The Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs Master of Science in Quantitative Finance program is open to Penn students with strong, quantitative backgrounds that are interested in working in quantitative asset management and allied fields.
Students apply in their third year, complete a related summer internship after graduation, and take Jacobs MSQF program courses in a fifth year at Penn. Fourth-year students may apply in 2025–2026, although admitted seniors may be required to take a gap year.
Important Dates for the 2026 Application Cycle
- Application Open: Monday, September 15, 2025
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- Decision Release: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Enrollment Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026
Prerequisites
We encourage all students interested in applying to the inaugural Jacobs MSQF program cohort to work with their Academic Advisors to ensure all prerequisite courses can be completed within the necessary time frame.
Need help mapping your schedule? Download our detailed Jacobs MSQF program brochure to use in conversation with your Advisors.
- Students apply during their third year of undergraduate study, complete a related summer internship post-graduation, and focus solely on Jacobs MSQF program courses during a fifth year at Penn.
- Before earning your bachelor’s degree, complete MATH 2400 Calculus Part III or ESE 2030 Linear Algebra with Applications to Engineering and AI (or an equivalent course with permission of the Faculty Director).
- Complete two prerequisite foundations classes: FNCE 1000 Corporate Finance and ACCT 1010 Accounting and Financial Reporting. These courses must be taken by the end of the student’s fourth year and are not part of the 10 CUs required for the degree.
- While there is no required STAT course, some STAT background will be considered advantageous during the admission process. Students requiring greater STAT comprehension should take STAT 1010 and STAT 1020 Introduction to Business Statistics during their fourth year.
- There is no coding course required, but students lacking the requisite coding skills are advised to take a course (e.g., OIDD 4770) during their fourth year.
Candidate Profile
- The Jacobs MSQF program is designed for students wanting careers in asset management firms, hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds, endowments, family offices, sovereign wealth funds, and related quantitative asset management areas.
- Applicants must be current Penn undergraduates in their third year (or transfer students in their second year at Penn) across Penn’s various schools, including Wharton, with a strong interest in quantitative finance and demonstrated solid quantitative training.
- Successful candidates will have a strong proficiency at coding and coursework in math, statistics, and economics.
- NOTE:
»For single-degree students, the undergraduate degree must be completed in no more than eight semesters or the student will not be eligible to continue with the Jacobs MSQF degree.
» Uncoordinated dual-degree students are encouraged to speak with their Advisors before applying.
» Fourth-year Penn students are welcome to apply, but admitted seniors may be asked to take a gap year.
Tuition & Costs
| Estimated Tuition/Fees | Estimate for 8 CUs |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $68,000 |
| University Fees | $4,850 |
| Total Tuition & Fees | $72,850 |
| Estimated Living Expenses (Fall & Spring) | |
| Room | $13,000 |
| Board | $6,000 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,400 |
| Transportation | $1,000 |
| Personal | $2,000 |
| Health Insurance | $4,700 |
| Total Expenses | $28,100 |
- Estimates are based on current master’s degree tuition and costs for the 2025-2026 year and will vary somewhat, based on date of enrollment.
- Estimate assumes 8 CUs will be required. Depending on background, students may need more CUs to meet degree requirements. Each additional CU will cost approximately $8,500.
Application Details
Required Materials
- An essay (300 words maximum)
Topic: As part of the Jacobs MSQF program, students complete a team-based Applied Research Practicum in their final semester, working on real-world challenges provided by industry partners. In 300 words or fewer, propose a potential idea for your practicum.
Your response should include:
1) A research question or problem relevant to quantitative finance
2) The type of company (or companies) with which you would like to collaborate
3) What you hope to learn and how it connects to your goals
- One-Way Video Interview — As part of your application, complete one short video response. This video helps the Admissions Committee get to know you and your research interests beyond your written materials.
- Resume — Include one page with relevant academic, internship, research, and/or leadership experiences.
- One Letter of Recommendation — This should come from an individual who is well acquainted with your performance, preferably a current or recent professor or research advisor.
- Standardized Test Results — Either the GRE or GMAT are optional in academic year 2025-2026, but will be required in future years.
- Transcripts — Request these from each university where you have earned course credit.
