Enrolling in a Master’s in Finance can have a huge impact on your career. In fact, the recent Corporate Recruiters Survey by GMAC found that among Eastern European employers in particular, hiring of finance graduates is expected to increase by one-third throughout 2025.
Studying a Master’s in Finance also lends itself to a versatile range of job opportunities. While many graduates launch lucrative careers in finance, they can also enter a variety of industries—including popular sectors such as consulting and high-paying roles in technology.
So, what are some of the top Master’s in Finance jobs, and which companies will hire you after you graduate?
What is a Master’s in Finance?
Before exploring the top jobs MiF graduates typically secure, it's important to clarify what defines this program.
Master’s in Finance programs are generalist degrees designed to provide students with thorough training in finance, usually covering key areas such as corporate finance, investment management, risk management, and fintech—preparing students for high-flying careers in finance and beyond.
A Master’s in Finance can be ideal for students looking to build deep expertise in the field. As Rodrigo Malta, assistant dean of MBA Marketing, Recruiting, and Admissions at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, explains: “These programs [Specialized Master's] let you dive deeper into one discipline. So, the key question to ask yourself before applying is: Do you want to go deep in one area?”
1. Investment Banker
In investment banking, you’re responsible for buying and selling financial assets. If you picture yourself working at one of Wall Street’s top investment banks, then a Master’s in Finance is a great place to start.
Investment banks regularly hire large numbers of MiF graduates. At Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, for example, over 17% of MiF students go on to work in investment banking. Given that the average salary for an investment banker in New York—a global hub for investment banking—sits at $182k, according to Glassdoor, this is hardly surprising.
Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan consistently rank among the top employers of Master’s in Finance graduates. At MIT Sloan’s most recent Master of Finance cohort, over 13% of graduates entered investment banking roles at companies such as Bank of America.
Ferdinand Petra, the associate professor of finance at HEC Paris, believes an MiF prepares candidates well for a career in investment banking. Not only do students gain the expertise the field requires, but the program also provides exposure to the sector’s working culture:
“It’s highly multicultural, and this is what you will have in investment banking. There’s a great deal to be learned by practicing and doing cases in multicultural teams,” Ferdinand says.
2. Consultant
Consulting is a popular career choice for business school graduates—and it’s no different for finance grads. At UT Austin's McCombs School of Business, 21% of the most recent MiF class joined consulting firms.
Top consulting companies such as McKinsey, Bain, and Boston Consulting Group regularly hire MiF graduates from leading programs. Master’s graduates can expect starting salaries in consulting of around $190k, rising to approximately $250k with signing and performance bonuses.
Keith Bevans, global recruitment and talent acquisition lead at Bain, explains why Big Three consulting firms value MiF graduates:
“MiF students add that financial lens: they tend to have built financial models, they can read financial statements, and they know the role financial organizations can play in a business from a strategy standpoint. This means they have more subject matter expertise than other master’s students would.”
3. Central Banker
Many MiF graduates pursue public finance roles, including positions at global financial institutions or national government banks.
At London Business School, roles at central banks or in public finance are among the top Master’s in Finance career paths, with 81% of the Class of 2024 securing roles within financial services, including with employers such as Bank of America and the Bank of Japan.
While these jobs may not be as highly paid as private-sector financial services roles, they offer strong opportunities for global exposure at a diplomatic level. Christian Dummett, Assistant Dean and Director of Career Development at IMD, believes that a diverse MiF cohort prepares students well:
“You’ll have a broader perspective on the world because you’ll have had that exposure to diverse working groups. It’s really important that when you start your job, you’re not just thinking as a 28-year-old finance person—you’re thinking as a global business person.”
4. Asset Manager
While investment banking is on the “sell side,” asset management sits on the “buy side.” Asset managers seek out financial assets to invest in on behalf of their clients’ portfolios.
Asset management is one of the leading providers of Master’s in Finance jobs; at MIT Sloan School of Management, over 24% of the most recent MiF cohort accepted roles in the sector. This includes positions at leading investment management firms such as BlackRock and Citadel.
Identifying high-value investments requires curiosity and creativity—skills developed during a Master’s in Finance.
“For asset management, you need to be deep thinking, rigorous, and have the tenacity to ask questions that other people don’t ask,” explains Christian.
“This helps you unearth opportunities that other people don’t see.”
5. Sales & Trading
High risk, high reward—sales and trading roles offer exciting career paths for ambitious MiF graduates. Organizations such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have sales and trading divisions that frequently hire MiF graduates.
At MIT Sloan, over 18% of MiF graduates enter sales and trading functions. The average salary for a Sales and Trading Analyst at Morgan Stanley in New York is $110k, according to Glassdoor, with additional pay—including bonuses—ranging between $17k and $31k.
There’s no doubt that sales and trading is one of the most challenging, high-pressure, and time-intensive sectors in finance. To succeed, graduates need a clear understanding of what the role entails before committing.
ESSEC Business School’s Master's in Finance offers a dedicated track in Financial Markets, Sales, and Trading that combines rigorous technical training with the development of essential soft skills. Students gain practical experience through internships and direct exposure to industry professionals, ensuring they are not only proficient in analytics and market instruments but also effective communicators and decision-makers. As Romain Boulland, academic director of ESSEC’s MiF, explains:
“Employers today expect graduates who combine strong technical expertise with the interpersonal skills needed to perform effectively from day one.”
Key takeaways:
⇨ Master’s in Finance jobs are diverse and plentiful, offering strong career pathways across multiple sectors.
⇨ Whether you’re seeking global exposure, high salaries, or a public-sector role, an MiF can open doors to all three.
Download the free BusinessBecause Which Master’s Guide 2025, produced in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, to compare top business master’s programs worldwide and find the degree that best fits your career goals.