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Bond trader education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a bond trader. Bond traders usually study finance, business, or economics. 79% of bond traders hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 198 real bond trader resumes to see exactly what bond trader education sections show.
The most common colleges for bond traders are the University of Arizona and the University of Arizona.
There are also many online bond trader courses to help get the education required to be a bond trader.
What education do you need to become a bond trader?
What degree do you need to be a bond trader?
- Bachelor's, 79%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 4%
- Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a bond trader?
Most common colleges for bond traders
| Bond trader common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Arizona | 8.70% |
| University of Richmond | 6.52% |
| New York University | 6.52% |
| Fordham University | 6.52% |
| Northeastern University | 6.52% |
Best majors for bond traders
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | 28.1% |
| 2 | Business | 24.5% |
| 3 | Economics | 7.9% |
| 4 | Political Science | 5.8% |
| 5 | Marketing | 5.0% |
Best colleges for bond traders
The best colleges for bond traders are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A bond trader with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for bond traders. 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 bond traders.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
5. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
6. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
20 best online courses for bond traders
Advertising disclosure
1. Stocks and Bonds
In this course, we will apply the central concept and applications of Time Value of Money (TVM) to explore the structure and pricing of stocks and bonds at an introductory level. In this course, you will learn about bonds, different types of bonds (Zero Coupon bonds, Government bonds). You will learn about bond pricing calculations and see their direct connection to market data on bonds. You will also learn about stocks, and their pricing and valuation. You will learn about growth and dividend...
2. Interest Rate Models
This course gives you an easy introduction to interest rates and related contracts. These include the LIBOR, bonds, forward rate agreements, swaps, interest rate futures, caps, floors, and swaptions. We will learn how to apply the basic tools duration and convexity for managing the interest rate risk of a bond portfolio. We will gain practice in estimating the term structure from market data. We will learn the basic facts from stochastic calculus that will enable you to engineer a large variety...
3. Bonds & Fixed Income Securities: Structure, Prices & Markets
Fixed Income Convertible Bonds Structured Products Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) Asset Backed (ABS) CDOs...
4. Investing In Bonds: The Complete Bond Investing Course!
All Bond Investing Types. Government & Corporate Bonds. Bond Strategies. Bond Risks, Bond Funds, Fixed Income Bonds...
5. Global Financial Markets and Instruments
Get a running start in the high-stakes world of financial investment! This first course is designed to help you become an informed investor by providing you with the essential concepts for long-term success in managing money. You’ll start by learning the role of financial markets and financial assets in a well-functioning economy. From there, you’ll learn about the wide range of financial instruments available in major asset classes, their features and valuations. You’ll explore how financial...
6. ESG-focused Financial Products
As ESG investing continues to evolve, so do the funding mechanisms many companies, organizations, and governments use to finance their stated goals. Indeed, ESG-focused financial products, or ‘green assets’, have been growing in volume – as well as by type. In the fixed income space alone, instruments available to investors include green bonds, social bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, climate awareness bonds, gender bonds, and others – not to mention a growing list of ESG-themed...
7. Fixed Income Securities: Become a Bond Analyst & Investor
An Introduction to Bond Markets: Everything You Need to Know About Bonds...
8. Bond Valuation Mastery - Learn To Value Bonds From Scratch.
Become A PRO At Valuing One Of The Most Important Fixed Income Securities Finance Fundamentals Valuation Series...
9. Derivatives - Options & Futures
While investing and trading in the options market may seem somewhat more daunting than other asset classes such as stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, currencies and commodities, you’ll ultimately find that their complexity can be boiled down to simple concepts you’ll be able to understand and use the more you’re exposed to, and have hands-on experience with the material. Our aim is for you to acquire these skills, as well as the know-how, to invest and trade in these often-complex financial...
10. Corporate Finance Essentials II
This course picks up where Corporate Finance Essentials left, addressing other corporate finance issues not addressed in the previous course, such as market efficiency, bonds, stocks, capital structure, and dividend policy. This course will help you to: ● Understanding the concept of market efficiency. ● Get an overview in issues related to bonds, such as type of bonds, their return (yield to maturity) and default risk ● Getting to know the valuation of stocks through the method of relative...
11. Fixed Income Analytics: Pricing and Risk Management
With Python Tools for Bonds and Money Market Instruments...
12. Understanding Yield Curve Dynamics and Market Applications
Financial Math Yield Curves Bonds Duration Spot Rates Forward Rates Total Return Analysis...
13. Quantitative Finance & Algorithmic Trading in Python
Stock Market, Bonds, Markowitz-Portfolio Theory, CAPM, Black-Scholes Model, Value at Risk and Monte-Carlo Simulations...
14. Introduction to Capital Markets
Equities, Fixed Income and Derivative market...
15. Capital Markets Immersion: A Financial Markets Introduction
Capital Markets Financial Markets Financial Risk Financial Math Yield Curves Derivatives Swaps Options...
16. Interest Rate Swaps: Structure, Pricing & Risk Management
Interest Rate Swaps Risk Management Hedging OTC Clearinghouses Swap Valuation Floating Interest Rates...
17. Day Trading and Swing Trading Futures with Price Action.
Reduce risk day trading futures, swing trading futures or any financial trading using price action...
18. Options Trading: Technical Analysis Trading System (2023)
Technical Analysis For Stock Options & Binary Options Trading - How to Win The Stock Trading Game Like a Pro!...
19. Comprehensive Guide to Financial Markets, Investing &Trading
A comprehensive (advanced) introduction to global financial markets, investing and trading in all financial assets...
20. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management - Core Finance
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Excel® & Google Sheets...
Top 10 most affordable universities for bond traders
The most affordable schools for bond traders are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.
If the best universities for bond traders 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 bond traders.
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. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for bond traders
The hardest universities for bond traders to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for bond traders 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 bond traders 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for bond traders
The easiest schools for bond traders to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame college, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a bond trader 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 bond traders.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
6. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
9. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
10. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
Average bond trader salary by education level
| Bond trader education level | Bond trader salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $140,532 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $109,547 |
| Doctorate Degree | $128,041 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025