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Securities research analyst education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a securities research analyst. Securities research analysts usually study computer science, business, or finance. 67% of securities research analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 240 real securities research analyst resumes to see exactly what securities research analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for securities research analysts are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.

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

What education do you need to become a securities research analyst?

What degree do you need to be a securities research analyst?

The most common degree for securities research analysts is bachelor's degree, with 67% of securities research analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 22% and master's degree degree at 5%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 22%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a securities research analyst?

You should major in computer science to become a securities research analyst. 20% of securities research analysts major in computer science. Other common majors for a securities research analyst include business and finance.

Most common colleges for securities research analysts

Securities research analysts often get their degrees at University of Maryland - College Park, University of Washington, and Harvard University. Here are the most common colleges for securities research analysts in the US based on their resumes.
Securities research analyst common collegePercentages
University of Maryland - College Park9.52%
University of Washington7.14%
Harvard University7.14%
University of Southern California7.14%
University of Massachusetts Boston7.14%

Best majors for securities research analysts

RankMajorPercentages
1Computer Science20.3%
2Business11.3%
3Finance10.5%
4Electrical Engineering9.8%
5Political Science7.5%

Best colleges for securities research analysts

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

A securities research 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 securities research 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 securities research 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. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

20 best online courses for securities research analysts

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Top 10 most affordable universities for securities research analysts

The most affordable schools for securities research analysts are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for securities research 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 securities research 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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

10. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for securities research analysts

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

Some great schools for securities research 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 securities research 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. 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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

9. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for securities research analysts

The easiest schools for securities research analysts to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and la roche college.

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

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

9. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

10. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

Average securities research analyst salary by education level

According to our data, securities research analysts with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $121,781 annually. Securities research analysts with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $111,293.
Securities research analyst education levelSecurities research analyst salary
Master's Degree$121,781
Bachelor's Degree$111,293
Some College/ Associate Degree$95,538

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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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