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Investigative analyst education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an investigative analyst. Investigative analysts usually study criminal justice, business, or finance. 67% of investigative analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,158 real investigative analyst resumes to see exactly what investigative analyst education sections show.
The most common colleges for investigative analysts are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online investigative analyst courses to help get the education required to be an investigative analyst.
There are certain investigative analyst certifications that you should consider. These investigative analyst certifications include Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
What education do you need to become an investigative analyst?
What degree do you need to be an investigative analyst?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 13%
- Master's, 12%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become an investigative analyst?
- Criminal Justice, 23%
- Business, 22%
- Finance, 6%
- Accounting, 5%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for investigative analysts
| Investigative analyst common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.38% |
| University of South Florida | 10.96% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 7.53% |
| University of Central Florida | 6.85% |
| American University | 6.85% |
Best majors for investigative analysts
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 23.0% |
| 2 | Business | 21.6% |
| 3 | Finance | 6.2% |
| 4 | Accounting | 5.2% |
| 5 | Psychology | 4.8% |
Best colleges for investigative analysts
The best colleges for investigative analysts are Northwestern University, Boston University, and George Washington University, The.
An investigative 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 investigative 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 investigative analysts.
1. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
2. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
7. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
8. SUNY College at Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,369
Enrollment
5,229
9. SUNY College at Oswego
Oswego, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,440
Enrollment
7,039
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
20 best online courses for investigative analysts
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4. AML Case Investigation Skills
A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...
5. Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19: An Analyst's Guide
Do you want to learn how to detect, identify the cause, and decrease the morbidity and mortality from outbreaks or pandemics like COVID-19? Are you considering a career in public health practice, but aren’t sure how health departments collect and use outbreak data? Are you working in public health, but interested in moving into analytical and/or technical roles or curious how health departments investigate outbreaks? If so, this course is for you. After taking this course you be able to define...
6. Anti-Money Laundering Concepts: AML, KYC and Compliance
(Highest number of Students Enrolled) Anti-Money Laundering(AML), AML policies, AML KYC & AML Compliance...
7. AML Essentials: Anti Money Laundering, KYC and Compliance
Learn the Basics of Money Laundering, AML, Risk Based Approach, AML Compliance Programs, KYC, CDD, EDD, PEP, and more!...
8. The Complete Guide To Anti Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
What You Should Know about Anti Money Laundering (AML), AML Compliance, AML Policies, and Know Your Customer (KYC)...
9. Investigative Journalism
How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...
10. Anti Money Laundering & Countering of Terrorist Financing
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11. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course
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12. ISO 37001. Anti-bribery management system
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13. Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing
AML Concepts, Customer Due Diligence Principles, Controls and Procedures...
14. The Complete and Ultimate Guide to Know Your Client (KYC)
Learn the entire in-depth process of Know Your Client (KYC) - Basic to Advanced - Updated 2023...
15. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics
The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...
16. Business Analyst: Project Management Techniques and Tools
Learn project management techniques to increase your project success rate as a Business Analyst!...
17. Plan the Project as a Business Analyst - IIBA Endorsed
Increase your value as a Business Analyst by learning how to plan projects successfully without a Project Manager...
18. SAP Activate Project Manager Masterclass (C_ACTIVATE_22/13)
Learn SAP Activate Methodology (Act100) Learn Agile Methodology (Act200) Based on Activate 22 and Activate 13...
19. The Credit Analyst Training course
Learn the complete Credit Risk Analysis skills for jobs in Banks, Asset Management & Credit Rating Agencies...
20. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for investigative analysts
The most affordable schools for investigative analysts are USF Sarasota-Manatee, suny farmingdale, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for investigative 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 investigative analysts.
1. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
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 - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
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. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for investigative analysts
The hardest universities for investigative analysts to get into are Northwestern University, Boston University, and George Washington University, The.
Some great schools for investigative 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 investigative 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
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
4. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for investigative analysts
The easiest schools for investigative analysts to get into are University of North Texas at Dallas, notre dame college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an investigative 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 investigative analysts.
1. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
2. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
7. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
8. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
Average investigative analyst salary by education level
| Investigative analyst education level | Investigative analyst salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $135,561 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $117,363 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $132,501 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $121,708 |
Investigative analyst education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025