Overview
The UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) is a 16-month, STEM-designated graduate program designed for students who want to build careers in quantitative finance, financial modeling, trading, risk management, data science and related areas.
The program combines mathematics, statistics, programming and finance with practical experience through a summer internship or fieldwork and the Applied Finance Project. UCLA Anderson also integrates newer areas such as machine learning and AI into its quantitative finance curriculum.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| School | UCLA Anderson School of Management |
| Program | Master of Financial Engineering |
| Duration | 16 months |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Format | Full-time |
| STEM Designated | Yes |
| Credits | 72 units |
| Application Fee | $200 |
What Is the UCLA MFE Program Like?
UCLA MFE is designed for students who want to use quantitative and computational skills to solve real financial problems. The program is particularly focused on the connection between mathematics, statistics, programming and financial markets.
Students learn through classroom courses, practical projects, career development activities, summer fieldwork or research, and the Applied Finance Project.
The program is also part of UCLA Anderson, giving MFE students access to a business-school environment, MBA courses, networking opportunities and a large alumni network.
UCLA MFE Curriculum
The curriculum covers the major technical and financial concepts required for quantitative finance. Students complete 72 units through coursework and the Applied Finance Project.
Core Areas
- Investments
- Financial Accounting
- Econometrics
- Stochastic Calculus
- Empirical Methods in Finance
- Fixed-Income Markets
- Financial Risk Measurement and Management
- Financial Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Electives
Students can also take electives such as Derivative Markets, Trading and Market Frictions, Quantitative Asset Management, Advanced Computational Methods, Behavioral Finance and selected MBA or PhD electives.
AI and Machine Learning
AI is increasingly integrated into the MFE curriculum. Students can study modern machine-learning methods, deep neural networks, large language models and AI agents and apply them to financial problems such as forecasting, financial-text analysis, pricing and quantitative workflows.
Practical Learning
One of the important parts of the UCLA MFE is its practical component. Students can gain experience through summer fieldwork or research in financial engineering and complete the Applied Finance Project.
The Applied Finance Project involves solving a quantitative finance problem for a company or organization with faculty guidance. This gives students an opportunity to apply their technical knowledge to a real-world problem.
UCLA MFE Fees 2026–27
For the class entering in Fall 2026, the UCLA Anderson MFE program fee is $100,719.
| Expense | 2026–27 Amount |
|---|---|
| MFE Program Fees | $100,719 |
| Health Insurance | $10,022.64 |
| UCLA Student Fees | Approximately $1,989+* |
| Application Fee | $200 |
| Enrollment Deposit | $2,000 |
*Student fees and health insurance can change. Living expenses, books, transportation, laptop and other personal costs are additional.
UCLA’s estimated student budget for the Fall 2026 through Spring 2027 academic year is $122,854, including estimated program charges, housing and food, books, travel, personal expenses, student fees and health insurance.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
UCLA Anderson offers merit-based scholarships to MFE students. All completed applications are automatically considered, so a separate scholarship application is not required.
Scholarship decisions can consider academic achievement, work experience and the overall strength of the application.
UCLA MFE Placements and Salary
The latest figures highlighted by UCLA Anderson show strong employment outcomes for graduates entering the workforce in 2025.
| Career Metric | Reported Result |
|---|---|
| Employment Rate | 91% |
| Average Starting Base + Signing | $133,980 |
| Average Total Compensation | $155,484 |
These salary figures are based on student-reported data for graduates entering the workforce in 2025.
UCLA’s detailed employment report also shows previous MFE graduates joining organizations such as BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, PIMCO, UBS, Fidelity, Capital Group, State Street, Wells Fargo, Deloitte and Moody’s Analytics.
Career Opportunities After UCLA MFE
The program is designed for careers where strong quantitative, programming and financial skills are important.
- Quantitative Research
- Quantitative Trading
- Sales and Trading
- Portfolio Management
- Risk Management
- Financial Data Science
- Financial Modeling
- Strats and Model Development
- FinTech
- Consulting and Valuation
Students can also use the UCLA Anderson network and career resources to connect with financial institutions, technology companies and other employers.
