What Degree Do You Need to Be a Financial Analyst?
What degree do you need to be a financial analyst? Most successful analysts start with at least a bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, or a related field, which provides the foundational skills necessary for this demanding career. Advanced positions often require a master’s degree—highlighting the importance of a solid educational background in climbing the finance career ladder.
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Which finance degrees best position you for a financial analyst role? What degree do you need to be a financial analyst? To enter finance, secure a degree that showcases your qualifications to prospective employers. Since 2014, 365 Financial Analyst has assisted thousands in securing finance roles and conducted numerous studies to identify the optimal degrees for aspiring financial analysts. Let’s explore which degrees and universities to consider—whether you’re choosing a program or evaluating your current degree’s suitability for becoming a financial analyst.
Research Methodology
We conducted our study by examining LinkedIn profiles to identify critical qualifications of current financial analysts—focusing on their educational background and prior work experience. Additionally, we analyzed data from job search sites to pinpoint the key skills and qualifications employers prioritize.
Key Findings
Our analysis revealed that most financial analysts possess at least a bachelor’s degree—with about two-thirds holding a bachelor’s and nearly 30% a master’s, addressing the question, “What degree do you need to be a financial analyst?” Therefore, obtaining a university degree is advisable. While 68% had a bachelor’s degree, a master’s is optional—suggesting that practical skills are often more valued than extensive academic qualifications.
Degree Preferences
A bachelor’s degree is typically necessary for a career as a financial analyst. Our research indicates that around 70% of professionals in this field studied business or finance-related disciplines. Here’s the breakdown of degrees by popularity:
- Finance: 25%
- Business Administration/Management: 17%
- Accounting: 14%
- Economics: 10%
- Math/Statistics: 8%
- Engineering: 8%
- Computer Science: 6%
- Marketing: 4%
- Data Analytics/Data Science: 3%
- Other: 5%
Finance and Business Administration lead as the most favored degrees. Many students in these fields start their careers as financial analysts to gain the necessary experience.
Diverse Educational Backgrounds
Degrees in accounting, economics, math, statistics, engineering, computer science, and data analytics also equip candidates with the highly sought-after analytical and quantitative skills by employers. This variety underscores the opportunities available to those with diverse academic backgrounds.
Practical Skills Emphasis
So, what degree do you need to be a financial analyst? The key to success lies in demonstrating practical skills to prospective employers. Our 365 Financial Analyst platform offers courses that refine these skills based on our experience at top global firms. We provide practical projects, allowing students to directly apply what they’ve learned.
If you’re considering a career as a financial analyst or preparing for a financial analyst certification and seeking the practical skills employers value, consider 365 Financial Analyst. This platform—created by experienced analysts from top global firms—offers concise courses that condense years of on-the-job experience, saving you months of stress. Unlike other providers, we equip our students with numerous practical projects—allowing them to apply their newfound knowledge immediately and enhance their financial analyst degree.
