by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying 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. Continue reading for the key facts every financial planning & services student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering financial planning & services programs.
Across the country, financial planning & services is a popular field of study, with 5,773 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Financial Planning & Services Schools ranking analyzes these 84 schools to determine the best overall colleges for financial planning & services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of financial planning & services programs later in this article.
Studies in Financial Planning & Services emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations financial planning & services graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a financial planning & services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a financial planning & services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several financial planning & services degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 14 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 764 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,222 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
People currently working in careers related to financial planning & services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in financial planning & services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in financial planning & services opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to financial planning & services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to financial planning & services.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of financial planning & services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,617 |
| 4 years | $75,528 |
| 5 years | $88,287 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for financial planning & services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers financial planning & services grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 84 different financial planning & services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased financial planning & services school rankings to help you.
Those considering financial planning & services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 49,828 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 992 |
| Investments and Securities | 414 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services, Other | 363 |
| International Finance | 124 |
| Public Finance | 63 |
| Credit Management | 4 |
| Financial Risk Management | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