Who Can Apply?
UCLA does not require a specific undergraduate major, but applicants need a strong quantitative background. Many successful applicants come from mathematics, engineering, computer science, physics and other quantitative disciplines.
Important Academic and Technical Skills
- Linear algebra
- Multivariate calculus
- Differential equations
- Numerical methods
- Statistics and probability
- Econometrics
- Programming and computational skills
UCLA specifically looks for programming experience with technologies such as C++, R and Python, as well as familiarity with mathematical tools such as MATLAB.
Quantitative work or research experience is recommended but not mandatory. UCLA also states that exceptional undergraduate applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
UCLA MFE Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution
- Strong quantitative preparation
- GRE or GMAT
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Academic transcripts
- Two required application essays
- English proficiency test for applicable international applicants
- $200 application fee
There is no minimum GRE or GMAT score specified by UCLA. However, the admissions committee evaluates test scores alongside the applicant’s overall academic preparation and potential.
UCLA MFE Essay Questions
The application includes two required essays and one optional essay.
- Essay 1: Describe a student or professional project that demonstrates your analytical and creative problem-solving abilities and explain why it interested you. Maximum 750 words.
- Essay 2: Explain why a career in quantitative finance appeals to you and why financial engineering is the right career path for you. Maximum 750 words.
- Optional Essay: Provide any additional information that could help the admissions committee evaluate your potential. Maximum 375 words.
UCLA MFE Deadlines 2027–28
The application for the UCLA Anderson MFE program beginning in 2027 opens on September 29, 2026.
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | November 30, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 31, 2027 |
| Round 3 | April 1, 2027 |
Students should prepare their test scores, recommendations, transcripts, resume and essays well before the deadline they plan to target.
UCLA MFE for International Students
The UCLA MFE is a STEM-designated program. According to UCLA Anderson, this can allow eligible international graduates to extend Optional Practical Training (OPT) by 24 months, for a total of up to 36 months of OPT after graduation, subject to applicable immigration rules.
International applicants whose native language is not English generally need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores unless they qualify for an exemption based on their prior education.
Who Should Consider UCLA MFE?
UCLA MFE can be a strong academic fit for students who enjoy mathematics, statistics, programming and financial markets and want a career in quantitative finance.
It is particularly relevant for students targeting quantitative research, trading, financial data science, risk management, portfolio management or financial modeling.
Students who are uncomfortable with advanced mathematics, probability, statistics and programming should carefully review the quantitative prerequisites before applying.
FAQs
How long is the UCLA MFE?
The UCLA Master of Financial Engineering is a 16-month full-time program.
Is UCLA MFE STEM-designated?
Yes. UCLA Anderson classifies the MFE as a STEM-designated degree program.
How much does UCLA MFE cost?
The 2026–27 MFE program fee is $100,719, excluding living expenses and several additional costs.
Does UCLA MFE require GRE or GMAT?
Yes. Applicants are required to submit either the GRE or GMAT, except applicants with a PhD.
Is work experience required?
No. Quantitative work or research experience is recommended but not required. UCLA states that exceptional undergraduate applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
What programming skills are useful for UCLA MFE?
UCLA specifically mentions C++, R and Python, along with experience using mathematical and computational tools such as MATLAB.
What careers can I pursue after UCLA MFE?
Graduates can pursue roles in quantitative research, quantitative trading, sales and trading, portfolio management, risk management, financial data science, financial modeling, FinTech and related areas.
Final Takeaway
The UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering is a highly quantitative graduate program combining finance, mathematics, statistics, programming, machine learning and practical financial projects. Its STEM designation, business-school environment, industry exposure and reported employment outcomes make it particularly relevant for students targeting quantitative finance careers.
However, the program is academically demanding. Applicants should be comfortable with advanced mathematics, statistics and programming and should be prepared for an intensive curriculum. For students with a strong quantitative background and a clear interest in financial engineering, UCLA MFE provides a focused pathway into modern quantitative finance.
