Is Drexel or University of San Diego better for finance majors?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Drexel’s built-in co-op structure versus USD’s more traditional college experience with access to Southern California internships. For finance specifically, Drexel has the clearer advantage in hands-on pre-professional preparation because co-op is central to the university and students often graduate with substantial work experience already on their resume. USD can still lead to strong outcomes, but it usually takes more self-directed networking and internship planning rather than plugging into a system designed around extended work placements.

Academically, both can work for finance, but they feel different. Drexel’s business programs are closely tied to employer-facing, career-oriented training, and that matters in finance because recruiting often rewards students who can show practical experience early. USD’s business school offers a smaller private-school environment and strong faculty access, which some students prefer, but it is not as nationally identified with the co-op-to-career pipeline that makes Drexel stand out.

On internships, Drexel is the stronger option. Being in Philadelphia helps, and the co-op model gives finance students more time in real roles than a standard summer internship schedule. That can be especially useful if you are aiming for corporate finance, financial analysis, banking support roles, fintech, or asset management-adjacent work and want multiple chances to test paths before graduating.

For job preparation after college, Drexel is usually the safer bet because employers can see a track record of relevant experience, not just coursework and one summer internship. USD benefits from its location and alumni connections in San Diego and broader California, and it may be appealing if you want a smaller-campus feel and are comfortable taking more initiative in building experience.

Between the two, I would lean Drexel for finance unless USD is offering a much better financial package or you are specifically set on building your career in Southern California within a smaller private-school environment.