75 leading schools for financial planning: Part 3

ByMaddy Perkins, Anna South, Samuel Steinberger, Michelle Zhou

August 8, 2016 3:23 PM

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 next 25 schools on the list, organized alphabetically (T-Z)

College recruiting

75 leading schools for financial planning: Part 1

The first installment of Financial Planning's listing of degree programs for prospective planners.

By Maddy Perkins

August 1
College recruiting

75 leading schools for financial planning: Part 2

The next installment of our annual listing, organized alphabetically.

By Maddy Perkins

August 3
Financial planning

75 leading planning schools: Where are they located?

Find out where our annual list of financial planning degree programs at colleges and universities fall on the map.

By Maddy Perkins

July 26
Wealth management

School's out: Making the case for a financial planning degree

Hiring is one of the toughest challenges firms face. Are college graduates from four-year programs the answer?

By Maddy Perkins

August 1
RIAs

60 Leading Schools for Financial Planning

For planners looking to recruit as well as those looking for suitable programs, this comprehensive list of planning programs at five dozen colleges and universities across the country includes costs, enrollment and student-to-faculty ratios.

November 23

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Lubbock, Texas
CFP Board-registered programs: Ten programs, ranging from undergraduate to Ph.D., including minors and dual graduate degrees in planning and business or law. An accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program allows students to earn both degrees in five years.
Enrollment: 270
Faculty: 12 tenure/tenure-track faculty, 1 professor of practice, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Tuition: $10,622 per year for Texas undergraduate residents, $22,862 per year for undergraduate nonresidents; $8,486 per year for Texas graduate residents, $16,646 per year for graduate nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: Graduates have experienced a job placement rate exceeding 90% over the past 10 years, often with multiple offers. The financial planning department hosts an annual Opportunity Days event at which planning firms from across the country visit the campus for three days to interview students for internships and jobs.

UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Akron, Ohio
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in finance with a financial planning track, dual-degree program with B.B.A. in financial planning and B.S. in accounting
Enrollment: 65 majors in financial planning programs
Faculty: 8 full-time, 4 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 21:1 in undergraduate programs
Tuition: Varies based on credit hours
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The financial planning degree program consists of seven courses and a capstone. A team representing the school won the Financial Planning Challenge at the 2014 annual FPA BE Conference in Seattle, and placed second overall at the 2015 conference in Boston.

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

Tuscaloosa, Ala.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in commerce and business administration with concentration in wealth management; B.S.B.A. with major in finance and concentration in personal financial management; M.S. in human environmental sciences with concentration in family financial planning and counseling
Enrollment: 80 undergraduate and 40 graduate students in financial planning programs
Faculty: 8 full-time, 6 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Lower-level classes capped at 20 to 35 students; upper level classes at 10 to 20 students
Tuition: $5,085 per year for Alabama residents, undergraduate and graduate; $12,975 for nonresidents, undergraduate and graduate. Special pricing of $339 per undergraduate credit hour and $360 per graduate credit hour for distance students. Full-time undergraduate students take a minimum of 12 credits per semester, while full-time graduate students take a minimum of 9 credits.
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The financial planning program in the College of Human Environmental Sciences has a career placement rate of over 90%, with many students receiving offers before graduation.

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Newark, Del.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial planning, M.S. in finance
Enrollment: 49
Faculty: 10 full-time, 2 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 34:1 in the Lerner College of Business. Average class size in financial planning core courses is 20.
Tuition: $11,230 per year for Delaware residents; $30,130 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: In process
Overview: The program is housed in the department of finance of the AACSB-accredited Lerner College of Business. A trust management minor will become available in 2017.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Houston
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in finance with personal financial planning track
Enrollment: 30
Faculty: 5 full-time, 5 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1
Tuition: $10,664 per year for Texas residents; $25,364 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Students are given the opportunity to volunteer to provide financial literacy on campus and in the greater Houston community. As one of the most diverse campuses in the country and a Hispanic-Serving Institution, students are frequently targeted by companies in the financial planning and advising industry, according to program director John C. Lopez.

the Illini Union at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with many people walking on the Quad and fall leaves on the trees

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Urbana, Ill.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in agricultural and consumer economics
Enrollment: 102
Faculty: 35 in the department of agricultural and consumer economics
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1 department-wide
Tuition: $13,666 per year
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: A student club provides professional interactions between students and professionals. Students attend a conference in Chicago each fall, a spring hiring conference on campus and specialty programs focusing on such topics as women in financial planning.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, DULUTH

