1. What is the average starting salary and career outcome for a PSU MSF graduate?
Graduates from the most recent class started at an average salary of $90,660, with a median of $95,000 and top offers reaching $125,000. Momentum keeps building after graduation, too - within six months, about 71% of students have been promoted, changed employers, or moved into a new job function. The program delivers tangible career results, with 95% of graduates seeking employment securing roles within six months of finishing their degree.
2. MBA vs. Master of Science in Finance - which is better, or does PSU offer a dual option?
It depends on what you're after. The MBA gives you a broad management foundation - leadership, strategy, cross-functional thinking. The MSF goes narrow and deep: quantitative financial modeling, valuation, analytics. If you don't want to choose, PSU offers a dual MBA/MSF that combines the Portland MBA's leadership training with the MSF's technical rigor, completed in just 2 to 3 years.
3. What companies hire PSU MSF grads, and what roles do they secure?
Graduates land in corporate finance, traditional and impact investing, wealth management, business valuation, and real estate investment. Being based in downtown Portland - Oregon's financial hub - helps: students work with a dedicated Student Career Center that has deep ties across the region's business community, and local employers actively recruit for roles in financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and portfolio management.
4. Is the PSU MSF program good preparation for the CFA exam?
Yes, PSU holds University Affiliate status with the CFA Institute, a distinction reserved for programs whose curriculum closely mirrors the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge. In practice, that means the coursework you're already doing for your degree doubles as CFA exam prep.
5. What are the admission requirements, and is the GMAT/GRE required?
No, PSU has dropped the GMAT/GRE requirement to keep standardized testing from becoming an unnecessary barrier to applying. Instead, here's what you'll need to submit:
- A professional resume
- Transcripts showing an undergraduate degree
- Contact information for two references
- One video essay and three short written essays
- An admissions interview, by invitation
6. Can I get into the PSU MSF with no work experience or a non-finance background?
Yes. While the average student across PSU's graduate business programs has around 5 years of work experience, it isn't a requirement for the MSF specifically - career-changers and recent grads are welcome. If you're an undergraduate finance or accounting major, you can also fast-track through the 4+1 pathways (FIN+MSF or ACTG+MSF), which let you start earning master's credit during your senior year.
7. Is the PSU MSF program STEM-designated?
Yes, fully - a reflection of how much the curriculum leans on quantitative methods, data visualization, and financial technology. For international students, that designation matters a lot: it qualifies you for a 24-month OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months total to work in the U.S. after graduating.
8. What technical skills and practical tools will I learn?
This isn't a theory-only program. You'll work through quantitative forecasting, risk modeling, and data visualization, and get hands-on time with the Bloomberg Terminal at the Jerry Parsons Finance Lab. Beyond the classroom, there's real, applied experience on offer:
- Managing real capital through the Student Managed Equities Stock Fund
- Backing actual startups through Impact Ventures
- Competing in events like the ACG Cup NW and the CFA Research Challenge
9. How much does the program cost, and is financial aid available?
Tuition is billed quarterly by credit hour. Based on the standard 45-credit program, total cost runs roughly:
- Oregon residents: ~$35,690 (fees included)
- Non-residents & international students: ~$43,430 (fees included)
10. How long does the program take to complete, and can I work while enrolled?
You've got two paths, depending on your schedule:
- Full-time: finish in as little as 12 months.
- Part-time: spread the same curriculum over 24 months, with enough flexibility that working professionals don't need to put their careers on hold.