Budget and policy analyst education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a budget and policy analyst. Budget and policy analysts usually study business, political science, or public administration. 55% of budget and policy analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 41% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 140 real budget and policy analyst resumes to see exactly what budget and policy analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for budget and policy analysts are the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

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

What education do you need to become a budget and policy analyst?

What degree do you need to be a budget and policy analyst?

The most common degree for budget and policy analysts is bachelor's degree, with 55% of budget and policy analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 41% and master's degree degree at 2%.

Bachelor's, 55%

Master's, 41%

Associate, 2%

Doctorate, 2%

What should I major in to become a budget and policy analyst?

You should major in business to become a budget and policy analyst. 18% of budget and policy analysts major in business. Other common majors for a budget and policy analyst include political science and public administration.

Business, 18%

Political Science, 14%

Public Administration, 13%

Finance, 11%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for budget and policy analysts

Budget and policy analysts often get their degrees at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Florida State University, and University of Wisconsin Colleges. Here are the most common colleges for budget and policy analysts in the US based on their resumes.

Budget and policy analyst common college	Percentages
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point	10.64%
Florida State University	10.64%
University of Wisconsin Colleges	10.64%
American University	6.38%
Georgia State University	6.38%

Show more common budget and policy analyst colleges

Best majors for budget and policy analysts

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	18.3%
2	Political Science	13.8%
3	Public Administration	12.8%
4	Finance	11.0%
5	Accounting	8.3%

Show more common budget and policy analyst majors

Best colleges for budget and policy analysts

The best colleges for budget and policy analysts are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

A budget and policy 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 budget and policy 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 budget and policy analysts.

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. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

8. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for budget and policy analysts

Advertising disclosure

1. Budgeting essentials and development

The Budgeting Essentials and Development course focus on an integrative and practical view of concepts, methods, and techniques to develop a budget. After finishing this course, learners will be able to: - Develop the budget with a broad view of the corporate functions; - Integrate the strategic guidelines into the discussions of budgeting process; - Structure the budget planning and development in a logical sequence - Coordinate the project of budget planning with the different areas of the...

2. Create a Budget with Google Sheets

By the end of this project, you will be able to build a basic budget using Google Sheets. You will use a template to add, delete, edit, and format a budget to meet the needs of your personal or professional goals. You will be able to read the summary tab, share the budget, and create permissions for others to access, format the charts, and use conditional formatting. You will also be able to take the Google Sheets Budget and put it into presentable files. Note: This course works best for...

3. Building an Organizational Budget

4.4

(440)

Design program budgets from a simplified approach along with conceptual understandings...

4. Time Value of Money & Capital Budgeting - Present Value

4.3

(280)

Mastering Financial Decision-Making: Time Value of Money & Capital Budgeting for Long-Term Success...

5. Build a Budget and Analyze Variance using Google Sheets

By the end of this project, you will be able to build a simple budget using Google Sheets. You will be able to easily capture variances and identify trends. You will be able to format your budget, identify and communicate drivers of variances and make the budget presentable. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions...

6. FinTech Law and Policy

Being a successful FinTech firm requires more than just great technology; it also requires an understanding of the laws and regulations applicable to your business. This course will provide you with that understanding. You will learn about the critical legal, regulatory, and policy issues associated with cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings, online lending, new payments and wealth management technologies, and financial account aggregators. In addition, you will learn how regulatory agencies...

7. IT Project Budget & Cost Management

4.4

(290)

Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...

8. Budgeting for Business

4.5

(1,712)

Learn how to create and use budgets effectively in company large or small...

9. Learn How To Budget - Personal budgeting made easy

4.5

(2,655)

Everything you need to KNOW and everything you need to DO to set and stick to a monthly budget...

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

4.6

(8,605)

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

11. Flexible Budgets, Standard Costs, & Variance Analysis

4.4

(289)

Maximizing Financial Insight: Mastering Variance Analysis and Budgeting for Strategic Decision-Making...

12. Filmmaking Secrets! Write a ZERO Budget MovieMaster Course

4.5

(255)

Screenwriting for micro-budget feature films that you can produce...

13. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.

4.1

(1,381)

Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...

14. Master Public Policy Analysis In Six Easy Steps: The Basics

4.3

(545)

An Introduction to Policy Analysis Concepts and Practice For The Real World!...

15. Budgets, Cashflow Forecasting and Management Accounts

4.5

(817)

Financial Management and Making A Profit For Charities, Not-For-Profits & Small Businesses...

16. Master Public Policy Analysis: Advanced

(267)

Learn Advanced Policy Analysis Concepts and Practice For The Real World!...

17. 2017 Great Decisions: Foreign Policy Association

4.5

(417)

Learn about leading foreign policy challenges confronting U.S. policy makers and the American public...

18. Build Your Spiritual Healing Business on a Budget

4.7

(812)

Start and Grow your Psychic, Energy healing or Spiritual Healing Business in a budget-friendly way- AND Sell your offers...

19. Financial Budgeting and Forecasting In Excel Complete Course

4.3

(806)

Template Included! Learn how to build a financial model using Microsoft Excel. Become a financial model expert...

20. Project Time & Budget Control using EVM tool

4.5

(251)

Project Management...

Top 10 most affordable universities for budget and policy analysts

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

If the best universities for budget and policy 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 budget and policy 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 - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for budget and policy analysts

The hardest universities for budget and policy analysts to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for budget and policy 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 budget and policy 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for budget and policy analysts

The easiest schools for budget and policy analysts to get into are Barry University, notre dame college, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a budget and policy 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 budget and policy analysts.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

7. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

8. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden

Camden, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,086

9. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

10. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

Average budget and policy analyst salary by education level

According to our data, budget and policy analysts with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $78,767 annually. Budget and policy analysts with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $70,599.

Budget and policy analyst education level	Budget and policy analyst salary
Master's Degree	$78,767
Bachelor's Degree	$70,599

Budget and policy analyst education FAQs

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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

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