University Launches Graduate Program in Financial Technology Analytics

As financial systems become more complex and technology-driven, organizers behind the new master's degree aim to equip students with skills to shape what comes next

The future of financeincreasingly is being shaped by data, algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI). And the people shaping financial marketsincreasingly aren't just financiers, but also data scientists, engineers and statisticians.

At Rutgers University-New Brunswick, a new graduate program is taking shape to prepare students to lead in that transformation.

The master of science in financial technology analytics, offered through the School of Arts and Sciences and housed in the Department of Statistics, is accepting applications for fall 2026.

University leaders said the program responds to growing industry demand for professionals who can work at the intersection of finance and advanced technologies, from machine learning and AI-driven modeling to blockchain, algorithmic trading and quantitative risk analysis.

Students will build on a foundation in statistical science while applying those skills to real-world financial systems, program leaders said.

"Rutgers is uniquely positioned to lead in fintech education, bridging quantitative analytics, advanced computing and financial markets," said Rong Chen, chair of the Department of Statistics at Rutgers-New Brunswick. "Our graduates will go on to careers shaping the future of finance in New Jersey, the greater New York metropolitan area and globally."

Through capstone projects built on industry datasets and opportunities for professional engagement, students will gain hands-on experience applying technical skills to complex financial systems, Chen said. He added that Rutgers' proximity to New York and the university's employer network provide students with direct access to leading financial institutions and emerging fintech companies.

Other aims of the program include helping students learn to work with complex financial data and apply those insights across a range of industries, including banking, asset management, financial technology startups and risk management.

"The fintech space moves fast, and the list of technologies keeps growing: from blockchain, cryptocurrency, prediction markets, decentralized finance (DeFi) and algorithmic trading," said Harry Crane, co-program director of the program and a member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Innovation Advisory Committee, a federal consultative body. "Rigorous foundations are critical to success in such a fast-moving industry. This program equips students with the analytical and technical skills to succeed in that environment."

The curriculum, with a core focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world application through industry engagement and networking, with the goal of preparing graduates to navigate and help shape a financial landscape that is increasingly defined by data, technology and interdisciplinary expertise.

More information is available on the program's webpage.