Benefits Analyst Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a benefits analyst. Benefits analysts usually study business, human resources management, or psychology. 70% of benefits analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 6,477 real benefits analyst resumes to see exactly what benefits analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for benefits analysts are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online benefits analyst courses to help get the education required to be a benefits analyst.

There are certain benefits analyst certifications that you should consider. These benefits analyst certifications include Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) and Group Benefits Associate (GBA).

What education do you need to become a benefits analyst?

What degree do you need to be a benefits analyst?

The most common degree for benefits analysts is bachelor's degree, with 70% of benefits analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Associate, 12%

Master's, 10%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a benefits analyst?

You should major in business to become a benefits analyst. 33% of benefits analysts major in business. Other common majors for a benefits analyst include human resources management and psychology.

Business, 33%

Human Resources Management, 9%

Psychology, 7%

Accounting, 7%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for benefits analysts

Benefits analysts often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of North Texas, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Here are the most common colleges for benefits analysts in the US based on their resumes.

Benefits Analyst Common College	Percentages
University of Phoenix	23.63%
University of North Texas	5.10%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey	5.10%
Central Connecticut State University	4.91%
University of Houston	4.73%

Show more common benefits analyst colleges

Best majors for benefits analysts

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	33.3%
2	Human Resources Management	8.9%
3	Psychology	6.9%
4	Accounting	6.5%
5	Finance	6.1%

Show more common benefits analyst majors

Best colleges for benefits analysts

The best colleges for benefits analysts are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Boston University.

A benefits analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for benefits analysts. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become benefits analysts.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-State Tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$45,542

Enrollment

14,159

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

10. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

20 best online courses for benefits analysts

Advertising Disclosure

1. Open To buy- Retail Merchandising Planning

4.4

(1,470)

Merchandise Financial Planning...

2. Strong & Effective Marketing Plan (Plan Template & Example)

4.2

(675)

Innovative approach for a winning offline and digital marketing plan (important part of your business plan)...

3. Financial Planning Coaching Certification Holistic Coaching

4.4

(1,262)

Financial Planning Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Holistic Financial Planning Coaching...

4. Strategic Planning Skills

4.4

(1,227)

Strategic Planning Skills...

5. Plan the Project as a Business Analyst - IIBA Endorsed

4.6

(2,860)

Increase your value as a Business Analyst by learning how to plan projects successfully without a Project Manager...

6. Strategic Planning Basics for Human Resources

4.4

(1,449)

Learn to collaborate with your organizational leaders on the development and implementation of a strategic plan...

7. Financial Planning & Analysis: Building a Company's Budget

4.6

(8,605)

Learn the Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Position Your Career for Success!...

8. Coaching Business Plan How to Start a Life Coaching Business

4.4

(306)

Coaching Business Plan for Life Coaches with Coaching Vision Coaching Niche Coaching Clients Marketing Plan for Coaching...

9. How To Write A Simple And Successful Business Plan

(283)

Learn how to effectively write a simple and successful business plan that attracts attention. (template included)...

10. The Ultimate Guide to Professional Event Planning Management

4.4

(402)

Learn techniques to become an amazing event planner. You'll get all the skills you need for event management & planning...

11. The Complete Business Plan Course (Includes 50 Templates)

4.7

(10,957)

Everything You Need to Make a Great Business Plan by an Award Winning Business School Prof, VC & Successful Entrepreneur...

12. Complete Primavera P6 training; Project Planning

4.3

(304)

Master project planning and scheduling with Primavera P6 (Basic & Advance)...

13. Master Course in Human Resources 2.0

4.3

(312)

Strategic human resource management, strategic planning, recruiting, training, HR management,Labour welfare...

14. How to Write a Winning Marketing Plan

4.5

(782)

A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs With a Free Marketing Plan Template & Examples...

15. Business Plan: Outlines , Templates & Case Study

4.5

(833)

Learn Business Planning & Lean Thinking to develop a Complete Business Plan...

16. The Step-By-Step Guide To Your 401k Plan

4.6

(1,071)

How Much To Save, Which Investments To Choose, and a Simple Plan To Reach Retirement Using Your 401(k) Plan...

17. Ultimate Payroll Management with Income Tax & Year-End 23-24

4.2

(351)

Basic to Advanced: Certification in Payroll, Compensation Benefits, Income Tax,Year Ending for Payroll & Human Resources...

18. Advanced Planning & Scheduling with Primavera P6

4.6

(495)

Learn advanced planning & scheduling concepts, and apply them using Primavera P6 and MS Excel...

19. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

4.7

(2,141)

Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

20. How To Write A Business Plan And A Winning Business Model

4.7

(2,531)

Business plan template & business plan examples: Create a top business model & business plan for your business ideas...

Top 10 most affordable universities for benefits analysts

The most affordable schools for benefits analysts are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - dominguez hills, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for benefits analysts are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for benefits analysts.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,262

Cost of Attendance

14,046

2. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,942

Cost of Attendance

14,469

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Cost of Attendance

18,306

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,094

Cost of Attendance

14,302

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,556

Cost of Attendance

19,434

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,587

Cost of Attendance

13,043

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,656

Cost of Attendance

21,623

9. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

10. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,491

Cost of Attendance

19,075

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for benefits analysts

The hardest universities for benefits analysts to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Boston University.

Some great schools for benefits analysts are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for benefits analysts based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,508

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,420

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

13%

SAT Average

1,445

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

20%

SAT Average

1,419

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

29%

SAT Average

1,407

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions Rate

10%

SAT Average

1,514

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,513

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,520

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

17%

SAT Average

1,507

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for benefits analysts

The easiest schools for benefits analysts to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a benefits analyst without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for benefits analysts.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions Rate

68%

SAT Average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,006

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

70%

SAT Average

849

4. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

83%

SAT Average

992

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

994

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

99%

SAT Average

1,008

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions Rate

78%

SAT Average

1,024

8. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

88%

SAT Average

1,044

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions Rate

84%

SAT Average

1,069

10. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

72%

SAT Average

1,017

Average benefits analyst salary by education level

Benefits analysts with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $54,880 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, benefits analysts earn a median annual income of $54,402 compared to $50,581 for benefits analysts with an Associate degree.

Benefits Analyst education level	Benefits Analyst salary
Master's Degree	$54,880
High School Diploma or Less	$49,724
Bachelor's Degree	$54,402
Some College/ Associate Degree	$50,581

Benefits Analyst Education FAQs

What is the best college for Benefits Analysts?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

Search for benefits analyst jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs