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Wealth management advisor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a wealth management advisor. Wealth management advisors usually study business, finance, or economics. 72% of wealth management advisors hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,828 real wealth management advisor resumes to see exactly what wealth management advisor education sections show.
The most common colleges for wealth management advisors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online wealth management advisor courses to help get the education required to be a wealth management advisor.
There are certain wealth management advisor certifications that you should consider. These wealth management advisor certifications include Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
What education do you need to become a wealth management advisor?
What degree do you need to be a wealth management advisor?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 5%
- Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a wealth management advisor?
- Business, 31%
- Finance, 21%
- Economics, 6%
- Accounting, 6%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for wealth management advisors
| Wealth management advisor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 12.62% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.25% |
| Arizona State University | 6.31% |
| Florida International University | 6.31% |
| University of Houston | 5.83% |
Best majors for wealth management advisors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 31.3% |
| 2 | Finance | 20.8% |
| 3 | Economics | 6.4% |
| 4 | Accounting | 5.9% |
| 5 | Political Science | 4.7% |
Best colleges for wealth management advisors
The best colleges for wealth management advisors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
A wealth management advisor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for wealth management advisors. 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 wealth management advisors.
1. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
2. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lincoln, NE • Private
In-state tuition
$9,242
Enrollment
20,592
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for wealth management advisors
Advertising disclosure
1. Investment Management
In this Specialization, you will understand how investment strategies are designed to reach financial goals in a global context. You will learn the theory that underlies strong investment decisions, as well as practical, real-world skills that you can apply when discussing investment proposals with your advisor, managing your personal assets or your client’s investment portfolio. You will start by developing a global understanding of financial markets and what impacts rational and irrational...
2. Planning your Client's Wealth over a 5-year Horizon
In this Capstone project, you will have to choose between three different characters (each with a unique set of financial constraints and objectives) and design an appropriate wealth plan for them over the next 5 years. You will have to use the knowledge you gained in each of the four preceding courses to reach that objective. Indeed, you will need to know which assets to consider and how to manage them depending on changes in the economic outlook (Course 1), how to evaluate and deal with your...
3. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets
Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...
4. The Personal Finance and Wealth Management Masterclass
Become an Expert in Personal Finance and Investing. Learn MBA-Level Financial Analysis. Master Finance Fundamentals...
5. 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...
6. Financial Management
This Specialization covers the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including financial accounting, investments, and corporate finance. You will learn to evaluate major strategic corporate and investment decisions and to understand capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, and you will develop an integrated framework for value-based financial management and individual financial decision-making.\n\nThe Financial Management Specialization is part of the University...
7. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management - Core Finance
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Excel® & Google Sheets...
8. Financial Risk Management (FRM): Foundational FRM Principles
Minimize Financial Risks While Maximizing Financial Reward. + Financial Risk Management (FRM) Process Implementation...
9. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management with Python
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Python for Finance / Investing...
10. Real Estate Asset Management 101
Real Estate Asset Management Training From Acquisition, To Ownership, Through Sale For Profitable Real Estate Investing...
11. Learn Risk Management: Risk Planning in Agile and Scrum
Complete Risk Management and Risk Planning Training: Identify Project Risks, Create Risk Plan and Monitor Risks in Scrum...
12. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM
Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...
13. Operational Risks Management ORM
Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...
14. Cost Accounting and Financial Management - A Complete Study
Learn theory and practical concepts in Cost Accounting and Financial Management with loads of video lectures...
15. Value Investing: The Complete Financial Statement Analysis
Value Investing Mastery - How to Perform Financial Statement Analysis & Financial Ratio Analysis to Find Great Stocks...
16. Financial Statement Analysis
Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...
17. Risk Management: An Introduction
An essential guide to understanding Risk Management...
18. [2023] IT Asset Management (ITAM)- Software Asset Management
Learn IT Asset Management (ITAM) — Software Asset Management From Basics To Advanced...
19. Audit - Financial Statement
Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...
20. Investment Banking: The Complete Financial Ratio Analysis
Investment Banking For Investors & Financial Analysts - How to Perform Financial Statement Analysis & Company Valuation...
Top 10 most affordable universities for wealth management advisors
The most affordable schools for wealth management advisors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and usf sarasota-manatee.
If the best universities for wealth management advisors 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 wealth management advisors.
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. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
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 - 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. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
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 wealth management advisors
The hardest universities for wealth management advisors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
Some great schools for wealth management advisors 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 wealth management advisors 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for wealth management advisors
The easiest schools for wealth management advisors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, holy names university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a wealth management advisor 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 wealth management advisors.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
6. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
7. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
9. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
10. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
Average wealth management advisor salary by education level
| Wealth management advisor education level | Wealth management advisor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $105,318 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $95,953 |
| Doctorate Degree | $114,784 |
Wealth management advisor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025