Which schools are good for studying finance?

I'm interested in a career in finance and want to know which universities are known for their finance programs. I'm looking for schools with great internship opportunities and strong alumni networks in the financial industry.

When examining universities for strong finance programs, it's advisable to consider both the program's prestige and the opportunities for relevant internships and networking, as you've pointed out. A few names tend to dominate the conversation in finance education. Here are some that often come up:

1. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania: Wharton is renowned for its finance program and extensive alumni network, especially in the financial sector. It's located relatively close to New York City, which is a major hub for finance and offers numerous internship opportunities.

2. New York University's Stern School of Business: Being in the heart of NYC, Stern students have excellent access to Wall Street internships and networking opportunities in the financial district.

3. University of Chicago's Booth School of Business: Booth is known for its finance program and the influential research produced by its faculty. While not in New York, Chicago also has a robust financial sector.

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management: Sloan provides a strong quantitative approach to finance, and MIT's overall prestige in STEM often bleeds into finance as well.

5. University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business: Generally considered one of the top programs on the West Coast, Haas provides access to internships in the financial hubs in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Remember, while these are high-profile schools with reputation and opportunities, it is also critical to find a program that fits your unique needs and goals. Each of these schools will have different academic backgrounds, teaching styles, and campus cultures. Consider which environment would be the most conducive to your developing the skills and experiences needed to succeed in finance.