ADMISSIONS
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥â€™s MSF program is a rigorous academic experience for those individuals looking for a full-time graduate experience. The program prepares students to work collaboratively in a diverse environment and as such our Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach in selecting our small class size each year.
We encourage applicants to apply early to one of the rounds below. It is recommended that all international students apply by Round 2 (January 15) due to VISA and embassy wait times.
Please note: The Admissions Committee will not review your application until all required materials have been received.
Application Deadlines
Round 1: 11/15
Round 2: 1/15
Round 3: 3/15
Round 4: 6/15
MSF Tuition: $54,150 ($1,805 per credit, 30 credits total)
Living Expenses: $15,000
Mandatory Health Insurance: $2,360
Total: $71,510
The university also assesses a $100 general fee each semester.
All application materials (transcripts, etc.) should be sent electronically to gradbusinessinfo@villanova.edu or when necessary by physical mail to:
Graduate Business Programs
Bartley Hall 1064
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University
800 East Lancaster Ave
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥, PA 19085
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Start an online application from our How to Apply page.
Please prepare a business resume that includes your educational and professional information.
One official transcript from each postsecondary educational institution for which nine credit hours or more of course work was taken must be sent to the Graduate Business Office via the information above. ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ alumni must have their transcripts sent officially through the Registrar's office to the Graduate Business Office.
Unofficial transcripts may be used for admissions review. However, official degree bearing transcripts will be required before the start of classes.
Recommendations can be professional references from individuals who know you in an employment setting (internships work as well) and are written by a current/previous supervisor. For those students who do not have work experience, academic recommendations are welcomed. Please refrain from using personal recommendations (family, friends, etc.).
The essay question is as follows:
The ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ MSF prepares students for a successful and meaningful career within the finance industry. Please discuss your short and long-term career plans, and address the following questions: in what ways do you plan to use the ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ MSF to meet your professional goals? What motivates you – academically, personally, and/or professionally – to meet these goals?
All applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of $65. The fee is to be paid by credit card on the online application site when you submit.
Applicants who meet the criteria below are not required to, but will have the option to submit a GMAT or GRE score.
- Received an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher, with a major in a quantitative discipline (Ex: Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, Information Systems, etc.)
- Hold a master's degree from an accredited university in a technical or quantitative field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Hold an advanced degree such as MBA, JD, MD, or PhD
If applicants do not meet the above criteria, submitting a GMAT or GRE score can demonstrate their ability to succeed in quantitative MSF coursework. Candidates that do not fit one of the above profiles are therefore required to submit a GMAT or GRE score. If you have questions about test scores, please contact Shea McCormick - shea.mccormick@villanova.edu
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION
Requirements for international students are similar to those for domestic candidates. For more information, please visit our International Students information page. Please note the following differences and additions:
- Official transcripts of academic credentials
One official transcript from each postsecondary educational institution for which nine credit hours or more of course work were taken. All transcripts (academic records) must be official documents. They must represent a course-by-course evaluation from a translation service such as WES or ECE. - Equivalency of U.S. Bachelor's Degree
Applicants who studied at colleges and universities outside the U.S. should have a degree or diploma that is the equivalent of the U.S. bachelor's degree or higher. International credentials are assessed in terms of the educational pattern of the country, the type of institution attended, and the level of study completed before the expected date of enrollment in VSB. In general, the degree should represent a minimum of 4years of college-level study following at least 12 years of schooling at the elementary and secondary level. - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants for whom English is not the primary language. An iBT minimum score of 90 is required. Scores are valid for two years. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service. Information regarding test dates, test centers, and fees may be obtained by visiting . Please send scores to school code 2959. - Financial Support Documents
The U.S. Department of State requires that international students admitted to an academic program in the United States have a student visa to enter the country and remain here for the duration of the program. Most students attend the program on an F-1 visa. To be issued an F-1 visa you must first obtain an I-20 document from ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University. To receive an I-20, you are required to submit proof of sufficient funding.
You may show funding from different sources as long as the total funding available meets the university’s guidelines for minimum funding for one full academic year of study (MSF tuition), plus $15,000 toward living costs:
MSF Tuition: $54,150 ($1,805 per credit, 30 credits total)
Living Expenses: $15,000
Mandatory Health Insurance: $2,360
Total: $71,510 The university also assesses a $100 general fee each semester.
Acceptable proof of funding for privately sponsored applicants is a certified current bank statement on official bank letterhead, signed by an authorized bank official, indicating that sufficient funds exist in U.S. dollars. An explanation of the relationship of the account holder to the applicant (i.e. self, spouse, parents, other relatives) should accompany the funding documents.
All sponsorship letters and bank statements must be written in English and must be dated within the 3 months of issuing the I-20 document. Documents older than 3 months will need to be reissued. If you requested and were granted a deferral of admission, you must resubmit your documents dated no earlier than 3 months prior to the enrollment confirmation date indicated in your deferral letter.
TUITION
The 2024-25 academic year tuition for the entire program is $54,150 or $1,805 per credit. The university also assesses a $100 general fee each semester.
Please note that if you require additional coursework beyond the standard curriculum, your tuition costs will be higher.
FINANCING YOUR MSF
The VSB admissions team encourages you to apply for scholarship as early as possible within the current admissions cycle. Funding is limited and available on a first come first serve basis. Scholarship applications will be found in your application status portal after your application has been reviewed by the admissions office. Scholarship offers and award amounts will be determined by a holistic review of the application for admission and thorough evaluation of a variety of indicators, including (but not limited to) rigor of coursework, undergraduate GPA and standardized test scores.
The ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ School of Business is pleased to offer merit scholarships to academically and professionally accomplished students. Scholarship offers and award amounts will be determined by a holistic review of the application for admission and thorough evaluation of a variety of indicators, including (but not limited to) rigor of coursework, undergraduate GPA and standardized test scores. Once admitted, interested individuals must submit the Scholarship Request Form, which will appear on the applicant's Application Status Page after viewing their admissions decision. Once submitted, the request will be reviewed for merit award eligibility.
Information regarding financial assistance available to graduate students may be obtained from the ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University Office of Financial Assistance.Ìý
The Master of Finance Fellows Program is an assistantship that allows students to pursue their degree on a full-time basis while obtaining paid research experience with VSB faculty and staff members. Fellows are required to work 10 hours per week in the fall and spring semesters and agree to serve as Admissions Ambassadors at select events. Any previous employment must be terminated by the start of the program to remain eligible. In exchange, fellows receive a 50% tuition discount and a stipend, which will be paid bi-weekly over the course of the fall and spring semesters. Please submit the MSF to be considered.