Inside 25 Great Financial Planning Schools
November 6, 2012 4:59 PM
25 Great Financial Planning Schools
Four years after the credit crisis threatened to topple the entire American economy, regulatory authorities like the SEC and FINRA have limited the freedom of numerous financial institutions in terms of capital requirements and how they distribute that capital. As a result, preservation of personal finance is as important as it ever has been, and yet the financial planning profession does not receive as much attention as it probably should.
In the November issue cover story , FP senior editor Ann Marsh takes a look at 25 of the nations top financial planning schools where planners are educated and prepared to serve a growing clientele.
Here is a list of the 25 schools mentioned in the cover story.
In the November issue cover story , FP senior editor Ann Marsh takes a look at 25 of the nations top financial planning schools where planners are educated and prepared to serve a growing clientele.
Here is a list of the 25 schools mentioned in the cover story.
AMERICAN COLLEGE
Bryn Mawr, Pa.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): Undergraduate certificate, master's
Enrollment: 30,000 (mostly online) in all finance courses
Faculty:19 full-time, 10 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Not avail.
Tuition: $4,645
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): Undergraduate certificate, master's
Enrollment: 30,000 (mostly online) in all finance courses
Faculty:19 full-time, 10 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Not avail.
Tuition: $4,645
FPA student chapter: No
CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): certificate, MBA
Enrollment:170 online, 18 in person
Faculty: 4 full-time, 12 expert, 14 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: For MBA, $745 per credit unit (the MBA consists of 48 credit units, for a total cost of $35,760); for certificate, $550 per credit unit (the certificate consists of 24 credit units, for a total cost of $13,200).
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): certificate, MBA
Enrollment:170 online, 18 in person
Faculty: 4 full-time, 12 expert, 14 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: For MBA, $745 per credit unit (the MBA consists of 48 credit units, for a total cost of $35,760); for certificate, $550 per credit unit (the certificate consists of 24 credit units, for a total cost of $13,200).
FPA student chapter: No
COLLEGE FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING
Greenwood Village, Colo.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): M.S. financial planning, personal financial planning certificate, CFP certification program
Enrollment:30,000 in all programs, including 4,200 in the CFP program and 130 in the master's in financial planning program
Faculty: 15 full-time, 20 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: For master's program, 9:1; varies for online courses
Tuition: For M.S. in financial planning, $380 per 1-hour credit; for personal financial planning certificate, $1,140 per 3-hour credit; for CFP certification program, $4,485.
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): M.S. financial planning, personal financial planning certificate, CFP certification program
Enrollment:30,000 in all programs, including 4,200 in the CFP program and 130 in the master's in financial planning program
Faculty: 15 full-time, 20 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: For master's program, 9:1; varies for online courses
Tuition: For M.S. in financial planning, $380 per 1-hour credit; for personal financial planning certificate, $1,140 per 3-hour credit; for CFP certification program, $4,485.
FPA student chapter: No
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Manhattan, Kan.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): Undergraduate, master's, Ph.D. and graduate certificate
Enrollment: 40 undergrads, 40 certificate, 40 master's, 33 Ph.D.s.
Faculty: 5 full-time, 5 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: For an undergraduate (3-credit) course, $805 for a Kansas resident, $2,015 for out-of-state student; for an M.S. course, $1,455; for a Ph.D. course, $1,530; for a graduate certificate, $1,455 per course or $5,828 up front for the entire program.
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): Undergraduate, master's, Ph.D. and graduate certificate
Enrollment: 40 undergrads, 40 certificate, 40 master's, 33 Ph.D.s.
Faculty: 5 full-time, 5 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: For an undergraduate (3-credit) course, $805 for a Kansas resident, $2,015 for out-of-state student; for an M.S. course, $1,455; for a Ph.D. course, $1,530; for a graduate certificate, $1,455 per course or $5,828 up front for the entire program.
FPA student chapter: Yes
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Columbia, Mo.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 2 online (M.S. and certificate, through Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance membership); 7 on site (B.S. in human environmental sciences with an emphasis in personal financial planning, M.S. or Ph.D. in personal financial planning, post-baccalaureate certificate; PFP minor with an agricultural economics B.S., PFP minor with a finance B.S. or B.A, and PFP M.S. with a law degree)
Enrollment: 191
Faculty: 3 full-time, 2 non-tenure track, 3 extension, 1 tenure track opening, 3 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 48:1 tenure-track faculty, 33:1 including non- regular faculty
Tuition: For an online course, $485 per graduate credit hour (a certificate requires 18 hours and an M.S. requires 42 hours). For classroom courses, Missouri residents seeking an M.S. pay $269.40 per credit hour with $411.34 in other fees; nonresidents seeking an M.S. pay $470.30 per credit hour with $411.34 in fees; for a resident B.S. (14hours per semester) $9,272; for a nonresident B.S., $22,440.
