Best institutions to study Investments and Securities
A program that prepares individuals to manage assets placed in capital markets, and related technical operations.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 348 Investments and Securities students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0807, a specialization of Finance and Financial Management Services (CIP 52.08), and leads most directly to the Financial and Investment Analysts occupation (BLS SOC 13-2051).
About Investments and Securities programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage assets placed in capital markets, and related technical operations. Includes instruction in security analysis, debt and equity analysis, investment strategies, securities markets, computer-assisted research, portfolio management, portfolio performance analysis, and applications to specific investment problems and business situations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Investments and Securities program, part of the Finance and Financial Management Services field, prepares students to manage assets within capital markets. This program is ideal for individuals looking to develop a strong foundation in financial management, investment strategies, and securities markets. Students will gain the skills necessary to navigate complex financial environments and make informed investment decisions.
Core coursework includes security analysis, debt and equity analysis, portfolio management, and performance analysis. Students will also engage in computer-assisted research and apply their knowledge to real-world investment problems and business situations, equipping them with the analytical skills needed for success in the finance sector.
Credentials awarded
What Investments and Securities graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree161 graduates / yr · 7 institutions46%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year86 graduates / yr · 5 institutions25%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate78 graduates / yr · 8 institutions22%
- Master's degree21 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.0%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
Graduates over time
Investments and Securities completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 335 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 347 |
| 2015 | 327 |
| 2016 | 334 |
| 2017 | 264 |
| 2018 | 311 |
| 2019 | 224 |
| 2020 | 289 |
| 2021 | 339 |
| 2022 | 373 |
| 2023 | 362 |
| 2024 | 411 |
| 2025 | 348 |
Top 24 institutions for Investments and Securities, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 68 | 75% | — | — |
| 2 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor's | 64 | 60% | — | $49,785 |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 39 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 4 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 36 | 70% | $33,877 | — |
| 5 | Lynn University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 52% | $38,343 | — |
| 6 | Creighton University Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 83% | $27,353 | $60,605 |
| 7 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 13 | 82% | $38,931 | $83,789 |
| 8 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 61% | — | $53,962 |
| 9 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 11 | 79% | $34,418 | $66,072 |
| 10 | Nichols College Dudley, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 63% | $29,718 | $49,581 |
| 11 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 60% | $29,994 | $61,246 |
| 12 | Saint Vincent College Latrobe, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 69% | $21,124 | $61,518 |
| 13 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 68% | — | $52,759 |
| 14 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor's | 6 | 47% | — | — |
| 15 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 67% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Fort Smith, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 38% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 49% | — | $52,744 |
| 18 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 89% | — | — |
| 19 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 61% | — | $43,320 |
| 20 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 84% | — | $71,409 |
| 21 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 22 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicMaster's | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 23 | Ocean County College Toms River, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 42% | — | — |
| 24 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 69% | $34,539 | $55,143 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Finance and Financial Management Services field (CIP 52.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 17 states
Where Investments and Securities graduates come from. Each state links to all Finance and Financial Management Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 4 | 84 | Harvard University39 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 68 | University of Missouri - Columbia68 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 64 | University of North Dakota64 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 34 | Lynn University34 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 22 | Fordham University13 / yr |
| Nebraska | 2 | 19 | Creighton University13 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 18 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia11 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 11 | Northern Arizona University11 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 6 | University of Northern Iowa6 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 5 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins5 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 4 | University of Arkansas - Fort Smith4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee4 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 3 | William & Mary3 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | Murray State University2 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Johns Hopkins University1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Ocean County College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-2051, Financial and Investment Analysts, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Investments and Securities program can pursue careers as Financial and Investment Analysts, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.7% and approximately 25,100 annual job openings. The median wage for these positions is around $101,350, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0807
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial and Investment Analystsprimary SOC 13-2051 | $102,740 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~25,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents SOC 41-3031 | $78,660 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~38,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Financial Risk Specialists SOC 13-2054 | $117,330 | +6.5% Faster than average | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Investments and Securities programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
What graduates do on the job
- Advise clients on aspects of capitalization, such as amounts, sources, or timing.
- Analyze financial or operational performance of companies facing financial difficulties to identify or recommend remedies.
- Assess companies as investments for clients by examining company facilities.
- Collaborate on projects with other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or public relations experts.
- Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients.
- Conduct financial analyses related to investments in green construction or green retrofitting projects.
Tools and technology used
Other Finance and Financial Management Services specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Finance and Financial Management Services (CIP 52.08).
- FinanceCIP 52.080149,441 graduates / yr753 institutions
- Financial Planning and ServicesCIP 52.08044,744 graduates / yr94 institutions
- Banking and Financial Support ServicesCIP 52.08031,011 graduates / yr76 institutions
- Finance and Financial Management ServicesCIP 52.0899273 graduates / yr36 institutions
- Public FinanceCIP 52.0808partial data36 graduates / yr4 institutions
- International FinanceCIP 52.0806partial data34 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Credit ManagementCIP 52.0809partial data6 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Financial Risk ManagementCIP 52.0810limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Finance and Financial Management Services programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in financial analysis, investment strategy formulation, and portfolio management.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Financial and Investment Analyst, Securities Sales Agent, or Financial Risk Specialist.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.7% and about 25,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Investments and Securities?+
Investments and Securities is CIP 52.0807 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Finance and Financial Management Services (CIP 52.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to manage assets placed in capital markets, and related technical operations. Includes instruction in security analysis, debt and equity analysis, investment strategies, securities markets, computer-assisted research, portfolio management, portfolio performance analysis, and applications to specific investment problems and business situations.
How many institutions offer Investments and Securities programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Investments and Securities graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 348 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Finance and Financial Management Services graduates.
How much do Investments and Securities graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Financial and Investment Analysts occupation, which Investments and Securities most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,740 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Finance and Financial Management Services field report median earnings of $55,143 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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