The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is introducing its first new graduate degree in half a century with the Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs Master of Science in Quantitative Finance. Supported by a $60 million gift from alumnus Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs—bringing his total backing for Wharton’s quantitative finance initiatives to more than $80 million—the accelerated, one-year program will begin admitting students in fall 2026. It is designed for candidates holding quantitative undergraduate degrees who aspire to careers in data-driven asset management.
The curriculum emphasizes mathematical modeling, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and financial theory through a data-intensive core. Required courses cover statistical methods for finance and the foundations of asset pricing. At the same time, more than thirty electives spanning computer science, engineering, and related disciplines allow students to tailor their studies. In the final semester, each student undertakes a hands-on research project in collaboration with leading asset managers, translating theoretical insights into solutions for real-world quantitative investing challenges.
Beyond coursework, the program offers an extensive schedule of seminars, workshops, and networking events that connect students with practitioners, regulators, and alumni actively engaged in quantitative finance. A dedicated advisory board of industry experts will guide curriculum development and offer mentorship, while Wharton’s global alumni network provides access to internships, job placements, and joint research opportunities. Interactions with portfolio managers, data scientists, and risk specialists will expose students to cutting-edge algorithmic trading strategies and risk management tools.
Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs has supported Wharton’s quantitative finance efforts for over a decade, having established the Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research, funded dissertation fellowships and prizes for financial innovation, and underwritten an MBA major in quantitative finance. As co-founder and co-chief investment officer of Jacobs Levy Equity Management, he combines scholarly rigor with practical portfolio management, holding a PhD in finance and an MA in applied economics from Wharton.
KEY QUOTES:
“Wharton is the world’s top business school because it consistently leads at the forefront of fields like quantitative finance. Dr. Jacobs has long been a champion for Wharton’s preeminence in this essential area, and we are deeply grateful for his historic gift. This new, innovative, hands-on graduate program will further advance our University’s strategic focus on data and AI while preparing our quantitative finance students and scholars to lead in a rapidly changing world.”
Penn President J. Larry Jameson
“Bruce’s longtime philanthropic support has been instrumental in cementing Wharton’s position as the global leader in quantitative finance research and education. We are immensely grateful for his recent gift, which will arm the next generation of finance professionals with the specialized skills needed to meet the demands of a tremendously complex and increasingly data-driven industry. The Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs Master of Science in Quantitative Finance program marks an exciting new chapter of excellence in finance at Wharton. Building on our legacy as a powerhouse in the financial arena and a pioneer of the data-informed approach to learning, Wharton offers an unparalleled environment for students to explore this dynamic industry and emerge prepared to shape the future of finance.”
Wharton School Dean Erika James
“When I was at the Wharton School, quantitative finance was in its infancy. Now, it is an essential discipline in this data-driven world. The new Master of Science in Quantitative Finance program will offer new focused courses, internships, and real-world experience alongside established opportunities in quantitative finance at the School for dissertation fellowships, a scholars program and the Jacobs Levy Center for Quantitative Financial Research. By bridging theory and practice, the MSQF program will have a lasting impact on the industry and many future generations of students, as well as ensure the Wharton School will be at the forefront of this dynamic field.”
Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs
“Financial markets are evolving at breakneck speed, fueled by artificial intelligence, algorithmic trading and data complexity. Students in the program will benefit from the combination of Wharton’s quantitative finance expertise and the access to the multiple disciplines and vibrant communities present at Penn. Bruce’s ongoing support to the advancement of quantitative finance is nothing short of game-changing for the Wharton community.”
David Musto, the Ronald O. Perelman Professor in Finance and faculty director of the Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs Master of Science in Quantitative Finance program
