricing and valuation of assets, the behavior of financial markets, and the structure and financial decision-making of firms and financial intermediaries.

Investigation of issues arising in these areas is pursued both through the development of theoretical models and through the empirical testing of those models. The PhD Program is designed to give students a good understanding of the methods used in theoretical modeling and empirical testing.

Preparation and Qualifications

All students are required to have, or to obtain during their first year, mathematical skills at the level of one year of calculus and one course each in linear algebra and matrix theory, theory of probability, and statistical inference.

Students are expected to have familiarity with programming and data analysis using tools and software such as MATLAB, Stata, R, Python, or Julia, or to correct any deficiencies before enrolling at Stanford.

The PhD program in finance involves a great deal of very hard work, and there is keen competition for admission. For both these reasons, the faculty is selective in offering admission. Prospective applicants must have an aptitude for quantitative work and be at ease in handling formal models. A strong background in economics and college-level mathematics is desirable.

It is particularly important to realize that a PhD in finance is not a higher-level MBA, but an advanced, academically oriented degree in financial economics, with a reflective and analytical, rather than operational, viewpoint.

Faculty in Finance

Anat r. admati, juliane begenau, jonathan b. berk, michael blank, greg buchak, antonio coppola, darrell duffie, steven grenadier, benjamin hébert, arvind krishnamurthy, hanno lustig, matteo maggiori, paul pfleiderer, joshua d. rauh, claudia robles-garcia, ilya a. strebulaev, vikrant vig, jeffrey zwiebel, emeriti faculty, robert l. joss, george g.c. parker, myron s. scholes, william f. sharpe, kenneth j. singleton, james c. van horne, recent publications in finance, monetary tightening and u.s. bank fragility in 2023: mark-to-market losses and uninsured depositor runs, trading stocks builds financial confidence and compresses the gender gap, expectations and the neutrality of interest rates, recent insights by stanford business, a “grumpy economist” weighs in on inflation’s causes — and its cures, the surprising economic upside to money in u.s. politics, your summer 2024 podcast playlist.

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PhD Program

  • Program of Study

Wharton’s PhD program in Finance provides students with a solid foundation in the theoretical and empirical tools of modern finance, drawing heavily on the discipline of economics.

The department prepares students for careers in research and teaching at the world’s leading academic institutions, focusing on Asset Pricing and Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Financial Institutions and Macroeconomics.

Wharton’s Finance faculty, widely recognized as the finest in the world, has been at the forefront of several areas of research. For example, members of the faculty have led modern innovations in theories of portfolio choice and savings behavior, which have significantly impacted the asset pricing techniques used by researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Another example is the contribution by faculty members to the analysis of financial institutions and markets, which is fundamental to our understanding of the trade-offs between economic systems and their implications for financial fragility and crises.

Faculty research, both empirical and theoretical, includes such areas as:

  • Structure of financial markets
  • Formation and behavior of financial asset prices
  • Banking and monetary systems
  • Corporate control and capital structure
  • Saving and capital formation
  • International financial markets

Candidates with undergraduate training in economics, mathematics, engineering, statistics, and other quantitative disciplines have an ideal background for doctoral studies in this field.

Effective 2023, The Wharton Finance PhD Program is now STEM certified.

  • Course Descriptions
  • Course Schedule
  • Dissertation Committee and Proposal Defense
  • Meet our PhD Students
  • Visiting Scholars

More Information

  • Apply to Wharton
  • Doctoral Inside: Resources for Current PhD Students
  • Wharton Doctoral Program Policies
  • Transfer of Credit
  • Research Fellowship

COMMENTS

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    Wharton’s PhD program in Finance provides students with a solid foundation in the theoretical and empirical tools of modern finance, drawing heavily on the discipline of economics.