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 2 online (M.S. and certificate, through Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance membership); 7 on site (B.S. in human environmental sciences with an emphasis in personal financial planning, M.S. or Ph.D. in personal financial planning, post-baccalaureate certificate; PFP minor with an agricultural economics B.S., PFP minor with a finance B.S. or B.A, and PFP M.S. with a law degree)
Enrollment: 191
Faculty: 3 full-time, 2 non-tenure track, 3 extension, 1 tenure track opening, 3 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 48:1 tenure-track faculty, 33:1 including non- regular faculty
Tuition: For an online course, $485 per graduate credit hour (a certificate requires 18 hours and an M.S. requires 42 hours). For classroom courses, Missouri residents seeking an M.S. pay $269.40 per credit hour with $411.34 in other fees; nonresidents seeking an M.S. pay $470.30 per credit hour with $411.34 in fees; for a resident B.S. (14hours per semester) $9,272; for a nonresident B.S., $22,440.
FPA student chapter: Yes
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
San Diego, CA.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in financial services with a certificate in personal financial planning; M.S. in financial and tax planning, executive financial planning advanced certificate
Enrollment: 115 in bachelor's, 16 in master's, 22 in executive
Faculty:15 for bachelor's and master's programs; 5 for executive
Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
Tuition: For a California resident seeking a bachelor's degree, $3,538 per semester; nonresident bachelor's, $9,118 per semester. For a California resident master's, $3,952 to $7,567 per semester (depending on course load); nonresident master's, $6,184 to $12,031 per semester. For an executive certificate, $7,416 for the complete program.
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in financial services with a certificate in personal financial planning; M.S. in financial and tax planning, executive financial planning advanced certificate
Enrollment: 115 in bachelor's, 16 in master's, 22 in executive
Faculty:15 for bachelor's and master's programs; 5 for executive
Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
Tuition: For a California resident seeking a bachelor's degree, $3,538 per semester; nonresident bachelor's, $9,118 per semester. For a California resident master's, $3,952 to $7,567 per semester (depending on course load); nonresident master's, $6,184 to $12,031 per semester. For an executive certificate, $7,416 for the complete program.
FPA student chapter: Yes
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Lubbock, TX
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 11, ranging from undergraduate to Ph.D., including minors and dual graduate degrees in financial planning and business or law, and one certificate
Enrollment: 100 PFP undergraduate majors, 60 undergraduate minors (studies in personal finance), 90 PFP master's students (including dual-degree law, dual-degree MBA, and dual-degree finance majors), and 33 PFP Ph.D. students
Faculty:12 full-time, 2 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:3 for the PFP major courses
Tuition: Texas-resident undergraduates (12 hours) $3,760 per semester, out-of-state undergraduates $4,471 per semester, Texas-resident graduate students (12 hours) $4,359 per semester, out-of-state graduate students $8,570 per semester.
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 11, ranging from undergraduate to Ph.D., including minors and dual graduate degrees in financial planning and business or law, and one certificate
Enrollment: 100 PFP undergraduate majors, 60 undergraduate minors (studies in personal finance), 90 PFP master's students (including dual-degree law, dual-degree MBA, and dual-degree finance majors), and 33 PFP Ph.D. students
Faculty:12 full-time, 2 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:3 for the PFP major courses
Tuition: Texas-resident undergraduates (12 hours) $3,760 per semester, out-of-state undergraduates $4,471 per semester, Texas-resident graduate students (12 hours) $4,359 per semester, out-of-state graduate students $8,570 per semester.
FPA student chapter: No
WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
Wayne, NJ
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in financial planning and an accelerated certificate program
Enrollment: 50 full-time majors, 32 full-time minors; 5 in the certificate program
Faculty: 2 full-time, 9 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 25:1
Tuition: For a New Jersey resident $5,847 per year; for an out-of-state resident $9,547
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in financial planning and an accelerated certificate program
Enrollment: 50 full-time majors, 32 full-time minors; 5 in the certificate program
Faculty: 2 full-time, 9 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 25:1
Tuition: For a New Jersey resident $5,847 per year; for an out-of-state resident $9,547
FPA student chapter: Yes
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Waco, Texas
CFP Board-registered programs: Bachelor of business administration financial planning major
Enrollment: 20
Faculty:2
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $30,600 a year
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs: Bachelor of business administration financial planning major
Enrollment: 20
Faculty:2
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $30,600 a year
FPA student chapter: No
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Northridge, Calif.
