Financial Analytics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Financial Analytics equips students with advanced analytical capabilities to interpret complex financial datasets and drive strategic decision-making in modern economic environments. This interdisciplinary program integrates cutting-edge data technologies with core financial principles, preparing professionals to leverage data-driven insights across investment, risk assessment, and corporate finance.
- Financial Analytics: The systematic application of statistical and computational methods to evaluate financial performance, forecast trends, and support strategic planning in business and investment contexts.
- Financial Data Processing: Techniques for collecting, cleaning, transforming, and organizing financial data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and usability in analytical workflows.
- Knowledge Management: Strategies for capturing, structuring, and disseminating financial insights across organizations to enhance operational efficiency and informed decision-making.
- Data Visualization: The use of graphical representations to communicate complex financial patterns and performance metrics clearly and effectively to stakeholders.
- Effective Decision Communication: The ability to present analytical findings and recommendations in a concise, persuasive, and actionable manner tailored to diverse audiences.
- Machine Learning for Finance: Application of algorithmic models that learn from historical financial data to predict market behavior, detect anomalies, and optimize trading strategies.
- Statistical Inference and Dynamic Modeling: Advanced statistical techniques used to draw conclusions from financial data and build models that adapt to changing market conditions over time.
- Project Management: Frameworks for planning, executing, and monitoring data-intensive financial projects from initiation to delivery, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Financial Analytics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Financial Analytics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Financial Analytics degrees, including Financial Managers, Data Scientists and Financial and Investment Analysts. 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 2,368,320 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Managers 11-3031 | $161,700 | $86,490 - $239,200 | 818,620 | $77.74 |
| Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts 13-2051 | $101,350 | $62,410 - $180,550 | 340,580 | $48.73 |
| Management Analysts 13-1111 | $101,190 | $59,720 - $174,140 | 893,900 | $48.65 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
Financial Analytics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $79,798 in Mississippi to $136,670 in New York—a 71% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,368,320 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 Financial Analytics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 32 institutions offering Financial Analytics 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 Financial Analytics is found at University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (734 graduates), Boston University (BU) (153 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (139 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (102 graduates), and Lamar University (LU) (91 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,644 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 Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
734 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
153 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
139 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
|
102 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
91 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
76 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
56 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
50 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Master's
|
46 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
29 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
24 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
22 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Master's
|
16 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Master's
|
11 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Master's
|
11 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| University of Baltimore (UBalt) |
Master's
|
7 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ubalt.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Master's
|
6 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Other Award
|
6 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Master's
|
5 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Queens University of Charlotte |
Master's
|
4 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | queens.edu |
| Middle Georgia State University (MGA) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Macon, Georgia | Public | mga.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| University of Houston (UHCL) |
Master's
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhcl.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Georgia Highlands College (GHC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Rome, Georgia | Public | highlands.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Financial Analytics programs
How much can I earn with a Financial Analytics degree?
Salaries for Financial Analytics graduates vary by role and location. Financial Managers earn a median of $161,700 annually, while Data Scientists earn around $112,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $136,670 compared to $79,798 in Mississippi. Approximately 2,368,320 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 Financial Analytics programs?
Currently 32 accredited institutions offer Financial Analytics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (734 graduates), Boston University (BU) (153 graduates), and Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (139 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.
What career paths are available with a Financial Analytics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Financial Managers, Data Scientists, and Financial and Investment Analysts. Related occupations employ approximately 2,368,320 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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