topTo date, we’ve asked 261 current and past finance students about their happiness with their degree. Turns out, they rate it average.
There are thousands of majors available, and it can be overwhelming trying to choose one.
To help you reach the decision that is right for you, we asked students who have pursued a finance degree to respond to questions concerning five dimensions of the educational track they chose:
- Course material: Were they interested in the material they learned?
- Intellectual fulfillment: Did they find the coursework intellectually stimulating?
- Job prospects: Did they leave the program with job opportunities?
- Personality: Was the degree a good fit for their personality?
- Overall fit: Were they happy with the program overall?
We examined their responses and combined the rankings to give us an average satisfaction score across all students. This doesn't necessarily reflect how satisfied you would be with a finance degree, but it’s a starting point to help you evaluate your options.
How satisfied are finance students compared to other degrees?
Overall, finance students rate their satisfaction with their degree a 3.1 out of 5. This is low compared to other degrees which average a rating of 3.28 across all degrees. For context, finance students rate their happiness similarly to students in Engineering Technology, Digital Communication And Media/Multimedia and Finance and Related Studies.
Here are other degrees that have a similar satisfaction rating to finance
Let's break that down further.
Are finance students satisfied with what they’re learning?
We asked students about their satisfaction with their course material and overall intellectual fulfillment. Here’s what they said:
We asked graduates how interesting they found the course material to be. Their response was:
We asked graduates how intellectually fulfilling they found the degree. Their response was:
These ratings are meant to give you an indication about what other people enrolled in finance experienced. While their input is useful, keep in mind that different people have had vastly different experiences, all of which were impacted by their personal motivations, professors, and specific curriculum. Always keep your own goals at the center of your decision-making process when it comes to something as significant as your education.
Did finance graduates leave school with good job prospects?
Of course, working towards a degree is also about pursuing your desired career. Here’s what finance grads had to say about their job prospects:
We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their job prospects. Their response was:
We can see there’s a cluster of positive responses, which might indicate a strong or growing job market.
Were finance students happy with their degree overall?
This rating takes into account all factors: how demanding the program is, whether graduates felt it was worthwhile, and how fulfilling they found their educational experience.
We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their degree as a whole. Their response was:
As you consider this information and input from others, remember above all that your choice should be based on your interests, goals, passions, and abilities. Consider the future and give yourself time. If you’re feeling unsure, click here to take our career assessment and see what path could be right for you.
FAQs
Most people have traditionally viewed finance careers as high-cost but high-reward. It's extremely difficult to break in, but once you're in, the compensation and exit opportunities make the initial effort worth it.
Are people with finance degrees happy? ›
How satisfied are finance students compared to other degrees? Overall, finance students rate their satisfaction with their degree a 3.1 out of 5. This is low compared to other degrees which average a rating of 3.28 across all degrees.
Are certified financial planners happy? ›
The 2021 survey conducted by Fondulas Strategic Research found that: 93% are strongly satisfied with career choice in financial planning, compared to 93% in 2019 and 92% in 2017. 93% are strongly satisfied with their decision to pursue CFP® certification, compared to 92% in 2019 and 91% in 2017.
How happy are financial analysts? ›
Financial Analysts report above-average job satisfaction, and nearly 40% feel that their job improves someone else's life or helps make the world a better place.
What is the hardest finance job to get? ›
1. Investment Banker. Roles in investing banking are highly sought after. For investment bankers, it's often a higher competition to land a role in one of the largest firms.
Is a finance major stressful? ›
Cons of getting a finance degree
Long hours: Many finance jobs require long hours, particularly in investment banking and other high-pressure roles. Stressful work environment: The finance industry can be stressful, particularly during economic uncertainty or market volatility.
What type of person should major in finance? ›
People who choose to major in finance are interested in numbers, financial markets, and finding ways to make money. They tend to be natural problem-solvers who like setting goals and researching ways to reach them.
Can you be a millionaire with a finance degree? ›
There is a reason people in finance who work in private equity or a hedge fund make millions. These industries make money by investing in companies, and after a certain level you get an equity stake in the profits of the firm through carried interest.
Is finance harder than accounting? ›
While both finance and accounting can be difficult majors, accounting is considered more difficult because it requires more discipline and a lot of math. Accounting is more complex because it relies on precise sets of arithmetic principles.
Why did I quit being a financial advisor? ›
Lack of work ethic. It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to break into a career as a financial advisor. While many are willing to work hard for a period of time, fewer are willing and able to maintain the high-level work ethic required to survive and thrive as a successful advisor.
How stressful is being a financial advisor? Being a financial advisor can be highly stressful due to the responsibility of managing clients' financial futures, market volatility, and the need to make crucial decisions under pressure. Stress levels can vary based on individual clients and market conditions.
How many hours a week do financial advisors work? ›
A typical financial advisor workweek spans a minimum of 40 hours, though some advisors may work more than that. There's no rule, however, dictating that you must work at least 40 hours a week in order to become a financial advisor.
What is the average age of a financial analyst? ›
The workforce of Financial analysts in 2021 was 273,293 people, with 41.4% woman, and 58.6% men. The average age of male Financial analysts in the workforce is 37.6 and of female Financial analysts is 40.6, and the most common race/ethnicity for Financial analysts is White.
Do financial advisors have a good work-life balance? ›
The role, which demands acute attention to market trends, client needs, and financial planning, often extends beyond the typical nine-to-five schedule. This can lead to unpredictable work hours and the need for constant availability, which complicates the pursuit of work-life balance for these professionals.
What is the hardest part of being a financial analyst? ›
The need to manage risk
Financial analysts need to be able to manage risk effectively. This means being able to identify and assess risks and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. Despite these challenges, analysts play a significant role in the finance sector.
Why do people enjoy working in finance? ›
Many accounting and finance professionals love the scope and dynamic aspects of their jobs. They like being able to tap their technological know-how, methodical approaches to problem solving and deep understanding of how businesses work.
Do finance majors have good work life balance? ›
The role, which demands acute attention to market trends, client needs, and financial planning, often extends beyond the typical nine-to-five schedule. This can lead to unpredictable work hours and the need for constant availability, which complicates the pursuit of work-life balance for these professionals.
Are finance jobs hard to get? ›
You don't need an MBA to work in finance, but the field is highly competitive, especially at the entry-level. Internships offer experience, exposure, and a tryout for a full-time gig.
Is finance major saturated? ›
Competitive job market: While finance is in high demand, it's also a competitive field with many qualified candidates. To succeed, you'll need to focus on networking, internships, and extracurricular activities, and be prepared to work hard.
