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
On average, financial analysts rate the meaningfulness of their work a 2.3/5. The majority of financial analysts struggle to find any sort of meaning in their work, likely resulting in less satisfaction with the career overall.
How happy are finance majors? ›
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.
Why is it so hard to get a job in finance? ›
The finance industry is famously hard-charging, especially at the junior levels, and you need to show you can handle it and more. Good references are valuable no matter what, but, more importantly, impressing your bosses during an internship can be a great way to open doors for a future full-time job with that company.
What is the job satisfaction of a financial analyst? ›
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.
How stressful is a career in finance? ›
Finance is not always a stressful career, but for the highest-earning jobs it can be. Long hours and an “always on call” mentality can be extremely stressful for finance professionals, especially those dealing with global markets.
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.
What personality is best for finance? ›
Introverted sensors, ISTJs are known as the best personality type for accounting jobs, CFO positions, or careers as auditors. This type is loyal, hardworking, and understands the importance of their roles; but the real predictor of success here is their analytical nature that enables them to work quickly and precisely.
Is finance a stable career choice? ›
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that business and finance jobs will be in demand from 2022 to 2032, with 911,400 openings on average each year. Certain roles within finance, like financial examiner, are expected to grow over six times faster than the rate for all occupations nationwide.
Is finance a difficult major? ›
Is Finance a Hard Major? Finance is a somewhat difficult major. The difficulty with finance comes down to its concepts that students would not have experienced before in their lives, the financial lingo in the field, and the concentration of math in the subject.
What are the cons of finance career? ›
Cons of a career in finance
- Stress: Some finance professionals find that their roles or industries feature stressful work environments. ...
- Long hours: Employees in the financial sector might also work overtime or unusual business hours, such as evenings and weekends.
How To Decide? Finance is an exciting major with plenty of career opportunities. If you are interested in solving problems in creative ways or helping companies to plan how to grow their revenue or maintain profitability, a finance major is right for you.
What jobs in finance pay the most? ›
The top 5 highest paying jobs in finance are investment banking, hedge fund management, CFO roles, private equity, and actuarial positions. These careers typically offer substantial salaries and the potential for significant bonuses.
How stressful is financial analyst? ›
Financial Analysts often navigate high-pressure environments, balancing tight deadlines with the need for meticulous accuracy in data analysis and forecasting. Stress levels can peak during quarterly earnings reports and fiscal year-ends.
What salary should I ask for as a financial analyst? ›
Salaries by years of experience in the United States
| Years of experience | Per year |
|---|
| 1 to 2 years | $72,819 |
| 3 to 5 years | $80,713 |
| 6 to 9 years | $87,670 |
| More than 10 years | $90,792 |
1 more rowAt the entry-level, you'll usually work between 40 and 50 hours per week. However, that varies based on the group and the time of year. For example, FP&A Analysts might work more like 50-60 hours per week because the role tends to be more strategic and involves more interaction with management.
Is a job in finance worth it? ›
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.
Do finance jobs have bad work life balance? ›
The finance industry is infamous for struggling to create a positive work/life balance because of its long hours and intensely competitive nature. Achieving work/life balance includes being proactive in requesting flexibility with work hours, remote work, and time.
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.
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.
