Best institutions to study Financial Planning and Services
A program that prepares individuals to plan and manage the financial interests and growth of individuals and institutions.
94 U.S. institutions graduated 4,744 Financial Planning and Services students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0804, a specialization of Finance and Financial Management Services (CIP 52.08), and leads most directly to the Personal Financial Advisors occupation (BLS SOC 13-2052).
About Financial Planning and Services programs
A program that prepares individuals to plan and manage the financial interests and growth of individuals and institutions. Includes instruction in portfolio management, investment management, estate planning, insurance, tax planning, strategic investing and planning, financial consulting services, and client relations.
See also: 19.0401 - Family Resource Management Studies, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Financial Planning and Services program prepares individuals to effectively manage the financial interests and growth of both individuals and institutions. This program is ideal for those interested in careers that involve financial consulting, portfolio management, and strategic investment planning. Students will gain the skills necessary to navigate complex financial landscapes and help clients achieve their financial goals.
In this program, students will develop essential skills in areas such as reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, and client relations. Coursework includes topics like estate planning, tax planning, investment management, and financial consulting services, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to create comprehensive financial strategies.
Credentials awarded
What Financial Planning and Services graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of less than 12 weeks1,703 graduates / yr · 1 institution36%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,517 graduates / yr · 21 institutions32%
- Bachelor's degree806 graduates / yr · 53 institutions17%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate401 graduates / yr · 15 institutions8.5%
- Master's degree272 graduates / yr · 18 institutions5.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years10 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Associate's degree10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Financial Planning and Services completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 603 |
| 2013 | 642 |
| 2014 | 3,386 |
| 2015 | 3,868 |
| 2016 | 4,168 |
| 2017 | 4,062 |
| 2018 | 4,533 |
| 2019 | 3,192 |
| 2020 | 3,499 |
| 2021 | 4,015 |
| 2022 | 1,063 |
| 2023 | 4,996 |
| 2024 | 5,711 |
| 2025 | 4,744 |
Top 50 institutions for Financial Planning and Services, 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 | American College of Financial Services King of Prussia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 3,439 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 181 | 90% | — | $68,681 |
| 3 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 119 | 71% | — | $54,509 |
| 4 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sDoctoral | 74 | 69% | — | $58,535 |
| 5 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 68 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 6 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 58 | 83% | — | $67,009 |
| 7 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 75% | — | — |
| 8 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 45% | — | $60,947 |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 43 | 83% | — | $59,938 |
| 10 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 28 | 65% | — | $68,066 |
| 11 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 50% | — | $41,328 |
| 12 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 68% | — | $66,427 |
| 13 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 20 | 81% | — | $66,889 |
| 14 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor's | 20 | 77% | — | $49,906 |
| 15 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 20 | 84% | — | $71,409 |
| 16 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 60% | $29,994 | $61,246 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 34% | — | $68,552 |
| 18 | Golden Gate University San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 17 | — | — | — |
| 19 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 17 | 61% | — | $57,524 |
| 20 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 16 | 68% | — | $52,759 |
| 21 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicBachelor's | 16 | 65% | — | $51,953 |
| 22 | Franklin University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 11% | $22,280 | $61,645 |
| 23 | Whitworth University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 71% | $23,510 | — |
| 24 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 71% | — | $58,422 |
| 25 | California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 70% | $23,129 | — |
| 26 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicBachelor's | 14 | 69% | — | $51,118 |
| 27 | Bradley University Peoria, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 76% | $21,768 | $54,261 |
| 28 | John Carroll University University Heights, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 79% | $25,705 | $55,590 |
| 29 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 72% | $26,564 | — |
| 30 | Marywood University Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 72% | $21,769 | — |
| 31 | Bryant University Smithfield, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 80% | $38,485 | $61,993 |
| 32 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 11 | 86% | — | $56,516 |
| 33 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 11 | 68% | — | $56,916 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie - Behrend College Erie, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 44% | — | — |
| 35 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 66% | $24,175 | $50,728 |
| 36 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 61% | — | $53,962 |
| 37 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 10 | 58% | — | $50,787 |
| 38 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 10 | 76% | $28,888 | $66,006 |
| 39 | Edison State Community College Piqua, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 38% | — | — |
| 40 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 75% | — | $58,807 |
| 41 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 26% | — | — |
| 42 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 56% | — | $44,355 |
| 43 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 9 | 59% | — | $60,023 |
| 44 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster's | 9 | 81% | — | $68,103 |
| 45 | Berkeley College - New York New York, NYPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 9 | 44% | $29,326 | — |
| 46 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 52% | — | $55,946 |
| 47 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 90% | — | $67,444 |
| 48 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 59% | — | $57,777 |
| 49 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 74% | $22,391 | — |
| 50 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 76% | $22,907 | — |
* 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 37 states
Where Financial Planning and Services graduates come from. Each state links to all Finance and Financial Management Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-2052, Personal Financial Advisors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Financial Planning and Services program can pursue careers as Personal Financial Advisors, Credit Counselors, and more. The job outlook for this field is promising, with a projected growth rate of 9.6% and approximately 24,100 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $102,140, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0804
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Personal Financial Advisorsprimary SOC 13-2052 | $105,070 | +9.6% Much faster than average | ~24,100 | 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 |
Credit Counselors SOC 13-2071 | $52,230 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~2,200 | 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 Financial Planning and Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
- Analyze financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
- Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
- Review clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance indicate a need for plan reassessment.
- Manage client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date.
- Recommend to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals.
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
- Banking and Financial Support ServicesCIP 52.08031,011 graduates / yr76 institutions
- Investments and SecuritiesCIP 52.0807348 graduates / yr24 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 is the duration of the Financial Planning and Services program?+
The program offers various awards, including options that can be completed in less than 12 weeks or up to 1 academic year.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, active listening, and client relations.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
Graduates can work as Personal Financial Advisors, Credit Counselors, or in related financial services roles.
What is the job outlook for financial planners?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.6% and around 24,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Financial Planning and Services?+
Financial Planning and Services is CIP 52.0804 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 plan and manage the financial interests and growth of individuals and institutions. Includes instruction in portfolio management, investment management, estate planning, insurance, tax planning, strategic investing and planning, financial consulting services, and client relations.
How many institutions offer Financial Planning and Services programs?+
94 U.S. institutions reported Financial Planning and Services graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 37 states, awarding 4,744 credentials in the year. That is 8.5% of all Finance and Financial Management Services graduates.
How much do Financial Planning and Services graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Personal Financial Advisors occupation, which Financial Planning and Services most directly leads to, pays a median of $105,070 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Finance and Financial Management Services field report median earnings of $57,777 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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