by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Financial Analytics explores A Program That Focuses On Financial Big Data Modeling From Algorithms To Cloud-Based Data-Driven Financial Technologies. Includes Instruction In Financial Analytics, Financial Data Processing, Knowledge Management, Data Visualization, Effective Decision Communication, Machine Learning For Finance, Statistical Inference And Dynamic Modeling On Financial Data, And Project Management. Read on to learn the essential details every financial analytics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering financial analytics programs.
Across the country, financial analytics is a widely-pursued major, with 1,644 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Financial Analytics Schools ranking analyzes these 32 schools to determine the best overall colleges for financial analytics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of financial analytics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Financial Analytics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations financial analytics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a financial analytics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a financial analytics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several financial analytics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 619 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,015 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to financial analytics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 58.1% |
| Master’s degree | 22.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Some college courses | 2.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| First professional degree | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in financial analytics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in financial analytics opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to financial analytics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to financial analytics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Management Analysts | 484,759 | 12.6% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Treasurers and Controllers | 229,662 | 0.6% |
| Investment Fund Managers | 185,925 | 14.1% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Financial Managers | 145,690 | 9.0% |
Salaries for financial analytics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers financial analytics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
| Clinical Data Managers | $99,475 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Financial Managers | $75,665 |
With 32 different financial analytics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased financial analytics school rankings to help you.
Those considering financial analytics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Analytics | 9,273 |
| Data Analytics, General | 1,675 |
| Data Analytics, Other | 232 |
| Data Visualization | 67 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
