By Kara Sherrer
Class of 2020 graduates from the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program at Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management reported median base salary earnings of $80,000. They also reported a median signing bonus of $10,000.
The Vanderbilt MSF program has an excellent track record of employment outcomes, and this trend continued with the Class of 2020 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year, 95 percent of MSF students accepted an offer within 3 months of graduation (98 percent accepted within 6 months).
“I am incredibly proud of how the Vanderbilt MSF Class of 2020 graduates navigated an unprecedented year while launching their careers, supporting each other, and giving back to their communities,” said Megan Nichols, Senior Associate Director of the Career Management Center.
Almost half (49 percent) of the MSF Class of 2020 entered the investment banking industry. Graduates also accepted positions in a variety of other functions, including investment and research, real estate, consulting, corporate finance, and private equity. The offers were geographically diverse: 37 percent of students stayed in the South, 32 percent re-located to the Northeast, and the remaining third spread out to various parts of the country. (One student also accepted an offer in China.)
Thirty-five percent of offers came through alumni referrals, demonstrating the continuing strength of the Vanderbilt and Owen alumni networks. “A loyal and accessible alumni network is essential in today’s competitive job market, and we would not be able to achieve these strong employment outcomes without the support of our dedicated Vanderbilt alumni,” Nichols said.
The Career Management Center begins working with MSF students before they even set foot on campus. “Our focus on networking and early career programming — MSF job search preparation launches months before classes begin — give our students a key competitive advantage,” Nichols said.
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 2021.
If you’re interested in starting your career in finance with these kinds of outcomes, click here to apply to the MSF program.