Duluth, Minn.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in financial planning, financial planning minor
Enrollment: 18
Faculty: 4 full-time, 3 part-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: $457.54 per credit for Minnesota residents; $609,47 per credit for nonresidents. Tuition banding is available above 13 credits.
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The school boasts an almost 100% job placement rate, with most students receiving offers before finishing their capstones, according to program director Hugo Hietapelto. A team representing the program will compete for the first time at the FPA’s National Financial Planning Challenge.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

Columbia, Mo.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in personal financial planning, M.S. in financial planning (resident and online), resident Ph.D.
Enrollment: 114 undergraduate majors, 42 master’s students, 6 doctoral students
Faculty: 5 full-time, 3 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 23:1 for undergraduate majors
Tuition: $276.20 per credit hour for Missouri undergraduate residents, $545.80 per credit hour for undergraduate nonresidents; $352.60 per credit hour for Missouri graduate residents, $612.90 per credit hour for graduate nonresidents; $545 per credit hour online
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: Every spring semester, resident undergraduate students help complete tax returns for individuals and families on campus and in the community. After a selective and competitive process, peer mentors are given the opportunity to provide financial education and work one-on-one with clients in the school’s Office for Financial Success on campus, and in the community through the Family Impact Center.

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UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - ST. LOUIS

St. Louis
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S.B.A. in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 67
Faculty: 4 full-time, 3 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Average class size of 21
Tuition: $335.50 per credit hour for Missouri residents, $850.40 per credit hour for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: UM St. Louis’ business school boasts the largest internship program in the region, according to financial planning and counselling program director Thomas Eyssell. Each year the program sends a team of finance students to the Industry Issues Competition held by the Society of Financial Services Professionals.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - LINCOLN

Lincoln, Neb.
CFP Board-registered programs: Online M.S. in child, youth and family studies with a specialization in family financial planning
Enrollment: 25
Faculty: 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: $545 per credit hour
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The online program is taught through a consortium of Great Plains universities.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA

Jacksonville, Fla.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in financial services
Enrollment: Approximately 85
Faculty: 5 full-time/tenure track, 4 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Tuition: For the 2015-2016 academic year: $6,394 per semester for Florida residents; $20,112 per semester for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program hosts a Financial Services Career Day each fall semester. Students are actively involved with the financial planning community, according to professor Oliver Schnusenberg. Typically, several students are given the opportunity to attend the FPA-BE conference.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

Denton, Texas
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in risk insurance and financial services, financial planning track
Enrollment: Approximately 15 to 20 each year
Faculty: 2 full-time, 2 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: Approximately 20:1
Tuition: $5,260 for 15 credit hours for Texas residents; $11,380 for 15 credit hours for nonresidents; $6,010 for 15 credit hours for Oklahoma residents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The program has recently partnered with the local FPA chapter and has forged strong ties with TD Ameritrade, receiving the $50,000 TD Ameritrade NextGen grant in 2015. A partnership with the university’s Student Money Management Center provides students with internship and other experiential learning opportunities.

UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD

San Antonio
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in finance with a financial planning track
Enrollment: 80
Faculty: 3 full-time, 3 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Tuition: $27,000 per year
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Students are drawn to the program’s small class sizes and state-of-the-art finance lab, according to program director Alicia Rodriguez de Rubio. Additionally, students are actively involved in the university’s business club, and are encouraged to participate in an annual FPA Symposium held on campus.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

Salt Lake City
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in consumer and community studies, emphasis in financial planning
Enrollment: Approximately 70
Faculty: 8
Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
Tuition: For-credit tuition for 18 credits (resident, undergraduate and upper-division) is between $6,500 and $7,200 based on a three- or four-semester program of study.
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: This is the only CFB Board-certified program in the Salt Lake Valley. The university is building a certificate program to meet increased interest in the financial planning profession in the region.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON

Madison, Wis.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. in finance with a wealth management and financial planning track through the Wisconsin School of Business
Enrollment: Approximately 60
Faculty: 126 full-time, approximately 83 lecturers in the Wisconsin School of Business
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Tuition: $11,416 per year for Wisconsin residents; $30,666 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Students participate in a sequence of courses that prepares them to take the CFP exam during their senior year of study.

