Financial Planning and Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring financial professionals, this program equips students with the analytical and strategic skills needed to guide individuals and organizations in achieving long-term financial success. Through a comprehensive curriculum grounded in real-world applications, learners develop expertise in managing wealth, mitigating risk, and delivering tailored financial solutions across diverse client needs.
- Portfolio Management: Learn to construct, monitor, and optimize investment portfolios that align with client goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
- Investment Management: Explore strategies for selecting and managing financial assets to maximize returns while maintaining appropriate risk levels.
- Estate Planning: Study legal and financial frameworks for transferring wealth efficiently, minimizing tax liabilities, and ensuring legacy objectives are met.
- Insurance Planning: Understand the role of life, health, disability, and property insurance in comprehensive financial protection and risk management.
- Tax Planning: Develop skills in identifying tax-efficient strategies that reduce liabilities and enhance after-tax wealth accumulation.
- Strategic Investing and Financial Planning: Master the integration of long-term financial goals with investment decisions, retirement planning, and wealth preservation techniques.
- Financial Consulting Services: Gain expertise in advising clients on complex financial matters, including budgeting, debt management, and financial goal setting.
- Client Relations and Communication: Cultivate interpersonal and advisory skills essential for building trust, understanding client needs, and delivering personalized financial guidance.
Financial Planning and Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Financial Planning and Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Financial Planning and Services degrees, including Personal Financial Advisors, Business Teachers, Postsecondary and Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 852,670 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisors 13-2052 | $102,140 | $49,990 - $239,200 | 270,480 | $49.11 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents 41-3031 | $78,140 | $47,080 - $215,210 | 472,300 | $37.57 |
| Credit Counselors 13-2071 | $50,480 | $38,980 - $77,920 | 28,110 | $24.27 |
Financial Planning and Services Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $56,543 in Mississippi to $126,450 in New York—a 124% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Alaska, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 852,670 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Financial Planning and Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 84 institutions offering Financial Planning and Services programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Financial Planning and Services is found at American College of Financial Services (4,608 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (174 graduates), Kansas State University (K‑State) (98 graduates), Texas Tech University (TTU) (50 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (49 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5,773 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American College of Financial Services |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Residency
Other Award
|
4,608 | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | Private | theamericancollege.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
174 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
49 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
49 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
40 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
24 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Franklin University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
| California Lutheran University (CLU) |
Master's
|
15 | Thousand Oaks, California | Private | callutheran.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
|
14 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
14 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Other Award
|
13 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Berkeley College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
12 | New York, New York | Private | berkeleycollege.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
12 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
11 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Golden Gate University (GGU) |
Master's
|
10 | San Francisco, California | Private | ggu.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Other Award
|
9 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Elizabethtown College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania | Private | etown.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Bryant University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Smithfield, Rhode Island | Private | bryant.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Master's
|
9 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Biola University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Creighton University |
Master's
|
8 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Marywood University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
8 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
7 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
7 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Other Award
|
6 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
6 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| George Fox University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| Carolina University (CU) |
Master's
|
6 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | carolinau.edu |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms (Elms College) |
Master's
|
4 | Chicopee, Massachusetts | Private | elms.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| University of Charleston (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Charleston, West Virginia | Private | ucwv.edu |
| University of Arkansas Grantham (UA) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | LIttle Rock, Arkansas | Public | uagrantham.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Rochester University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Private | rochesteru.edu |
| The University of Olivet |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Olivet, Michigan | Private | uolivet.edu |
| Park University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
3 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
| Berkeley College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Woodland Park, New Jersey | Private | berkeleycollege.edu |
| University of Jamestown (UJ) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Jamestown, North Dakota | Private | uj.edu |
| DeSales University |
Other Award
|
3 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | desales.edu |
| Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Other Award
|
3 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | McAlester, Oklahoma | Public | ktc.edu |
| Husson University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| Delaware State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Dover, Delaware | Public | desu.edu |
| Adrian College |
Other Award
|
2 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | adrian.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Georgetown College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Georgetown, Kentucky | Private | georgetowncollege.edu |
| Regis College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Weston, Massachusetts | Private | regiscollege.edu |
| Cleary University |
Master's
|
1 | Howell, Michigan | Private | cleary.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Immaculata University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | Private | immaculata.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Altoona, Pennsylvania | Public | altoona.psu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Financial Planning and Services programs
How much can I earn with a Financial Planning and Services degree?
Salaries for Financial Planning and Services graduates vary by role and location. Personal Financial Advisors earn a median of $102,140 annually, while Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $97,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $126,450 compared to $56,543 in Mississippi. Approximately 852,670 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Financial Planning and Services programs?
Currently 84 accredited institutions offer Financial Planning and Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include American College of Financial Services (4,608 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (174 graduates), and Kansas State University (K‑State) (98 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Financial Planning and Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 597 in 2010 to 5,773 in 2023-24. This represents a 867% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Financial Planning and Services degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Personal Financial Advisors, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, and Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents. Related occupations employ approximately 852,670 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Business Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Business field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Apparel and Accessories Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to perform operations connected with the distribution and sale of apparel and accessories. Includes instruction in wholesaling and...
Tourism and Travel Services Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to provide direct retail services to hotel and motel clients and customers in a variety of settings. Includes...
Tourism Promotion and Operations
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing and sales operations connected with the promotion of tourism in public and private sector settings....
Vehicle and Parts Marketing Operations
A program that prepares individuals to perform operations connected with the distribution and sale of replacement parts and other end-use supplies in the...
Business and Personal Financial Services Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing and operational tasks associated with the provision of personal and financial services. Includes instruction in...
Special Products Marketing
A program that prepares individuals to perform marketing and sales operations connected with the promotion of special products, including floristry, food, and home...