Is a Master of Finance (MFin) worth it?Or is it better to work for a couple years and get a MBA?

Question

Aarushi S · Accepted Answer

If someone&rsquo;s just starting their career and wants to go deep into finance, a Master of Finance (MFin) is a smart choice. It&rsquo;s focused, fast, and gets results. For instance, Esade Business School in Spain reports a 94% job placement rate within 3 months of graduation for its MFin grads, with an average starting salary of USD 80,271
But for those who already have a few years of work experience and want to grow into leadership roles or explore different business areas, an MBA is a better fit. Esade&rsquo;s MBA, running since 1958, prepares students for top roles across industries.
Both degrees offer strong ROI MFin gets you into finance quickly, while the MBA opens more doors long-term. The best choice depends on your current experience and where you want your career to go.

Mansih K · Answer

It depends on the timing and career goals.

Go for MFin if the aim is to enter finance right after college. Programs like HEC, LBS, and Bocconi accept students with no experience and lead to analyst or associate roles in investment banking, corporate finance, or asset management. Salaries start around &euro;60K&ndash;&euro;70K in Europe and $100K+ in the US.
Choose an MBA later if the plan is to work 3&ndash;5 years first and then move into leadership, consulting, or switch industries. MBA programs like INSEAD or Wharton give broader exposure but require full-time experience.
MFin is more technical and role-specific, while an MBA is more about leadership and long-term mobility.

If someone is clear about staying in finance and wants an early career boost, MFin makes more sense. For switching paths or aiming for senior roles, an MBA works better long term.
For more details you can read this blog on "MBA vs Masters in Finance"

V Gupta · Answer

Whether an MFin is worth it depends on where you are in your career and what you want to do in finance.
MFin programs are usually designed for recent grads or early-career professionals. If the goal is to break into roles like investment banking, asset management, or risk analytics straight out of undergrad, an MFin can get you there faster. Programs like MIT Sloan, LSE, or HEC Paris offer placement in top firms with 0&ndash;2 years of work experience.
An MBA, on the other hand, usually requires 3&ndash;5 years of work experience and is broader in focus ,  more useful if you want leadership roles or switch industries. It's also more expensive and longer. So if there&rsquo;s already clarity that finance is the long-term path, especially in technical or analytical roles, going for an MFin early saves time and gets the foot in the door quicker.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

People often jump into an MFin thinking it&rsquo;s the &ldquo;quicker&rdquo; route ,  but skipping work experience can actually limit the value of the degree in some cases.
&bull; Top MFin programs give great outcomes, but without internships or prior exposure, you&rsquo;ll be competing with candidates who already have hands-on finance experience. &bull; Recruiters at places like BlackRock or JPMorgan often prioritize candidates who&rsquo;ve done internships or have client-facing skills. &bull; Doing 1&ndash;2 years of work, even at a boutique firm or in corporate finance, can sharpen your postgrad focus and help you hit the ground running. &bull; MBA gives more career flexibility, especially for people who later want to shift to consulting or product roles in fintech. &bull; Scholarships and ROI are often better for MBA candidates with experience, while MFin students mostly rely on academic merit.
If unsure about long-term career goals, gaining experience first often makes the next step more strategic.
For more details you  can read this blog on "MBA vs Masters in Finance"

S Raghav · Answer

A Master of Finance (MFin) is worth it if the goal is to break into high-level finance roles early, especially straight after undergrad. For BCom or BBA grads with strong academics and quant skills, an MFin from schools like MIT Sloan, HEC Paris, or LBS can lead to analyst roles at top firms like Goldman Sachs or BlackRock within 12&ndash;16 months.
It&rsquo;s faster and more technical than an MBA, and doesn&rsquo;t require prior work experience. Indian students typically start with salaries between $90K&ndash;$110K in the US and &euro;60K&ndash;&euro;70K in Europe. If someone wants to enter finance quickly with a sharp skill set, an MFin is a strong option.
However, many MFin grads still pursue an MBA later if they want to move into general management or pivot sectors. So while MFin offers a great start in finance, it doesn&rsquo;t close the door to an MBA down the line.