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Orem, Utah
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 354
Faculty: 7 full-time, 1 executive-in-residence
Student-to-faculty ratio: N/A
Tuition: $5,530 per year for Utah residents; $15,690 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program is the largest undergraduate financial planning program in the country, according to associate professor Luke Dean. The curriculum includes training in industry technology and software, financial counseling and professional sales. Students have the opportunity to take supplementary coursework in accounting, sales and entrepreneurship and to work toward obtaining their CFA certification.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

Richmond, Va.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with a concentration in financial planning
Enrollment: 25
Faculty: 6 full-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1 for undergraduates
Tuition: $12,772 per year for Virginia residents; $30,838 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: A new peer-to-peer financial education and counseling program called the Money Spot at VCU will officially launch in fall 2016, providing a paid internship opportunity for many students, according to program director John McFarland. Trained student money coaches will help other students better understand subjects such as credit- and student-loan management, as well as budgeting.

VIRGINIA TECH

Blacksburg, Va.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with a concentration in financial planning
Enrollment: 200
Faculty: 4 full-time, 1 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 45:1
Tuition: $12,850 per year for Virginia residents; $29,975 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: Engagement with professional organizations and firms outside the classroom can lead students to travel to conferences and other off-campus settings for career development, according to program director Ruth Lytton.

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Kalamazoo, Mich.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.B.A. with a major in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 25 enrolled in major group
Faculty: 15 full-time, 10 part-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Tuition: Undergraduate flat rate (12 to 15 credits) tuition of $5,053 for lower level courses and $6,228 for upper level courses for Michigan residents; undergraduate flat rate (12 to 15 credits) tuition of $12,395 for lower level courses and $14,448 for upper level courses for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: In one course requirement, students manage a portfolio of $1 million under the direction of an experienced money manager. The Financial Services Club organizes trips to financial institutions and companies in Chicago, and invites speakers from various sectors of the industry.

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Bowling Green, Ky.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with financial planning track
Enrollment: Estimated 120 students in financial planning programs
Faculty: 7 full-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Tuition: $9,912 per year for Kentucky residents; $24,792 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: The program is home to the WKU Center for Financial Success, which actively engages students in pro-bono consulting work with peers and refugee populations.

WIDENER UNIVERSITY

Chester, Pa.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.A. in economics with financial planning track, B.S. in finance with financial planning track, master’s in taxation and financial planning
Enrollment: 75
Faculty: 5 full-time, 10 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Tuition: $42,034 per year
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Both the B.A. in economics and the B.S. in finance qualifies students to sit for the CFP exam at the end of the program. Finance majors can gain real world experience by joining the on-campus Money Club and by running the student-managed investment fund. Widener has successfully placed 100% of its finance graduates in jobs after graduation.

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

Wayne, N.J.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial planning
Enrollment: 90
Faculty: 2 full-time, 4 adjunct
Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
Tuition: $12,573 per year for New Jersey residents; $20,466 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: In just five years of existence, the program has landed in the top three in several competitions, including twice at the FPA’s National Financial Planning Challenge. Dual degrees are available; one of the fastest growing niches at the school is a dual degree in financial planning and accounting.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

Winston-Salem, N.C.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in finance with a focus in personal financial planning
Enrollment: 20 majors
Faculty: 3 full-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: Approximately 10-12:1
Tuition: $8,026.16 per year for North Carolina residents; $18,137.16 per year for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: Students are given the opportunity to prepare comprehensive financial plans using professional planning software (currently MoneyGuidePro). Students participate in weekly Investment Club meetings, where they are responsible for managing the Ram Asset Management Fund, the university’s student-managed fund.

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Rock Hill, S.C.
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S.B.A. in finance with a financial planning track
Enrollment: 40
Faculty: 2 full-time; 1 part-time
Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
Tuition: $605 per credit hour for South Carolina residents; $1,170 per credit hour for nonresidents
FPA Student Chapter: Yes
Overview: Students have access to a state-of-the-art trading lab with Bloomberg terminals.

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

Dayton, Ohio
CFP Board-registered programs: B.S. in financial services
Enrollment: 35
Faculty: 6
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1 for core courses
Tuition: $4,365 per semester
FPA Student Chapter: None
Overview: The FPA of Southwestern Ohio holds its meetings in conjunction with the Raj Soin College of Business Finance Club. The Club students take two trips to Chicago and New York each year. The program has a CFP exam pass rate of 66.67%, according to department chairwoman Marlena Akhbari.