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College recruiting

75 leading schools for financial planning: Part 1

ByMaddy Perkins, Anna South, Samuel Steinberger, Michelle Zhou
August 1, 2016 4:05 PM
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Are you looking to hire new talent? Or are you a young person looking to start a career in financial planning? Look no further. FP's expanded list of financial planning programs zeroes in on CFP Board-registered degree-granting colleges and universities this year. Click through to view the first 25 schools on the list, organized alphabetically (A-L).

ALFRED STATE COLLEGE

Alfred, N.Y.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in financial planning
Enrollment: 35
Faculty: 3
Student-to-faculty ratio: Approximately 15:1
Tuition: $6,470 per year for New York residents; $16,320 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: In process
Overview: Students take nine financial planning classes in addition to a semester-long internship with a planning firm. Every student who completed an internship last year was offered a position at the firm he or she interned with, according to assistant professor Scott DuMond. At the end of the program, all graduating students will have met the requirements to sit for the CFP test.

ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY

San Angelo
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in finance with concentration in personal financial planning
Enrollment: Approximately 30
Faculty: 3 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Approximately 12-15 students per class
Tuition: Determined by number of courses taken: approximately $1,200 per course for Texas residents; approximately $2,300 per course for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Angelo State University offers a traditional on-campus, four-year bachelor’s degree with a major in finance.

BERKELEY COLLEGE

New York
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in financial services
Enrollment: 106
Faculty: 2 full-time, 2 part-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $11,550 per semester. Most students qualify for scholarship assistance.
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The program is closely affiliated with the FPA New York chapter. FPA members frequently serve as guest speakers in the classroom and as members of the program’s Financial Services Advisory Board.

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY

Waltham, Mass.
CFP Board-registered programs: M.S. in financial planning, M.S. in taxation
Enrollment: 225
Faculty: 6 full-time, 15 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: N/A
Tuition: $4,225 per three-credit course
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: All courses are offered on a synchronous hybrid basis where courses are offered live on campus or simultaneously over the internet.

BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

Bowling Green, Ohio
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S.B.A. in finance with concentration in financial planning
Enrollment: 19,201 universitywide
Faculty: 800 universitywide
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1 university-wide
Tuition: $4,548 per semester for Ohio residents; $8,316 for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The financial planning concentration requires eight courses in additional to the general B.S.B.A. requirements.

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

Thousand Oaks, Calif.
CFP Board-registered programs: M.B.A. in financial planning
Enrollment: 95
Faculty: 3.5 full-time, 12 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
Tuition: $2,400 per three-credit course
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Courses are available both online and on site. Students can choose between two courses of study: One focuses on business administration and financial planning and the other is an interdisciplinary approach including psychology and communications courses tailored for the financial services industry.
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

Northridge, Calif.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with a financial planning option
Enrollment: 50
Faculty: 6 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: $3,291 per semester for California residents; $6,639 for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program partners with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program on campus to offer planning advice and assist with tax preparation for low-income families and individuals, according to program director Kristine Beck.

CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Clarion, Pa.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S.B.A. in finance with personal financial planning track
Enrollment: 29
Faculty: 2
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: $3,530 per semester
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The personal financial planning program is a major within the traditional four-year undergraduate B.S.B.A. degree. The major area of study includes 24 credit hours of specific junior- and senior-level major-specific classes.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY

Atlanta
CFP Board-registered programs: B.A. in finance and financial planning, financial planning minor
Enrollment: Less than 100
Faculty: 5
Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
Tuition: $580 per credit hour
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: A historically black university, CAU is one of three schools within the Atlanta University Center along with Spelman College and Morehouse College. Students can take classes on any campus.
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CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Clemson, S.C.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial management with a concentration in financial planning
Enrollment: 60
Faculty: 11 full-time, 4 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
Tuition: $6,941 per semester for South Carolina residents; $16,400 per semester for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: In process
Overview: The program is an extension of the university’s broader financial management degree. All financial planning students complete the requirements for a minor in accounting as well, according to lecturer Josh Harris.
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COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE

Albany, N.Y.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial planning, B.S.B.A. with a concentration in financial planning, M.B.A in financial planning
Enrollment: 14
Faculty: 3 full-time, 4 adjunct in financial planning curriculum; 18 full-time, 15 adjunct in business school
Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 collegewide
Tuition: $28,820 per year for undergraduates; $776 per graduate credit
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: Beyond the foundational knowledge of the financial planning program, students pursuing financial planning majors are strongly encouraged to develop a focus in accounting and taxation, and/or finance and marketing, according to Dean Suzanne Wilhelm.

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

Fort Collins, Colo.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S.B.A., financial planning concentration
Enrollment: 48
Faculty: 10 full-time, 2 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 26:1
Tuition: $11,080 per year for Colorado residents; $28,374 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Teams of students are given the opportunity to take advantage of “mentor calls,” which entail research and calling volunteer planners from the Colorado FPA, according to program director John Hopkins.

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

Omaha, Neb.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S.B.A. with a concentration in financial planning, M.B.A. with an emphasis in professional financial planning
Enrollment: Approximately 1,000 in the Heider College of Business
Faculty: 8 full-time, 4 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: Varies by program and delivery
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: Creighton introduced the Financial Psychology Institute this year. Coordination with the financial planning graduate programs will eventually allow for the development of a new online master’s program where students can receive a degree in financial planning with an emphasis in psychology and behavioral finance, according to program director Edward Horwitz.

