WorldQuant University reports record enrollment in free financial engineering master’s program
WorldQuant University has announced its largest-ever intake for the Master of Science in Financial Engineering, with more than 2,500 new students from 115 countries joining the October 2025 cohort.
WorldQuant University, a not-for-profit institution offering free online degrees in quantitative and technical fields, has reported record enrollment in its Master of Science in Financial Engineering (MScFE) program.
John Endrud, CEO of WorldQuant University, shared the news on LinkedIn, describing the milestone as part of the university’s mission to make advanced education accessible to capable learners worldwide. “When I joined WorldQuant University two years ago, I was struck by the boldness of our mission: making advanced quantitative and tech education accessible—free of cost—to capable learners everywhere,” he wrote.
The October 2025 intake welcomed more than 2,500 students from 115 countries, marking nine consecutive quarters of enrollment growth since fall 2023. Across all cohorts, more than 9,000 students are now enrolled, making it the largest program of its kind globally.
Program expansion and continued accreditation growth
Launched in 2016, the MScFE program combines finance, mathematics, data science, and technology to prepare students for roles in quantitative analysis, investment strategy, and risk management. It gained accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission in 2021 and has since doubled enrollment year-over-year.
“This growth is attributable to our focus on reducing barriers to high quality education,” says Endrud. “We are growing because we are providing aspiring professionals what they need: Accessible, rigorous, applied programs that enable them to connect to opportunity.”
The MScFE program consists of nine graduate-level courses and a capstone project. Additional offerings include non-degree programs in data science, deep learning, and computer vision. Since its founding, WorldQuant University has served more than 30,000 learners across 150 countries.
Global community of learners
Endrud said the record enrollment reinforces the university’s commitment to accessible, industry-driven education: “The MScFE is the only truly free, globally accessible master's-level finance program. It's growing because it delivers the skills learners have identified they need: rigorous, industry-driven education without traditional barriers.”
Students joining the new cohort are connecting online from across the world. On a university message board, Hussein Amine Ayache, CEO of California-based BYA Technologies, wrote: “Being part of such a diverse and rapidly growing global community is a remarkable opportunity. The fact that this is WQU’s largest cohort yet shows how the program continues to empower professionals worldwide who are passionate about quantitative finance, data science, and innovation.”
Endrud concludes: “Every learner story reminds me what's possible when we expand opportunity. I'm honored to be part of this mission and grateful to everyone who makes it possible — our founder Igor Tulchinsky, faculty and staff, partners, and the global community believing that talent is global, but opportunity is not.”
