Elevate your career with CFA Institute
Enhance your Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics expertise with financial acumen to unlock new opportunities.
Enhance your Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics expertise with financial acumen to unlock new opportunities.
Your STEM expertise has equipped you with sought-after skills in the financial world. Are you ready to bridge the gap?
The globally recognized Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) credential represents the gold standard in investment qualifications – awarded after you complete the CFA® Program. With this prestigious achievement to set you apart, your career can gain a critical edge.
Leverage your analytical and problem-solving skills in new, lucrative career paths – within or beyond STEM fields.
Command a higher salary, compared to non-CFA charterholders, thanks to your financial knowledge and expertise.
Gain a globally-recognized qualification valued by top employers in the finance and investment industry worldwide.
USD 267,000
Average total compensation across all job functions
190,000+
Charterholders globally - the biggest network of investment professionals in the world
90%
Of Hiring Managers prefer CFA charterholders for executive positions
CFA | MBA | CPA | CFP | |
Recognition | Preferred by nearly 90% of executives and senior level positions for investment management roles. | Not a requirement for most positions | Increasingly becoming required | Required to become a financial planner |
Focus | Investment tools and valuing assets | Broad list of business concepts | Auditing, business concepts, financial accounting, regulation | Financial and investment planning |
Difficulty | 38% pass rate for Level I | Pass rate depends on individual universities | 53 - 64% pass rate | 62 - 66% pass rate |
Professionals | 178,000 | >100,000 degrees awarded annually | 659,000 | 181,000 |
Average salary | USD180,000 | USD107,000 | USD70,000 | USD80,000 |
Costs | Min. USD3,050 - 3,950* | USD80,000 - 125,000 | USD800 | USD825 |
Cumulative knowledge
The CFA Program is a series of three exams: Levels I, II, and III. Each level of the curriculum builds on the prior level, helping develop your skills over time.
Personalized learning
Study at your own pace with our customized online learning tool. By adapting to your needs, strengths and weaknesses, it can help you focus on areas to work on.
Scholarships
We offer a variety of scholarships to help more people advance their careers and reach the highest standards of professional excellence.
Watch inspiring stories of professionals who leveraged their STEM backgrounds with the CFA charter to unlock new opportunities.