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Career analyst education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a career analyst. Career analysts usually study business, economics, or elementary education. 77% of career analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 20 real career analyst resumes to see exactly what career analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for career analysts are the University of Phoenix - Jersey City Campus and the University of Phoenix - Jersey City Campus.

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

What education do you need to become a career analyst?

What degree do you need to be a career analyst?

The most common degree for career analysts is bachelor's degree, with 77% of career analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 15% and associate degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 77%
  • Associate, 15%
  • Doctorate, 8%

What should I major in to become a career analyst?

You should major in business to become a career analyst. 13% of career analysts major in business. Other common majors for a career analyst include economics and elementary education.

Most common colleges for career analysts

Career analysts often get their degrees at University of Phoenix - Jersey City Campus, Villanova University, and University of Pennsylvania. Here are the most common colleges for career analysts in the US based on their resumes.
Career analyst common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix - Jersey City Campus18.18%
Villanova University9.09%
University of Pennsylvania9.09%
University of Akron9.09%
Trident University International9.09%

Best majors for career analysts

RankMajorPercentages
1Business12.5%
2Economics12.5%
3Elementary Education12.5%
4History6.3%
5Sociology6.3%

Best colleges for career analysts

The best colleges for career analysts are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A career 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 career 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 career analysts.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. University of California, Irvine

Irvine, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,700

Enrollment

29,722

4. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

20 best online courses for career analysts

Advertising disclosure

1. Career planning: Your career, your life

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Are you satisfied with your career? Where do you see yourself in the future? No matter where you are on your professional journey, careful planning will help you reach your goals. This course will help you adapt to rapidly evolving job markets by enhancing your self-knowledge and confidence to explore wider career opportunities. You will create a career development plan, encompassing your career goals, skills and knowledge development for your current and future jobs, and learn how to make the...

2. Careers in Sustainability

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This course is an introduction to careers in sustainability, focusing primarily on the role of a sustainability analyst at public and private organizations. Through a mix of video, print, peer review, and interactive content, learners will be able to explain sustainability and the specifics of a sustainability analyst’s job within an organization. The course is structured around two elements: topical knowledge and practical application. Throughout the course, learners can practice what they...

3. Data Science Career Guide - Interview Preparation

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Prepare for your Data Science Interview with this full guide on a career in Data Science including practice questions!...

4. Career Coaching Certification in Career Development Coaching

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Career Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Ready-To-Work Professionals in Holistic Career Development Career Coaching...

5. IBM Data Analyst

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Prepare for a career in the high-growth field of data analytics. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills like Python, Excel, and SQL to get job-ready in as little as 4 months. No prior experience or degree needed.\n\nData analysis is the process of collecting, storing, modeling, and analyzing data that can inform executive decision-making, and the demand for skilled data analysts has never been greater.\n\nThis program will teach you the foundational data skills employers are seeking for...

6. Career Coaching: Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

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7. SOC Analyst (Cybersecurity) Interview Questions and Answers

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12. Land Your First Business Analyst Position

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Learn how to craft a flawless resume, find the perfect role, impress your interviewers, and land that BA position!...

13. Job Search Tips & Career Development PLUS ChatGPT Tips

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14. How to Start A Career in Digital & Web Analytics

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Learn what it takes to start a career in Web Analytics, Digital Marketing Analytics & Marketing Analytics - Web Analysis...

15. Learn to be a Financial Analyst

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Master the skills you need to get a job as a financial analyst: forecasting, budgets, variance analysis and more...

16. Help Desk Analyst

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17. Financial Analysis, from Scratch to Professional!

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Acquire the theory and practice necessary to ace a job interview, to advance your career and to increase your salary...

18. Cybersecurity: Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst NOW!

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19. Job Interviewing: Complete Job Interview Success Course 6HR

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Job Interviewing is critical. Learn all key Job Interview skills + demo on answering specific job interview questions...

20. Practical SQL Bootcamp for Data Analysts and Data Scientists

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Master One of the Most In-Demand Skills for Data Analysts in 2020!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for career analysts

The most affordable schools for career analysts are California State University - Bakersfield, university of florida, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for career 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 career analysts.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for career analysts

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

Some great schools for career 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 career 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

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

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

The easiest schools for career analysts to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, felician university, and wayland baptist university.

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

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

3. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

4. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

5. College of Mount Saint Vincent

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,021

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. American International College

Springfield, MA • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

1,010

8. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

9. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

10. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

Average career analyst salary by education level

Career analysts with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $74,090 annually. With a Master's degree, career analysts earn a median annual income of $71,424 compared to $65,439 for career analysts with an Bachelor's degree.
Career analyst education levelCareer analyst salary
Master's Degree$71,424
Bachelor's Degree$65,439
Doctorate Degree$74,090

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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