15 Best Finance Internships for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 23 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re in college and trying to build a career in finance, an internship is a good way to see if this is the right field for you. Finance internships run in many formats. Each setting exposes you to different kinds of work, from handling datasets and checking reports to observing how teams evaluate risks and returns. You begin to understand how financial systems operate, how data is used, and how decisions are made inside firms of different sizes.
An internship also strengthens your profile when you apply for graduate school or jobs. It shows that you have engaged with professional finance instead of merely studying theories. You also meet mentors who can guide you later or help you find future roles. To make the search easier, here are 15 finance internships that college students can explore!
15 Best Finance Internships for College Students
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Ladder’s university internship program is an eight-week online experience where you work directly with a startup. These startups operate across different sectors, including healthtech, finance, communications, nonprofit, and media. During the internship, you’re matched with a company that aligns with your interests and offers experience in financial tasks and projects. You’ll work with a manager who provides guidance and feedback as you complete a main project tailored to both your skills and the company’s goals. Over the course of the program, you’ll work on specific deliverables and finish by presenting your results to the organization.
Location: Jane Street’s New York City office or other offices worldwide
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Prorated amount of $300,000 annual salary
Application Deadline: Unspecified. Applications are currently open
Dates: 10–12 weeks; May – August
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students (typically rising seniors); no specific major required, but a background in quantitative work, programming, and finance is recommended
Jane Street’s Quantitative Trader Internship is designed for undergraduate students interested in finance and quantitative analysis. During the program, you’ll work on projects that combine economic concepts and technology under the guidance of two experienced quantitative traders. Your tasks may include analyzing market signals, building statistical models, working with datasets, developing trading simulations, or applying machine learning techniques to algorithmic trading. You will also select an elective focus area, where you receive targeted training and participate in activities specific to that part of Jane Street’s work. The internship includes classes and mock-trading sessions to help you understand financial markets and trading strategies in practice.
Location: Internships offered across JPMorgan Chase locations, including New York, Chicago, and London
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Pays a competitive hourly rate
Application Deadline: Varies based on selected role
Dates: 10–12 weeks; June – August
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (sophomores and juniors); must be graduating in the winter or spring following the internship end date. Minimum 3.2 GPA preferred
J.P. Morgan’s undergraduate business internship gives you direct experience in investment banking and related financial services. You are placed in one of the firm’s core departments, such as Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, Sales and Trading, or Operations. Your work may include market research, financial modeling, budget reporting, and monitoring client transactions. You receive formal training to support your tasks and take part in networking and mentoring opportunities with employees across the firm.
Location: D.E. Shaw New York City HQ, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Monthly base salary of $22,000 + overtime pay + $20,000 sign-on bonus + funded travel and housing or a $10,000 housing allowance + $3,300 self-study materials stipend + $4,000 technology stipend
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: June – August; 12 weeks
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are rising seniors
The D.E. Shaw Summer Quantitative Analyst Internship offers undergraduates an opportunity to work on research-focused projects that combine statistical modeling and software development for financial data analysis. You’ll be contributing to a project under the guidance of a dedicated mentor within one of the firm’s quantitative research groups, and collaborating with quantitative analysts, developers, and senior staff. The internship also includes social events that allow you to engage with colleagues and gain a broader perspective on the firm. The program is best suited for students with strong academic records, particularly those who have completed advanced coursework in math, statistics, physics, engineering, computer science, or other technical and quantitative fields.
Location: Various locations across the U.S. and internationally
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid
Application Deadline: Varies based on role
Dates: Two to three months during the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as non-MBA master’s students
BCG’s summer internship gives undergraduate business students the chance to work on real management consulting projects across different industries. You’ll join a client case team and contribute to ongoing work by analyzing financial data, conducting industry and market research, and gathering information to support strategic recommendations. Part of your role will include preparing presentations and proposals for clients based on your findings. The internship also provides mentorship, professional training, and opportunities to network, giving you exposure to the full consulting process from research to solution delivery.
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.; international options also available
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Information about the stipend is unspecified
Application Deadline: Applications open in mid-August with rolling evaluation
Dates: 9–10 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Current undergraduates, typically rising seniors, with a limited number of rising juniors selected
Goldman Sachs’ Summer Analyst Program offers undergraduates hands-on experience in investment banking and wealth management. You’ll be assigned to one of several areas, like Asset Management, Corporate Treasury, Risk, Investment Banking, or Global Investment Research, and work on projects alongside experienced professionals. Your responsibilities may include analyzing financial data, researching individual stocks or broader portfolios, developing investment strategies, and supporting client decision-making. Strong performance during the internship can lead to consideration for full-time roles after graduation.
Location: Multiple McKinsey offices in North America
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Information about the stipend is unspecified
Application Deadline: Not specified. More details here
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising or current college sophomores attending school in the U.S. or Canada
McKinsey’s Sophomore Summer Business Analyst (SSBA) Internship is designed for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in business and consulting. The program begins with a week of training before you join a small team of three to five consultants working on a client project. Your responsibilities may include collecting data, conducting market and company research, and preparing presentations. You will be paired with a mentor who can provide guidance, answer questions, and support your career planning in consulting.
