PhD in finance

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

27

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

New York:

35%

Florida:

5%

California:

15%

Illinois:

4%

Others:

21%

Texas:

10%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Graduation Rate

71%

Job Placement

93%

Top recruiters

Deloitte

JPMorgan Chase

Goldman Sachs

Bank of America

Morgan Stanley

McKinsey

Aetna

Dell

BAE Systems

Visa

AECOM

McGill University

Marsh McLennan

McAfee

Dell Technologies

Mastercard

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$12,870 / year

Overall Cost

$27,870 / year

FAQs

• What are the career outcomes for graduates?
  
  Graduates are prepared for academic and research careers at universities, research institutions, and industry. The program’s alumni have a strong record of success in academia and beyond, supported by world-class faculty and research facilities
• How many credits are required and what is the duration?
  
  The program requires 72 credit hours and is typically completed in 36 months (minimum), though most students take longer to finish.
• What are the admission requirements?
  
  Applicants should have a strong background in quantitative subjects and submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and standardized test scores (English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Duolingo for international applicants)
• What is the structure and curriculum of the program?
  
  The program is full-time and typically takes a minimum of three years to complete, with most students finishing in five years. Students complete coursework in macroeconomic and microeconomic theory, mathematics for economists, econometric theory, and finance seminars. By the end of the first year, students present a research progress paper. By the end of the second year, they must present a full research paper of publishable quality. After the second year, students must pass a comprehensive exam, which includes written questions based on finance research classes and a paper review for a hypothetical journal. Students then focus on dissertation research under faculty supervision, with ongoing annual reviews and participation in research workshops.
• What are the main research areas in the program?
  
  Research focuses on three core areas: Investments: Capital market efficiency, asset pricing, portfolio management, and market microstructure. Corporate Finance: Capital structures, corporate control, and financial management of corporate assets. Financial Institutions: Management and operation of financial institutions.
• What is the focus of the PhD in Finance program at the University at Buffalo?
  
  The program is designed to develop a deep understanding of statistical tools and methods used in theoretical modeling and empirical testing in finance. Students examine finance research issues using economics, mathematics, decision theory, and statistics, preparing for careers as productive researchers and teachers at top universities