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Fixed income portfolio manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fixed income portfolio manager. Fixed income portfolio managers usually study finance, business, or economics. 74% of fixed income portfolio managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 165 real fixed income portfolio manager resumes to see exactly what fixed income portfolio manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for fixed income portfolio managers are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online fixed income portfolio manager courses to help get the education required to be a fixed income portfolio manager.
What education do you need to become a fixed income portfolio manager?
What degree do you need to be a fixed income portfolio manager?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Master's, 24%
- Associate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a fixed income portfolio manager?
Most common colleges for fixed income portfolio managers
| Fixed income portfolio manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 11.11% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 6.67% |
| University of Iowa | 6.67% |
| University of Chicago | 6.67% |
| University of Northern Colorado | 4.44% |
Best majors for fixed income portfolio managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | 38.8% |
| 2 | Business | 22.3% |
| 3 | Economics | 12.9% |
| 4 | Political Science | 5.0% |
| 5 | Accounting | 3.6% |
Best colleges for fixed income portfolio managers
The best colleges for fixed income portfolio managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A fixed income portfolio manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fixed income portfolio managers. 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 fixed income portfolio managers.
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 fixed income portfolio managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Market Risk Management: Frameworks & Strategies
This course provides the foundation for understanding the frameworks used to develop market risk management strategies. You will identify the market risks associated with each type of financial instrument. You will be introduced to techniques for estimating the risk associated with each class of investments. By the end of the course, you will be able to select the most effective derivatives for managing risk of a single asset and a portfolio of assets, develop asset selection strategies for...
2. Portfolio Selection and Risk Management
When an investor is faced with a portfolio choice problem, the number of possible assets and the various combinations and proportions in which each can be held can seem overwhelming. In this course, you’ll learn the basic principles underlying optimal portfolio construction, diversification, and risk management. You’ll start by acquiring the tools to characterize an investor’s risk and return trade-off. You will next analyze how a portfolio choice problem can be structured and learn how to...
3. Bonds & Fixed Income Securities: Structure, Prices & Markets
Fixed Income Convertible Bonds Structured Products Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) Asset Backed (ABS) CDOs...
4. Fixed Income Analytics: Pricing and Risk Management
With Python Tools for Bonds and Money Market Instruments...
5. Portfolio and Risk Management
In this course, you will gain an understanding of the theory underlying optimal portfolio construction, the different ways portfolios are actually built in practice and how to measure and manage the risk of such portfolios. You will start by studying how imperfect correlation between assets leads to diversified and optimal portfolios as well as the consequences in terms of asset pricing. Then, you will learn how to shape an investor's profile and build an adequate portfolio by combining...
6. Investment and Portfolio Management
In this four-course Specialization, you’ll learn the essential skills of portfolio management and personal investing.\n\nAll investors – from the largest wealth funds to the smallest individual investors – share common issues in investing: how to meet their liabilities, how to decide where to invest, and how much risk to take on. In this Specialization, you will learn how to think about, discuss, and formulate solutions to these investment questions. You will learn the theory and the real-world...
7. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management with Python
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Python for Finance / Investing...
8. Fixed Income Securities: Become a Bond Analyst & Investor
An Introduction to Bond Markets: Everything You Need to Know About Bonds...
9. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management - Core Finance
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Excel® & Google Sheets...
10. Understanding Yield Curve Dynamics and Market Applications
Financial Math Yield Curves Bonds Duration Spot Rates Forward Rates Total Return Analysis...
11. Investing In Bonds: The Complete Bond Investing Course!
All Bond Investing Types. Government & Corporate Bonds. Bond Strategies. Bond Risks, Bond Funds, Fixed Income Bonds...
12. Level 1 CFA® Exam Prep Bootcamp (Part 2/2)
Level 1 CFA® Bootcamp: Financial Reporting, Portfolio Management, Equity Investments, Fixed Income, Derivatives...
13. 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...
14. Practical Project Portfolio Management
Selecting & Managing The Right Projects...
15. Introduction to Capital Markets
Equities, Fixed Income and Derivative market...
16. Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Essentials
Assurance and confidence through portfolio intelligence...
17. Interest Rate Swaps: Structure, Pricing & Risk Management
Interest Rate Swaps Risk Management Hedging OTC Clearinghouses Swap Valuation Floating Interest Rates...
18. Capital Markets Immersion: A Financial Markets Introduction
Capital Markets Financial Markets Financial Risk Financial Math Yield Curves Derivatives Swaps Options...
19. Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Stmt, Cash Flow
How To Quickly Read & Understand The Big 3 Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement...
20. Intro to Analyzing Rental Income Properties
Learn the fundamentals of investment analysis specifically for rental income property investments...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fixed income portfolio managers
The most affordable schools for fixed income portfolio managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.
If the best universities for fixed income portfolio managers 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 fixed income portfolio managers.
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 fixed income portfolio managers
The hardest universities for fixed income portfolio managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for fixed income portfolio managers 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 fixed income portfolio managers 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 fixed income portfolio managers
The easiest schools for fixed income portfolio managers 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 fixed income portfolio manager 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 fixed income portfolio managers.
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 fixed income portfolio manager salary by education level
| Fixed income portfolio manager education level | Fixed income portfolio manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $165,779 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $91,448 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $131,710 |
| Doctorate Degree | $180,362 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $91,428 |
Fixed income portfolio manager education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025