CFP Board-registered programs:B.S. in finance with a sequence in personal financial planning and B.S. in business administration with an option in insurance and financial services and a sequence in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 40
Faculty:4 full-time, 2 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
Tuition: For California residents $2,247, for out-of-state residents $4,479.
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs:B.S. in finance with a sequence in personal financial planning and B.S. in business administration with an option in insurance and financial services and a sequence in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 40
Faculty:4 full-time, 2 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
Tuition: For California residents $2,247, for out-of-state residents $4,479.
FPA student chapter: No
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Clemson, S.C.
CFP Board-registered programs:B.S. in financial management with a concentration in financial planning
Enrollment:About 20
Faculty: 5 full-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
Tuition: For South Carolina residents $21,726, for out-of-state residents $38,370.
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs:B.S. in financial management with a concentration in financial planning
Enrollment:About 20
Faculty: 5 full-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
Tuition: For South Carolina residents $21,726, for out-of-state residents $38,370.
FPA student chapter: No
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Athens, Ga.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. degree 75 students, master's degree 10 students, Ph.D. 5 students. An online M.S. degree will be offered in 2013.
Faculty: 4 full time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 for undergraduate; 3:1 for graduate
Tuition: Undergraduate $9,842 per academic year, full-time; graduate $3,795 per semester, full-time.
FPA student chapter: Student Financial Planning Association
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. degree 75 students, master's degree 10 students, Ph.D. 5 students. An online M.S. degree will be offered in 2013.
Faculty: 4 full time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 for undergraduate; 3:1 for graduate
Tuition: Undergraduate $9,842 per academic year, full-time; graduate $3,795 per semester, full-time.
FPA student chapter: Student Financial Planning Association
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Champaign, Ill.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 1 undergraduate
Enrollment: 76
Faculty: 30 full-time (in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1 in the classroom
Tuition: For Illinois residents $5,818 per semester, $12,889 per semester for nonresidents
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 1 undergraduate
Enrollment: 76
Faculty: 30 full-time (in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1 in the classroom
Tuition: For Illinois residents $5,818 per semester, $12,889 per semester for nonresidents
FPA student chapter: Yes
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Baton Rouge, La.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in finance with financial planning specialization is up and running; the school has also registered an M.S. in finance with financial planning specialization and is applying for CFP Board registration of an MBA program.
Enrollment:25
Faculty:30
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Tuition: For Louisiana residents $3,498 per semester, $11,136 per semester for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in finance with financial planning specialization is up and running; the school has also registered an M.S. in finance with financial planning specialization and is applying for CFP Board registration of an MBA program.
Enrollment:25
Faculty:30
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Tuition: For Louisiana residents $3,498 per semester, $11,136 per semester for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: No
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
West Lafayette, Ind.
CFP Board-registered programs: Undergraduate and Ph.D. programs, online program coming soon
Enrollment: More than 300
Faculty:About 15 full-time and 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: For Indiana residents, $20,000 a year, including room and board, food and other expenses; $40,000 a year for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs: Undergraduate and Ph.D. programs, online program coming soon
Enrollment: More than 300
Faculty:About 15 full-time and 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: For Indiana residents, $20,000 a year, including room and board, food and other expenses; $40,000 a year for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: No
UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY
Orem, Utah
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in financial planning
Enrollment:68
Faculty:2 full-time, 6 from other departments, 2 to 3 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 (including full-time and adjuncts)
Tuition: For Utah residents $2,400 per semester, $6,800 for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. in financial planning
Enrollment:68
Faculty:2 full-time, 6 from other departments, 2 to 3 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 (including full-time and adjuncts)
Tuition: For Utah residents $2,400 per semester, $6,800 for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: Yes
VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY
Blacksburg, Va.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. applied economic management, B.S. finance
Enrollment: 155 combined
Faculty:6 full-time, 2 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: For Virginia residents $4,593 per semester, $11,787 per semester for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): B.S. applied economic management, B.S. finance
Enrollment: 155 combined
Faculty:6 full-time, 2 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: For Virginia residents $4,593 per semester, $11,787 per semester for nonresidents.
FPA student chapter: Yes
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Boston, MA
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 2 certificate programs, 1 online and 1 in person.
Enrollment: 1,250 online, 155 in person
Faculty:23 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Tuition: $5,295 for an online accelerated program, $3,495 for online self-pace and $7,360 for a classroom program that includes a review/exam preparation course.
