'I'm in my 30s and majored in finance': In the age of AI, which pays off - a CFA or an executive MBA?

By Aditi Shrikant

'I want long-term job security and to not be in a crazy amount of debt.'

"I want long-term job security and to not be in a crazy amount of debt." (Photo subject is a model.)

Dear Dollar Signs,

I'm in my 30s and majored in finance in college. I'm considering pursuing a higher degree or advanced certification, and I was wondering what's worth pursuing more given the rise of AI and increasing job insecurity due to automation: a CFA or an executive MBA?

I want long-term job security and to not be in a crazy amount of debt.

Anxious about AI

If you're just starting out on your money or career journey and have questions about how to navigate your finances, we want to hear from you. Write to Dollar Signs, MarketWatch's new advice column, at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

Dear Anxious,

With so much chatter about artificial intelligence and automation replacing jobs, I understand why you're concerned. Financial services across the board will be affected by automation, and neither a CFA nor an EMBA will save you from that reality.

Instead, ask yourself what kind of professional path you're looking to pursue as a CFA or EMBA, as they don't necessarily have the same career options. CFAs have more technical expertise and usually pursue careers in risk or portfolio management. They can also be in early-career positions.

If you have an EMBA, though, that communicates to employers that you are a seasoned professional looking to take more of a leadership role. You're interested in more high-level management positions. The more client-facing your role and the more it relies on ingenuity, the more likely you will be to avoid an AI-related restructuring.

When it comes to AI, I would focus on learning how to utilize programs to enhance your own skills.

Showing potential employers that you know when and when not to implement it will communicate a level of mastery that matters more than any degree or advanced certification, says Thomas A. Kochan, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

"The specific degree is less important than demonstrating that they took the time to study the strengths and limitations of AI," he says.

Job opportunities differ

Regardless of which certification you pursue, you'll want to stay away from roles where tasks like data entry, data collection, bookkeeping or recognizing patterns to assess risk are the bulk of the responsibility, as those are the most susceptible to automation.

Instead, veer toward positions that rely more on judgement, creativity or fostering human relationships.

MIT professors Isabella Laoiza and Robert Rigobon found there are four traits that AI cannot replace: trust, inclusion, innovation and customer experience. In a 2025 paper, the two likened AI to the ATM - noting that ATMs didn't eliminate bank tellers, but instead reshaped their roles.

Overall, more job listings mention "MBA" than mention "CFA," according to data from Indeed, the careers website. However, posts that included "CFA" increased 133% from 2021 to 2026, while those that included "MBA" only increased 51%. But these are not apples-to-apples comparisons: MBA and EMBA jobs are likely to be for older and more senior candidates.

However, the return on investment for each of these degrees is very different. CFA program fees are between $3,520 and $4,600, according to the CFA Institute, depending on when you register. CFAs make, on average, $185,000, according to Coursera.

An EMBA, though, is much pricier, with top-tier programs charging students more than $200,000. For example, in 2026, getting an EMBA from the University of Pennsylvania costs $243,000. The University of Texas at Dallas, though, offers the same degree for $90,000. The average salary of an EMBA holder is $228,659, according to OnlineMBA.com.

Answering questions about AI

Considering AI when you're applying for jobs isn't a bad instinct, as you will most likely be asked how or why you use it. Regardless of what job you're applying for, communicating that you know how to use these tools responsibly and in a way that makes you more productive is key.

The best job candidates show potential employers that "they know they have to check AI tools for accuracy and hallucinations," which is when the program makes up informaiton, Kochan says.

Be specific in your answers and give concrete examples of which programs you used. You could point to a project you completed and say how AI helped you, and what limitations you noticed while using it.

If you want to pursue a higher certification, a CFA is cheaper than an EMBA. However, any roles that do not rely on human judgement are susceptible to replacement. In order to AI-proof your career, apply to jobs where critical thinking and innovation are more important than technical skills. This can lead you down a career path that won't be automated - at least not for a while.

Write to Dollar Signs at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

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-Aditi Shrikant

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04-16-26 0915ET