By Kara Sherrer
The MSF Class of 2018
Class of 2018 graduates from the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management reported average base salary earnings of $71,530, a slight increase from last year’s figure of $71,203 and the highest average base salary in the program’s history. The Vanderbilt MSF program has an excellent track record of employment placement, and this trend continued with the Class of 2018, with 93 percent of graduates accepting an offer within six months of graduation.
Investment banking was the most popular sector for employment this year, with 42 percent of graduates accepting positions in the field. However, many graduates also pursued work in other areas, including financial consulting, investment research, business analytics, real estate, corporate finance, and private equity.
Graduates also found equal variety in terms of geographic placement, accepting positions all over the country. New York City was the most popular metro area, followed by Nashville, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
The Career Management Center begins working with the students before they even set foot on campus. “This approach gives the incoming MSF students a competitive advantage in the fall recruiting market,” said Emily Anderson, Director of the Career Management Center.
Anderson also credits the Vanderbilt alumni network, and in particular fellow MSF graduates, with helping the Class of 2018 secure their positions. Roughly one-quarter of accepted offers came from alumni referrals this year. “We could not continue to achieve these employment outcomes without the support of alumni,” she said. “They are a loyal and accessible network that supports and guides the current students as well as provides recruiting contacts and relationships.”
A summary of this year’s MSF employment report may be viewed here.
To learn more about the MSF program at Vanderbilt, discover the ROI of a Master of Science in Finance or meet the Class of 2019.
Want to start your career in finance with these kinds of outcomes? Click here to apply to the MSF program.
