Investments and Securities: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program develop advanced expertise in managing financial assets within dynamic capital markets, equipping them with the analytical and strategic skills essential for success in modern investment environments. The curriculum emphasizes real-world applications, blending theoretical foundations with practical techniques used by professionals in securities trading, asset management, and financial advisory roles.
- Security analysis: Evaluating individual financial instruments to assess risk, return potential, and market positioning.
- Debt and equity analysis: Studying fixed-income securities and ownership stakes in companies to inform investment decisions.
- Investment strategies: Designing and implementing approaches tailored to specific goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
- Securities markets: Understanding the structure, function, and regulatory frameworks of global markets where financial instruments are traded.
- Computer-assisted research: Leveraging data analytics tools and financial software to identify trends, model outcomes, and support decision-making.
- Portfolio management: Constructing, maintaining, and adjusting diversified investment collections to meet long-term objectives.
- Portfolio performance analysis: Measuring and interpreting investment returns, risk-adjusted metrics, and benchmark comparisons.
- Applied investment problem solving: Addressing complex financial challenges in business contexts using integrated knowledge of markets, instruments, and strategy.
Investments and Securities Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Investments and Securities Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Investments and Securities degrees, including Financial Risk Specialists, Financial and Investment Analysts and Business Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 950,980 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Risk Specialists 13-2054 | $106,000 | $62,270 - $182,310 | 56,320 | $50.96 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts 13-2051 | $101,350 | $62,410 - $180,550 | 340,580 | $48.73 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents 41-3031 | $78,140 | $47,080 - $215,210 | 472,300 | $37.57 |
Investments and Securities Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $66,480 in Mississippi to $135,163 in New York—a 103% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Wyoming, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 950,980 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Investments and Securities by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Investments and Securities programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Investments and Securities is found at University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (87 graduates), Merrimack College (63 graduates), Harvard University (51 graduates), University of North Dakota (UND) (51 graduates), and Northern Arizona University (NAU) (42 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 414 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Other Award
|
87 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Bachelor's
|
63 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
|
51 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Other Award
|
42 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Lynn University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | lynn.edu |
| Fordham University |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Creighton University |
Master's
|
11 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Other Award
|
9 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Saint Vincent College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Private | stvincent.edu |
| Nichols College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Dudley, Massachusetts | Private | nichols.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Ocean County College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocean.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
2 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Investments and Securities programs
How much can I earn with a Investments and Securities degree?
Salaries for Investments and Securities graduates vary by role and location. Financial Risk Specialists earn a median of $106,000 annually, while Financial and Investment Analysts earn around $101,350. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $135,163 compared to $66,480 in Mississippi. Approximately 950,980 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Investments and Securities programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Investments and Securities degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (87 graduates), Merrimack College (63 graduates), and Harvard University (51 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Investments and Securities growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 220 in 2010 to 414 in 2023-24. This represents a 88% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Investments and Securities degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Financial Risk Specialists, Financial and Investment Analysts, and Business Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 950,980 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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