CFA vs MBA: Which is Better for Your Finance Career in 2025?
  • Courses
  • CFA vs MBA: Which is Better for Your Finance Career in 2025?

CFA vs MBA: Which is Better for Your Finance Career in 2025?

#MBA
Moksh DheriUpdated on 13 Aug 2025, 08:23 AM IST

Finance is amongst the most high-paying and rewarding disciplines in the world. There are a lot of promising courses at certification, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. A degree or a certification in finance allows candidates to explore several domains, due to the widespread applicability of Finance in every industry. However, choosing the most appropriate course can be an enormous challenge. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and MBA (Master of Business Administration) are the two most rewarding courses in Finance.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is CFA? (Chartered Financial Analyst)
  2. What is an MBA? (Master of Business Administration)
  3. CFA vs MBA- A Comparison
CFA vs MBA: Which is Better for Your Finance Career in 2025?
cfa vs mba

CFA is a popular certification in finance that is globally recognised and considered a golden career in finance. The CFA course is divided into three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Similarly, an MBA or Master of Business Administration is another popular course offered in the field of management. Candidates can choose their preferred specialisation according to their interests.

While both the CFA and MBA offer a very promising career in finance, there are many differences. Candidates can choose any of the courses to have a great future in the finance domain. In this article, we will discuss the similarities, differences, scope, career opportunities, eligibility criteria, and admission guidelines of both of these courses.

SDMIMD-PGDM Admissions 2026

Average CTC 10 LPA | International Collaborations | Avail Merit Scholarships

SPJIMR Mumbai PGDM Admissions 2026

Ranked No. 3 Business School in India and no.35 in world by Financial Times MiM 2025 Ranking | Highest CTC: INR 81 LPA

What is CFA? (Chartered Financial Analyst)

CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst is a popular charter that is generally pursued by candidates interested in working in the BFSI segment. CFA charter is an official designation offered by the CFA Institute to those who have cleared all the levels and have met all the course requirements. CFA is one of the most respected designations offered in the field of finance and allows candidates to choose from a lot of high-paying careers.

Top UGC Approved Colleges for Online MBA
Download this ebook and get all details related to the top UGC approved colleges for Online MBA.
Download List Here

Eligibility Criteria of CFA

To be eligible for the CFA charter, candidates must have fulfilled some enrollment requirements. Students can check these requirements on the official website of the CFA Institute, which is www.cfainstitute.org. However, for the student’s reference, we have mentioned the eligibility details of CFA below.

  • Candidates must have an international travel passport.
  • They must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised institute in India. Candidates should apply for the CFA exam, 23 months from graduation.
  • Candidates with a bachelor’s degree can apply for the CFA Level-1 exam, however, they can apply for the CFA Level-2, 11 months after their graduation.
Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025

Galgotias University | Admissions 2025

25+ years of legacy | NAAC A+ Grade | 800+ Recruiters | 1.5 CR-Highest Package

Alternatively, candidates should also meet the requirements below.

  • A minimum of 4000 hours of professional work experience, or a combination of work experience and education that is accrued over 36 months (or a minimum of three years duration).

Eligibility ParametersDetails

Passport required

International travel passport

Qualification requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

CFA Level-1 Qualification Requirements

To apply for a CFA course, candidates should complete their bachelor’s degree from a recognised institute in India.

Work Experience/Educational Academic Duration Requirements

4000 hours of work experience or a combination of work experience and education that is accrued over 36 months (3 academic years)

How does CFA Contribute to a Successful Career in Finance?

CFA is often considered a gold standard in finance and prepares graduates for a range of job roles. The course curriculum of a CFA institute is very comprehensive, however, it is very exhaustive and requires in-depth knowledge and practical knowledge. Listed below are some of the benefits of a CFA charter and how it helps candidates to have successful careers in finance.

  • Career Growth- CFA is a highly acclaimed course and prepares constituents to apply for several high-paying job roles. Candidates can explore a lot of jobs related to finance.
  • Good Networking Opportunities- Candidates get various opportunities for building good professional relationships. These networks will assist them in their careers and allow them to grow professionally.
  • In-depth knowledge of the Finance and Investment industry- CFA allows candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the finance industry.
  • Higher earning potential- Many candidates apply for a CFA course to get a salary hike and increase their earning potential.

Candidates can also check this article- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) - The Gold Standard in Finance, to learn more about how CFA is one of the highly desired courses for a successful career in the Finance industry.