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY

Grand Rapids, Mich.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in finance with a specialty in financial planning
Enrollment: 24
Faculty: 2 full-time on campus, 1 full-time online, 4 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Tuition: $9,960 per semester for 15 credit hours
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Many courses are taught by financial planning experts in the field. The Morningstar Direct database is an integral part of the program; students receive certification from Morningstar upon completion of training to use the database and cloud.

EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Charleston, Ill.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with financial planning concentration
Enrollment: 25
Faculty: 6
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: $285 per credit hour, $855 for each three-credit-hour course
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The concentration requires students to take a sequence of six financial planning classes that prepare them to sit for the CFP exam.

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY

Framingham, Mass.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with financial planning concentration
Enrollment: 21
Faculty: 15 full-time, 9 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Tuition: $4,350 per term for Massachusetts residents; $7,390 per term for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: In process
Overview: Students in the program are offered opportunities to meet working advisers and attend planning conferences.

FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY

Columbus, Ohio
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial planning
Enrollment: N/A
Faculty: N/A
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $484 per credit hour
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, according to program head Martina Peng.

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY

Boiling Springs, N.C.
CFP Board-registered programs: Master’s in wealth and trust management
Enrollment: 20
Faculty: 11
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Tuition: $664 per credit hour
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The master’s of wealth and trust management program covers topics that include investment analysis, portfolio management, financial planning, retirement planning and estate planning.

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY

San Francisco
CFP Board-registered programs: M.S. in financial planning, M.S. in financial planning and taxation
Enrollment: 72
Faculty: 12
Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
Tuition: $2,805 per three-unit class. A 10% tuition grant for FPA members can reduce costs to $2,525 per three-unit class.
FPA Student Chapter: No, though students are actively involved in the FPA of San Francisco
Overview: The first university to offer a Master of Science in financial planning also boasts a master’s in financial planning and taxation. This second degree program is taught in conjunction with Golden State University’s Braden School of Taxation, the largest tax school in the country, according to program director David Yeske, who is also principal at Yeske Buie.

GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY

Lenexa, Kan.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in financial planning
Enrollment: 17
Faculty: 4 full-time faculty plus additional professors who teach core courses
Student-to-faculty ratio: 4.25:1
Tuition: $265 per credit hour. Special rates available for active military and veterans. Students need 121 credit hours to graduate.
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Students complete individual and group work and participate in the presentation of a comprehensive financial plan to the class.
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ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Normal, Ill.
CFP Board-registered programs: Minor in financial planning
Enrollment: 65
Faculty: 10 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
Tuition: $14,062 in tuition and fees per year for Illinois residents; $25,170 in tuition and fees for nonresidents. Some students located in neighboring states and some exceptional academic talents are eligible for in-state tuition.
FPA Student Chapter: Yes, beginning in the fall of 2016
Overview: Illinois State University’s College of Business recently implemented an institute for financial planning and analysis. The mission of the institute is to promote and cultivate financial advising experiences for students and to reach out to business partners working in the industry. Another objective of the institute is to create a roundtable of professionals to help build programs and create opportunities for students, according to director Edgar Norton.

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Terre Haute, Ind.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with a concentration in financial planning
Enrollment: 20
Faculty: 7 full-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 23:1 within the Scott College of Business
Tuition: $4,190 per semester for Indiana residents; $5,238 per semester for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program is housed within the AACSB-accredited Scott College of Business. Financial planning students may add a minor in accounting or insurance. The student FPA chapter sponsors industry speakers and provides leadership and community service opportunities.

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Ames, Iowa
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial counseling and planning; 36 credit-hour entirely online/distance M.S. in family financial planning offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GP IDEA)
Enrollment: 40 for undergraduate degree, 100 for master’s
Faculty: 7 for undergraduate courses, 25 for online master’s
Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 for undergraduate degree, 4:1 for master’s
Tuition: $7,868 per year for undergraduate Iowa residents; $21,483 for undergraduate nonresidents; $500 per credit hour for online master’s
FPA Student Chapter: Yes (on-campus only)
Overview: A financial counseling clinic on campus serves as a teaching and research laboratory for students. Core courses in financial planning for the undergraduate degree are taught alongside courses in financial counseling, family systems, consumer issues and human development.
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KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Manhattan, Kan.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 57 undergraduate students, 44 master’s students, 45 Ph.D. students
Faculty: 8 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1 for undergraduates, 11:1 for master’s students, 7:1 for Ph.D. program
Tuition: $311.65 per credit hour for Kansas residents, $780 per credit hour for nonresidents; $530 per credit hour for master’s students; $566.10 per credit hour for Ph.D. candidates
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program features coursework in family studies and human relationships, gender roles, financial counseling and financial therapy. The school developed the nation’s first financial therapy certificate program, and students can gain experience in a financial therapy clinic, as well as apply to be a peer financial counselor in the school’s Powercat Financial Counseling program.
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LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Baton Rouge, La.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial counseling and planning
Enrollment: 55
Faculty: N/A
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1 university-wide; 63% of financial planning courses have fewer than 35 students
Tuition: $9,960 per year for Louisiana residents; $26,820 per year for nonresidents; $27,000 for international students
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: LSU financial planning students received numerous national and local scholarships that totaled over $50,000 during the 2015-16 school year, according to program director Fran Lawrence.
Maddy Perkins
Managing Editor, Editorial Operations, Arizent
Anna South
Samuel Steinberger
Editorial Intern, SourceMedia
Michelle Zhou
Editorial Intern, SourceMedia
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