UF Undergraduate vs UF Graduate Programs

[Tire2024]

I know UF is ranked middle of the pack for undergraduate (mid-30s) in USA News polls, but I was wondering which is stronger, UF’s undergrad programs or UF’s grad school programs? In this case, let’s use Economics and Finance field because that’s the field I’m going to study this fall. I hear mixed opinions such as UF’s undergrad program is better and other times I hear UF’s grad school is better than their undergrad program.

So if anyone can help me out figuring out the truth, I would really appreciate it.

[Gator88NE]

Comparing undergraduate programs to graduate programs is an apple to orange comparison. They are very different things. What you’re hearing is someone’s opinion on what is “better”.

I’m not sure about Economics, but UF’s Finance program, undergraduate and graduate programs are exceptional (and very competitive).

The best way to get into UF’s competitive Finance graduate program, is to have been in UF"s undergraduate program…

https://warrington.ufl.edu/master-of-science-in-finance/

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program was started in 2001 and has evolved to primarily a Combined Degree Program for students from various University of Florida undergraduate degree programs wanting to complete both their undergraduate degree and a Master of Science in Finance degree within four years.

UF undergraduate students apply during their second year on campus and they begin MSF courses their third year. Students take graduate level finance courses alongside MBA students, and in MSF-only classes, in lieu of some of their undergraduate degree courses. The students intern the summer after their third year with the firm they plan to return to full-time upon graduation. Most MSF students come from undergraduate finance, accounting, economics and mathematics programs.

[Anisqoyo]

Ranked mid-30’s is the “middle of the pack”?

[Tire2024]

@Gator88NE For me, would it make much sense to apply for MSF if I’m not sure if I want to attend Grad school at UF? My issue is if a Masters Degree in Finance from UF going to be considered more inferior than a Master Degree from a program like U Chicago’s, Duke’s, Stanford’s, Berkeley’s, or Columbia’s? Or is UF’s Fianance program prestigious enough that it compares evenly to many of the top grad school business programs?

[Gator88NE]

You can always attend UF for undergrad, apply to UF’s MSF, and to other schools for grad school. Then pick the one that’s best for you.

[fl1234]

@Tire2024 I only know a little about the MSF program at UF, but it appears that most of the graduates go on to banking and consulting. The companies that they land with are big name institutions including Goldman Sachs, Citi, JP Morgan, etc. You can see the profiles of all of the students back many years on the MSF website.

So, I am not sure if that is the profile of program that you are looking for. But, it appears that the program does not put prestige limits on where they can get jobs upon graduation.

To directly answer your question, certainly this program is not equivalent in prestige to Wharton, Stern, Fuqua or the others you listed. But you have to ask yourself a few questions. Can you get to where you want to go without going to one of the top 5 programs? Is the value you will get from one of those elite schools going to provide you the ROI in your chosen field? Will having a two year time savings in getting your masters degree allow you to advance quicker in your field and make more over time?

So much depends on what you want to do and what field you want to pursue. I suggest to spend some time talking to seasoned people in your chosen field to get their feedback on the importance of prestige in that field. In some it is very important, and others it doesn’t matter.