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
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.
What is the satisfaction of a finance major? ›
Unfortunately, jobs in finance tend to score lower than average on satisfaction surveys. This could be attributed to the demanding nature of the work. Long hours, high pressure, and a competitive environment can take a toll on well-being. However, satisfaction within finance can also depend on the specific role.
Are financial managers happy? ›
With a median salary of over $139,000, plenty of opportunities for advancement, average stress levels, and above average work/life balance due to flexible working arrangements, financial managers are some of the most satisfied workers in the U.S.
Are financial analysts happy? ›
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.
Is finance harder than accounting? ›
Is finance harder than accounting? Accounting relies on precise arithmetic principles, making it more complex, whereas finance requires a grasp of economics and accounting without as much mathematical detail.
Is finance major oversaturated? ›
At number one we have finance. Given that this is one of the majors with the highest upside. while also being incredibly easy academic wise and extremely popular, you betcha this one is oversaturated and super competitive.
Is a finance degree worth it in 2024? ›
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects significant growth for Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors, with growth rates surpassing the average for all occupations. With median salaries ranging from $64,000 to $75,000 annually, a finance degree in 2024 positions you to capitalize on these lucrative roles.
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.
Is finance a stable major? ›
Finance degree jobs can provide relatively high pay, stability, opportunities for advancement and consistent demand projections. Careers in finance may also offer flexibility for employees by allowing them to work remotely or in hybrid environments.
How old is the average financial manager? ›
The workforce of Financial managers in 2022 was 1,360,907 people, with 55.6% woman, and 44.4% men. The average age of male Financial managers in the workforce is 44 and of female Financial managers is 45.1, and the most common race/ethnicity for Financial managers is White.
Financial managers score highly on extraversion, meaning that they rely on external stimuli to be happy, such as people or exciting surroundings. They also tend to be high on the measure of conscientiousness, which means that they are methodical, reliable, and generally plan out things in advance.
Do finance managers have a good work-life balance? ›
The role of a Finance Manager is inherently demanding, with the need to oversee financial planning, manage risks, and ensure the fiscal health of their organization. These tasks often extend beyond the typical nine-to-five workday, encroaching on personal time and challenging the very concept of work-life balance.
How old is the average financial analyst? ›
Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about finance analysts after extensive research and analysis: There are over 298,552 finance analysts currently employed in the United States. 43.8% of all finance analysts are women, while 56.2% are men. The average finance analyst age is 39 years old.
What are the cons of being a financial analyst? ›
Drawbacks of a career in finance can include high stress, long working hours, continuing education requirements, and, in some cases, limited job stability.
Do financial analysts get laid off? ›
Financial planning and analysis, also known as FP&A, is often the first team to run the numbers behind who and how many employees should be laid off, CFO Brew reported last fall, but that doesn't mean they're safe from cuts themselves, as evidenced by the recent layoffs at Twilio and Truepill.
How happy are people who work in finance? ›
On average, financial managers rate the meaningfulness of their work a 2.6/5. While most financial managers aren't very fulfilled by their work, some people may still manage to find meaning in it.
What degree are people most happy with? ›
Psychology. It makes sense that one of the most popular degree programs is also among the most fascinating. A bachelor's degree in psychology provides students with unique insight into the workings of the human mind, which remains one of the most powerful and mysterious organic tools in the universe.
Are degrees in finance worth it? ›
High earning potential: Many jobs in finance offer high salaries and growth potential, making it a lucrative career choice. Diverse career opportunities: With a finance degree, you can work in various roles and industries, from investment banking to risk management to financial planning.
Do finance majors have good work life balance? ›
On average, Financial Analysts can expect to work between 40 to 70 hours per week, with the longer end typical for those in investment banking or during busy financial reporting periods. Workload can fluctuate with market conditions, fiscal year-ends, and the specific demands of their employer.
