Rowan University announced a $10 million commitment from Edelman Financial Engines to establish a new School of Financial Planning to address a growing shortage of qualified financial planning professionals.
The school will be housed within the William G. Rohrer College of Business and will offer undergraduate and graduate programs, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, certificate programs, and executive education. The curriculum will emphasize preparation for the Certified Financial Planner® designation.
Ric Edelman will serve as the school’s founding head, bringing decades of experience in financial planning to help shape its curriculum and programming.
The initiative comes as the financial services industry faces a widening talent gap. According to industry data cited at the announcement, more certified financial planners are over age 70 than under age 30, and a significant portion of advisors are expected to retire within the next decade. At the same time, relatively few U.S. colleges currently offer financial planning degrees compared to general business programs.
The new school is expected to begin offering classes as early as fall 2026 and aims to develop professionals equipped with both technical expertise and communication skills. It will also build partnerships across the financial services industry to provide students with access to research, conferences, and networking opportunities.
Rowan University said the program aligns with its broader mission as a public research institution to expand access to education and workforce development, while Edelman Financial Engines highlighted the investment as part of its long-standing commitment to improving financial literacy and access to advice.
KEY QUOTES:
“Financial education is a logical and important part of our public service mission as a state research institution—to educate people and equip them to contribute to their communities and professions. Having Edelman Financial Engines as our lead partner and Ric Edelman heading the school allows us to develop a world-class program, enabling us to start delivering education far more quickly and efficiently than otherwise possible, thanks to their decades of experience and depth of expertise.”
Ali Houshmand, President, Rowan University
“Today, there are more certified financial planners over age 70 than under age 30. And 38 percent of financial advisors will themselves retire within the next decade. In fact, McKinsey research says we’ll soon have 100,000 fewer advisors than we need to meet the needs of American families. This adds up to a big challenge in the financial services industry’s ability to meet the needs of American families.”
“Financial planning is one of the most meaningful careers. And yet, too few college students are entering the field. Through the new Rowan University School of Financial Planning, we intend to set the benchmark for higher education and produce the industry’s largest pipeline of CFP®-ready professionals prepared to help families across the country.”
Ric Edelman, Founding Head, School Of Financial Planning, Rowan University
“Expanding access to high-quality financial advice starts with investing in the people who deliver it. We have championed greater access to financial education, literacy and guidance for four decades, and are committed to further advancing this mission by building a strong and diverse pipeline of talent prepared to guide investors at every stage of their financial journey.”
Ralph Haberli, CEO And President, Edelman Financial Engines
“We are forming a first-of-its-kind East Coast financial education ecosystem. The significance of starting this school with Ric and Jean Edelman as expert, passionate advocates for financial education can’t be overstated. For decades, the Edelmans have shared their experience—personal and professional—to encourage and help people improve their lives. They both bring great enthusiasm to this new endeavor, and we’re honored by their commitment, and that of their professional colleagues, which sets our new school apart nationally.”
Matthew Sarkees, Dean, Rohrer College Of Business, Rowan University
