Best Private Equity Courses With Certificate for 2026

Private equity courses and certification programs can help you move into a finance career focused on raising, trading, and evaluating private securities. Most professionals who enter this field have a Certified Private Equity Professional (CPEP) certification or similar credentials. This article will show you how to achieve that through convenient online certification programs.

Why Take a Private Equity Course With a Certificate?

A strong private equity training program provides the foundation for becoming competitive in the financial business. Respected programs utilize seasoned equity pros to teach the basic, intermediate, and advanced topics related to equity transactions and raising capital. This certification can also lead to entry-level employment in some cases.

What To Look for in a Private Equity Course

Before enrolling in an online equity training program, research and identify the most respected schools. We recommend applying the following criteria: program reputation, flexible formats, affordable costs, and promising career outcomes.

• Accreditation and reputation: You have the best chance of finding a worthwhile program if you research those with accreditation, or others that have positive testimonials from previous students.
• Flexibility and learning format: Online training courses are convenient and usually let you access course materials after live seminars finish.
• Cost and value of the certificate: Consider reputable programs that also offer competitive pricing and useful certifications.
• Career outcomes and networking opportunities: The best programs also put you in contact with private equity professionals throughout the financial business.

10 Best Private Equity Courses With Certificates

Here's a list of private equity certifications worth your consideration. Each one features online training and support from instructors.

1. Wharton Online Private Equity Certificate Program

The Wharton Online Private Equity Certificate Program is one of the most popular of its kind, with a strong reputation for job placement upon completion. This course costs $5,000, but you can pay the fees in monthly installments.

Most students devote about 10 hours each week for about eight weeks to complete the training and pass the certificate exam. This program has corporate partnerships with over 500 companies in 40+ countries, including top firms like Meta, Samsung, Pepsi, Bank of America, AT&T, and BlackRock.

• Program cost: $5,000
• Program length: About eight weeks

2. CFA Institute

CFA Institute offers an affordable five-course certification program for aspiring private equity professionals. Each course module covers important subjects like private market essentials, using debt instruments to build private equity, intermediate financial modeling, and evaluating fund performances.

Students receive a private equity certificate after passing a 90-minute final assessment with 60 multiple-choice questions.

• Program cost: $890
• Program length: Self-paced (12-month access to course materials)

3. United States Private Equity Counsel

United States Private Equity Counsel offers a CPEP certification to help new financial professionals to ''succeed in the fiercely competitive financial industry.'' This course includes a digital badge you can display on your resume or LinkedIn profile after completing an online examination. The course content and exam preparatory materials cover 22 topics in private equity and investing.

• Program cost: $850
• Program length: Self-paced with a 90-minute certification exam

4. Financial Edge Training

Financial Edge Training calls its online training programs a ''micro-degree'' for future private equity associates. This certification course teaches students about financial statement analysis, leveraged buyouts, and over 60 other topics. This program also includes almost 400 training exercises, six training exams, and a 90-minute certification exam.

• Program cost: $839
• Program length: About 72 hours.

5. Corporate Finance Institute

Corporate Finance Institute offers a certification program covering investment banking and private equity modeling for individuals and financial teams. All course materials are 100% online and self-paced with over 80 interactive exercises.

It teaches students about leveraged buyouts, statement modeling, mergers and acquisitions, normalizing income statements, and more.

• Program cost: $497
• Program length: Self-paced with about 25 hours of course modules

6. Institutional Limited Partners Association

The Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) offers an online certification of the fundamentals of private equity for brand-new financial professionals. The course covers essential key terms and definitions while exploring the important role of private equity in the investment process. Everything follows a self-paced format, including interactive videos and quizzes.

• Program cost: $299
• Program length: The course description does not mention a specific timeline.

7. Udemy

Udemy's private equity course is a composite of two smaller courses on private equity and venture capital. It promises training and course materials, usually worth $200, for only $34.98. You can also get the private equity course by itself for just $17.99.

• Program cost: $34.98
• Program length: The course covers about nine hours of training content.

8. CFA Society of Washington, DC

CFA Society of Washington, DC offers an extensive certification course, which lasts eight weeks and requires about eight hours of study per week. The instructors maintain live office hours, but you can proceed through the course materials anytime you wish.

Once you complete everything and pass the certification exam, you will receive a certificate issued by Wharton Online and Wall Street Prep.

• Program cost: $4,700
• Program length: About eight weeks

9. The Institute of Business Advisors

The Institute of Business Advisors (IBA) offers a Certified Private Equity Advisor� (CPEA) certification for prospective financial professionals who wish to ''master the core essentials'' of the industry. Program costs include a $199 registration fee and a $300 fee to take the certification exam.

• Program cost: $499
• Program length: The program has seven core courses and 13 self-paced business courses.

10. Alison

Alison has two free private equity courses with certification options. Each course requires two to three hours of training, covering important topics in venture capital and private equity. The venture capital section is more of a beginner course, whereas the private equity course features more advanced topics.

• Program cost: Free courses
• Program length:_ Between two to three hours per course

Who Should Enroll in a Private Equity Course?

Private equity courses are a smart way to prepare for certification and enter the financial business. While there are other ways to gain knowledge and credentials in this field, it will generally cost much more to earn a finance degree from a university. These courses let you explore entry-level opportunities without a large investment.

FAQs About Private Equity Courses With Certificates

Check out a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) about private equity training. This section addresses your concerns about costs, certification respectability, and course durations.

Are There Free Private Equity Certificate Programs?

Yes, there are free courses and certifications available through organizations like Alison. Sometimes, you must pay for the certification separately, but the course modules are free after registering.

How Long Does a Private Equity Certificate Take to Complete?

Some free courses may take only a few hours to complete, whereas others take several weeks. Many of the longer programs work well for part-time students who still work other jobs.

Are Online Private Equity Certificates Respected by Employers?

Yes, these programs look good to many employers. You should not expect automatic employment upon completion, but certifications are a terrific way to augment your resume with a reputable credential.

Can a Certificate Help Me Transition Into Private Equity?

Yes, this can help you enter the private equity industry. Although networking and related experience can help, a certification can make a difference when you seek entry-level employment at financial companies.

What Jobs Can I Pursue After a Private Equity Course?

You can pursue several rewarding positions after completing these courses. Certifications could help you qualify for roles in venture capitalism, financial consulting, real estate investment, financial entrepreneurship, and more.

Discover Finance Programs

Check out everything else Learn.org offers for financial education through flexible online programs. This includes private equity courses along with other credentials like associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees, and advanced certifications.