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 2 certificate programs, 1 online and 1 in person.
Enrollment: 1,250 online, 155 in person
Faculty:23 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Tuition: $5,295 for an online accelerated program, $3,495 for online self-pace and $7,360 for a classroom program that includes a review/exam preparation course.
FPA student chapter: Yes
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
Chicago, IL
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 9-credit certificate program offered both online and in person
Enrollment: 150 to 200
Faculty:13 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 at the downtown campus, 6:1 at the suburban campus
Tuition: $5,400
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 9-credit certificate program offered both online and in person
Enrollment: 150 to 200
Faculty:13 adjuncts
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 at the downtown campus, 6:1 at the suburban campus
Tuition: $5,400
FPA student chapter: No
FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY
Teaneck, N.J.
CFP Board-registered programs: Financial planning certificate course
Enrollment: More than 200 a year
Faculty: About 100 part-time adjuncts in multiple locations
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1 in the classroom
Tuition: $5,995
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs: Financial planning certificate course
Enrollment: More than 200 a year
Faculty: About 100 part-time adjuncts in multiple locations
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1 in the classroom
Tuition: $5,995
FPA student chapter: No
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Gainesville, Fla.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 3 in total: online certificate program, in-class certificate aimed at students also completing an undergraduate degree and in-class certificate for master's or doctoral students
Enrollment: 15 undergraduate, 5 graduate
Faculty: 2 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
Tuition: Undergraduate certificate is $3,000, graduate-level certificate and online certificate are both $9,750
FPA student chapter: Forming
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 3 in total: online certificate program, in-class certificate aimed at students also completing an undergraduate degree and in-class certificate for master's or doctoral students
Enrollment: 15 undergraduate, 5 graduate
Faculty: 2 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
Tuition: Undergraduate certificate is $3,000, graduate-level certificate and online certificate are both $9,750
FPA student chapter: Forming
KAPLAN UNIVERSITY
Online with classrooms in New York and San Francisco, as well as several private corporate programs
CFP Board-registered programs: 3 in total: Self-paced and accelerated online programs, plus in-person classes at 12 U.S. universities
Enrollment: Not available
Faculty:7 full-time, 20 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Not available
Tuition: Accelerated virtual or traditional classroom $5,599, including a review course; self-study $4,043.
FPA student chapter: Kaplan is an institutional member of the FPA
CFP Board-registered programs: 3 in total: Self-paced and accelerated online programs, plus in-person classes at 12 U.S. universities
Enrollment: Not available
Faculty:7 full-time, 20 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Not available
Tuition: Accelerated virtual or traditional classroom $5,599, including a review course; self-study $4,043.
FPA student chapter: Kaplan is an institutional member of the FPA
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
New York, NY
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 1 certificate
Enrollment: 729 combined
Faculty:8 (all adjuncts)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 in classroom
Tuition: $5,540 for traditional classroom program, $5,650-$7,500 for a "live" online course, $2,495-$4,295 for self-paced online
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 1 certificate
Enrollment: 729 combined
Faculty:8 (all adjuncts)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 in classroom
Tuition: $5,540 for traditional classroom program, $5,650-$7,500 for a "live" online course, $2,495-$4,295 for self-paced online
FPA student chapter: No
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Chicago and Evanston, Ill.
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 2 online and 2 classroom certificate programs
Enrollment: Almost 240 online, 90 classroom
Faculty: 20 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1 overall
Tuition: $5,545-$6,050 for classroom program, $5,600-$7,500 for online live, $2,495-$4,295 for self-paced online program
FPA student chapter: No
CFP Board-registered programs (online and in person): 2 online and 2 classroom certificate programs
Enrollment: Almost 240 online, 90 classroom
Faculty: 20 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1 overall
Tuition: $5,545-$6,050 for classroom program, $5,600-$7,500 for online live, $2,495-$4,295 for self-paced online program
FPA student chapter: No
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
CFP Board-registered programs: traditional evening/online program and accelerated hybrid
Enrollment: 250 to 300
Faculty:20 adjunct instructors
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1 for traditional evening/online, 15:1 for accelerated hybrid
Tuition: $4,287 to $4,750 for certificates, depending on options; $1,000 for CFP exam review
FPA student chapter: Yes
CFP Board-registered programs: traditional evening/online program and accelerated hybrid
Enrollment: 250 to 300
Faculty:20 adjunct instructors
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1 for traditional evening/online, 15:1 for accelerated hybrid
Tuition: $4,287 to $4,750 for certificates, depending on options; $1,000 for CFP exam review
FPA student chapter: Yes
