Karthik Krishnan is a Finance professor at Northeastern University rated 3.06/5 by 153 students, with 3.59/5 difficulty and 12.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Karthik Krishnan professor reviews and ratings: 3.06/5 from 153 student reviews at Northeastern (12.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Exams are fine, the problem are the projects. Doesn't provide a grading criteria, gives low/avg grades, and gives little and extremely vague feedback. Feels like his grading is totally arbitrary and that he honestly doesn't care much. Learned very little and definitely do not recommend, even for CS/Business majors such as myself.FINA4390 2025-12-07 19:42:16 +0000 UTC
He truly cares about his students LEARNING and not just memorizing. He gave 2 tests the whole semester and a test for the final; homework is assigned every week and it really helps with learning. He gives ample amount of practice problems and the test is like the study guide. Lastly go to class it counts as participation and he randomly tracks it.FINA2201 2024-12-18 21:45:49 +0000 UTC
This class was unfortunate. You can tell he's a smart guy but he's just not a good teacher. Class had no structure, half of the classes were guest speakers since he had no material to teach us. Entire class was based around useless case studies. Also, this didn't bother me but EVERY SINGLE assignment is w/ a group, so if you hate that don't take itFINA2720 2016-12-19 23:43:20 +0000 UTC
Needs to go through the material slower, especially the math. The speed of the class makes this course more difficult then it may need to be. Maybe less guest speakers and take more time on the material that were tested on. Also, the course name should ONLY state Venture Capitalism, because that's all you really discuss the whole semester.FINA4610 2015-12-21 22:31:13 +0000 UTC
Very hard exams!!FIN3301 2013-02-27 21:39:02 +0000 UTC
Just took the midterm for this class, and chose this professor due to the good reviews he has received. The most impossible class ever. Pulled 2 straight all nighters to do review questions for a 50 on this midterm. He expects your finance background to much broader than what it actually is. Only recommended for very qualified students.FINA3301 2013-02-27 15:25:42 +0000 UTC
if u want to get a good grade, take corp finance with him! gives u review sheet, practice problems with answers. Tests are really easy and are the exact questions as in the review sheet. Lots of cases though and picks 3 out of 4 cases. lectures are boring though and u can easily get a 100 on the tests if u dont come to class. easy grader.CORP111 2011-12-06 19:55:38 +0000 UTC
Classes are all lecture/practice problems, which can get very boring after awhile. However, Krishnan is very clear and good at explaining finance. Tests are not too hard, if you pay attention in class you'll do fine. Overall a good professor, I would definitely take him again.FINU201 2009-04-30 14:12:04 +0000 UTC
He makes his midterm review with ChatGPT, and doesn't give any rubrics for any of the group projects or grading of them. Basically he says "just figure it out on your own" so you make a bunch of mistakes sacrificing your grade until you find what he's looking for. (a lot of group projects btw.) Feedback is also extremely ambiguous. Don't take him.FINA4390 2024-03-20 00:02:34 +0000 UTC
Great teacher. Makes a hardish class simple. you can definitely tell he knows his stuff. i would definitely recommend taking him for financial management. 2 graded assignments, 3 exams and a final. drop the lowest exam grade. and can use a formula sheet on exams.FINA2201 2009-12-01 17:48:40 +0000 UTC
corp finance is the easiest class thanks to krishnan. tests are not only short but easy. all u have to do is do the problem sets and ur set to get 90's on his tests. He also gives ton of practice problems and a review tests to get u ready. Also make u do cases but he drops the lowest out of 4. IF you want a good grade, take his class!!!!FINA3301 2011-11-19 20:33:38 +0000 UTC
Very nice guy, very clear and helpful powerpoints, allows formula sheets and has very helpful test reviews. best two out of three midterms.FINU201 2009-03-26 22:54:35 +0000 UTC
Consider carefully before taking this class if you are a Business Major with a Fintech concentration. The workload is heavy, with expectations to fully learn DS2000 and DS2500 in the first 2 weeks, followed by extensive machine learning material. While exciting, be prepared to get a 70 on each project.FINA4390 2023-05-02 03:15:50 +0000 UTC
While he does know his stuff and while he is capable of explaining things very well, he is not as easy as people think. He assumes that you already know EVERYTHING about finance and wants to make this class seem nothing more than a refresher. Puts a lot of emphasis on group project (5). Online homework are a pain in the neck, exams are ok as most.FINA3301 2011-04-26 09:28:35 +0000 UTC
I have gotten an A in every DS course in Khoury including ML1+2, but I received a 70 on every project in this class with 1-2 comments on each. There is almost no justification for grades and he doesn't look at your code. You are graded on a slideshow presentation of your model that "shouldn't be technical" but also needs to be or you'll lose pointsFINA4390 2023-04-20 18:23:05 +0000 UTC
Karthik Krishnan has an average rating of 3.06/5 from 153 student reviews. 12.0% of students said they would take them again.
Karthik Krishnan's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.59/5 based on student reviews.
Karthik Krishnan has taught FINA4390, FINA2201, FINA6284, FINA6260, FINA2720, FINA4610 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.