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S. and abroad
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid
Application Deadline: Recruiting begins in the prior summer; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Dates: 8–10 weeks (June – August); a few four-month internships are offered in Europe
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors; graduate and law school students may also apply. Major or coursework requirements may apply.
Alvarez & Marsal offers summer internships for undergraduates interested in consulting and corporate services. During the program, you’ll be assigned to a team such as Private Equity Performance Improvement, Asset Management Strategy, Financial Services, or Global Capability, where you’ll collaborate with professionals on strategic business projects. Your responsibilities may include financial modeling, developing business cases, conducting market research, and analyzing operational performance data. You’ll also participate in networking events, training sessions, and mentorship meetings designed to build professional skills.
Location: Multiple Fidelity sites across the U.S., commonly in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid
Application Deadline: Applications open mid-September through mid-October
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in undergraduate programs
Fidelity’s Summer Associate Program allows undergraduate business students to explore areas such as wealth management, finance, market research, and regulatory compliance. As an intern, you’ll work with company teams on projects involving data analysis, industry research, financial modeling, and the preparation of presentations and visual reports. You’ll also examine trends in stocks, bonds, and other investment areas while contributing to risk and performance assessments. Throughout the internship, you’ll receive guidance from mentors, including both senior employees and recent graduates who previously completed the program. Many participants later transition into full-time roles at Fidelity based on their internship performance.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $25.49 per hour (paid internship)
Application Deadline: October 31
Dates: 10-week program beginning in June
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (graduating in December); open to students legally authorized to work in the U.S.; minimum GPA 3.0
The Morgan Stanley Operations Summer Analyst Program takes place at the firm’s Baltimore office and is designed for students interested in financial operations and process improvement. You work with different Operations teams to evaluate workflows, support client service tasks, partner with technology teams to improve processes, and present your project findings to senior management. Throughout the summer, you take part in training sessions, mentoring, networking, and educational events that help you understand Morgan Stanley’s operations and work culture.
Location: Citizens offices in Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; Cleveland, OH; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid
Application Deadline: Applications open April 28 and close in early May
Dates: 10 weeks over the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum 3.2 GPA (3.5+ preferred); typically pursuing majors in accounting, business, finance, economics, or similar fields. Certain placements may have additional requirements.
Citizens Bank’s Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions (CM&A) Internship Program gives undergraduates the chance to gain practical experience in banking and finance. The program begins with a training period that introduces you to key financial concepts and connects you with a mentor for ongoing guidance. During the internship, you’ll rotate through areas such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and debt capital markets. Your responsibilities may include conducting due diligence research, preparing materials for client presentations, developing financial models, and organizing documentation for transactions. You’ll also have the opportunity to sit in on client meetings, attend talks from industry professionals, and observe live deal processes to better understand how banking teams operate.
Location: Deloitte offices across the United States (various locations)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (salary provided); no registration fee
Application Deadline: Varies by position and semester; typically rolling and program-specific
Dates: Program timelines vary; most internships are 8–12 weeks during the summer or by semester
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; eligibility varies by position
Deloitte’s internship programs introduce college students to careers in professional services through real-world projects, mentoring, and structured training. Depending on your track, you may work on client deliverables, support internal teams in finance, technology, or marketing, or join the Discovery Internship for early exposure to the field. As an intern, you receive coaching, attend networking events, and build skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership while learning about Deloitte’s work culture. You also gain insight into audit, tax, consulting, and risk advisory services, with chances to shadow professionals and contribute to ongoing projects. Many interns explore potential full-time roles with Deloitte after graduation.
Location: Altman Solon offices in Boston, MA; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Information about the stipend is not provided
Application Deadline: September 22; earlier for colleges with recruitment arrangements
Dates: 10 weeks; June – August
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students with a strong academic record and familiarity with business concepts
Altman Solon’s undergraduate internships provide experience in finance and consulting, with a focus on technology, media, and telecommunications. During the internship, you’ll work on one or two core projects within a team, helping address client challenges through financial and business analysis. Your responsibilities may include creating financial models, conducting quantitative analyses, performing industry research, and evaluating market trends. You may also interview external experts, contribute to strategy development, and prepare presentations for clients based on your findings.
Location: Multiple Bain offices worldwide
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Information about the stipend is unspecified
Application Deadline: Varies by office; recruitment begins in the preceding summer
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Current college students who have one full summer left before graduation. The exact requirements may vary by region.
Bain’s Associate Consultant Internship begins with a week of training before you join a client case team to gain hands-on experience in management consulting. You’ll work on a specific project, analyzing the client’s business and industry to identify challenges and support strategic decision-making. Your tasks may include conducting data analysis, financial modeling, market research, and developing recommendations for operational improvements. You’ll also help prepare presentations for both the client and Bain management.
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend paid
Application Deadline: Early October (tentatively); applications open early September
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate sophomores and juniors
The New York Fed’s Summer Analyst Program is a 10-week internship designed for undergraduates interested in gaining experience in U.S. financial operations. You’ll be assigned to a specific department or function, such as markets, research, audits, infrastructure, or institutional supervision, and paired with a mentor. Your work may include monitoring balance sheets, analyzing monetary policy, and conducting quantitative research on economic indicators like growth and inflation. In addition to project work, you’ll participate in weekly presentations from senior management, career-focused discussions, and networking events to better understand the Fed’s operations and career paths in finance.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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