What is an MBA? (Master of Business Administration)

MBA, popularly known as Master of Business Administration, is a well-known postgraduate degree programme in the field of business management. However, an MBA is a broad discipline consisting of a wide range of specialisations, popular ones being Finance, Marketing, and Human Resource Management. Individual colleges may have their own enrollment requirements for the course.

Eligibility Criteria for an MBA

Only eligible students will be allowed to advance to the application process. Generally, for an MBA degree, the eligibility varies depending on the provider, the type of institute, and depending on the specialisation. Students can check the eligibility or qualification details on the official website of the provider or the programme brochure. However, some of the basic admission requirements for an MBA are provided below.

Eligibility ParametersDetails

Educational Qualification

Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institute in India

Marks required

50 per cent or more (for the general category), 5-10 per cent relaxation for candidates belonging to the reserved categories

Entrance exams

CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and NMAT

Admission procedure

Entrance Exam+Group Discussion+Personal Interview

Work Experience

Compulsory for Executive MBA, optional for other MBA courses

Is an MBA good for a Career in Finance?

Compared to the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), an MBA provides broader business knowledge to the candidates. While an MBA in Finance provides a promising career path in the field of Financial Services, students can also choose a range of specialisations depending on their interests and future goals.

MBA Finance graduates can explore areas such as investment banking, financial analysis, taxation, and the BFSI segment. Graduates can work in both private and public sectors or can pursue entrepreneurship and set up their own financial firms.

CFA vs MBA- A Comparison

The table mentioned below compares both MBA (Master of Business Administration) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). For further information, candidates can check the official website of the CFA Institute or their desired MBA institute.

Particulars

CFA

MBA

Course Duration

3-4 years

2 years

Fees for the entire duration

USD 1290 to USD 1390 (fees for early registration will be USD 990 for levels 1 and 2, and USD 1090 for Level 3)

Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 25 Lakhs

Admission Process

Entrance test

Entrance Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview

Job Profiles

Financial Analyst, Risk Manager, Asset Manager

Sales Manager, Finance Manager, HR Manager, and Marketing Manager

Course Curriculum

Economics, Financial Statement Analysis, Equity Investments, Derivatives (Regularly updated to meet the industry requirements)

Organisational Behaviour, Business Communication, Quantitative Methods, Accounting, Business Research Methods, and Legal Aspects of Business

Conclusion

To conclude, both MBA and CFA are excellent courses for someone interested in working in the field of Finance. Both these courses offer excellent knowledge of finance and prepare the graduates for a variety of career options. Students can also apply for higher-level degrees after graduation. Some of which are Ph.D, or M.Phil in Finance or similar disciplines. CFA and MBA are both indeed valuable courses, each offering good knowledge and a successful career in Finance.

Certifications By Top Providers
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Introduction to Managerial Economics
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Online MBA Business Analytics
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
The Science and Business of Biotechnology
Via Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 3320 courses
Edx
 1992 courses
Swayam
 1936 courses
Coursera
 1660 courses
NPTEL
 1258 courses
Futurelearn
 1074 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hey! If you are looking for a fully online MBA with minimum fees while staying in Gadchiroli, you can consider a few good options. The most budget-friendly is IGNOU Online/Distance MBA, which comes around 60,000–70,000 for the whole program and is recognized by UGC-DEB. Apart from that, universities like Bharati Vidyapeeth Online (approx 1.6 lakh) and DY Patil Vidyapeeth Online (approx 1.7 lakh) also provide online MBAs with flexible learning and multiple specialisations.

If cost is your main concern, IGNOU is the best choice. But if you want better exposure and placement assistance, then Bharati Vidyapeeth or DY Patil could be good options. Just make sure the course you choose is UGC-approved so that your degree is valid everywhere.

Hello

  • Since you took admission through the General category, the fees were charged accordingly.

  • Now that your caste validity certificate is accepted on the CET portal, you may be eligible for fee benefits.

  • You need to inform your college administration and request fee revision or refund (if applicable).

  • The benefit will depend on state norms and whether the admission round allows category update.

  • Contact your college and submit a written request with proof for any applicable fee concession.

Hello dear  student,

For Best colleges for online MBA in marketing you can visit you link below for a detailed explanation about everything related to this.

https://www.careers360.com/courses/online-mba-in-marketing

Hello, the MBA in Finance at Andhra Mahila School of Informatics is a 2 year program where you’ll study subjects like accounting, financial management, and strategy along with projects and internships. The total fee is around 90,000. Placements are decent, with an average package of about 3.5 to 4 LPA, and companies like Deloitte, Infosys, and ICICI visit the campus. If you stay focused and build skills, you can get good opportunities through the placement cell.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page