by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 94 U.S. colleges awarded 4,834 degrees and certificates in Financial Planning & Services. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 45% of graduates. College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best Financial Planning & Services Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $61,016 one year after completing, rising to $89,140 after four years.
Studying Financial Planning & Services involves the study of Financial Planning And Services. 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, financial planning & services is a popular field of study, with 4,834 degrees awarded annually. 94 colleges award financial planning & services degrees, an average of 51 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,439.
By level, the 4,834 awards include 20 certificates, 10 associate degrees, 896 bachelor’s degrees, 2,190 master’s degrees and 15 doctorates.
Women earned 32% of financial planning & services degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,533 of 4,834). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,560) and Hispanic or Latino (224), and international students earned 111.
College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best Financial Planning & Services Schools ranking, including 33 for bachelor’s degrees and 10 for master’s degrees. It also ranks financial planning & services schools within 19 states. In all, 94 colleges offer financial planning & services programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Financial Planning & Services Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common financial planning & services credential is the master’s degree: 2,190 of the 4,834 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to financial planning & services call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Economics and Accounting, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a financial planning & services degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 896 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,190 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to financial planning & services, at 48.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.2% |
| Master’s degree | 5.6% |
| Some college courses | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Financial Planning & Services, with an average median salary of $77,144; the strongest outlook belongs to Business Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Financial Consultant, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Advisor and Fiscal Specialist.
The occupation related to financial planning & services with the most projected jobs is Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents, at 1,156,027.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | 1,156,027 | 9.2% |
| Credit Counselors | 382,273 | -3.6% |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 311,008 | 6.8% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
Financial Planning & Services graduates earn a median $61,016 one year after completing their program, $89,140 after four years and $89,830 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,016 |
| 4 years | $89,140 |
| 5 years | $89,830 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to financial planning & services is Personal Financial Advisors, with a median salary of $91,777.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisors | $91,777 |
| Credit Counselors | $86,279 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $49,944 |
Financial Planning & Services has 8 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 55,588 degrees a year; the largest are Finance, General (53,828), Banking and Financial Support Services (1,044) and Investments and Securities (352). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 53,828 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 1,044 |
| Investments and Securities | 352 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services, Other | 282 |
| Public Finance | 36 |
| International Finance | 34 |
| Credit Management | 6 |
| Financial Risk Management | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
