Rowan University today announced a landmark $10 million commitment by Edelman Financial Engines (EFE) to establish the School of Financial Planning. Designed to address the nation’s increasing shortage of qualified financial planning professionals, the new school will be distinguished by curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels, with an emphasis on preparing students to attain the Certified Financial Planner® professional designation. Rohrer College of Business Executive-in-Residence and University Distinguished Lecturer Ric Edelman will serve as founding head of the school.
With rigorous academic and industry-standard CFP® training, the School of Financial Planning will be created within William G. Rohrer College of Business as part of the accredited business education program. The school is developing curricula to offer a bachelor’s degree major and minor, as well as a master’s degree, certificate programs and executive education programs.
“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,” Rowan University President Ali Houshmand said. “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.”
Following Houshmand, Ric Edelman shared some dire statistics about the field.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Yet, fewer than 200 U.S. colleges offer financial planning degrees—compared with nearly 1,500 offering business degrees.
“Expanding access to high-quality financial advice starts with investing in the people who deliver it,” said Ralph Haberli, CEO and President of Edelman Financial Engines. “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.”
Shaping the future of the financial planning profession
Ric Edelman brings four decades of leadership in the financial planning field. Along with his wife Jean, who serves as a trustee of Rowan University, Ric Edelman founded EFE in 1986. He was named the nation’s #1 Independent Financial Advisor three times by Barron’s, is in its Hall of Fame, and is recipient of three lifetime achievement awards. As founding head of the school, he will collaborate with Rohrer College leadership and faculty to develop the curricula, as well as teach in its programs, all based at Business Hall on the Glassboro campus.
“Financial planning is one of the most meaningful careers,” said Edelman. “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.”
Set to offer classes as soon as fall 2026, the school intends to create professionals who possess the technical and communication skills needed to succeed as financial planners. The school will also build partnerships within the financial services industry, creating professional development, research, conferences and networking opportunities for students.
“We are forming a first-of-its-kind East Coast financial education ecosystem,” said Matthew Sarkees, dean of Rohrer College of Business. “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.”
Rohrer College of Business is a vital part of the growth that continues throughout Rowan, with a 26 percent increase in business student enrollment in just the last three years. Princeton Review named the college among The Best 295 Business Schools out of more than 1,800 programs nationwide and ranked the Rohrer entrepreneurship program #39 nationally. The college further distinguishes itself by having earned AACSB and ABET accreditation, a standard fewer than one percent of the world’s 13,000 business programs have attained.
About Edelman Financial Engines
Edelman Financial Engines is one of the nation’s leading independent wealth management firms1, founded 40 years ago on the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality, personalized financial advice. Today, it sits at the intersection of comprehensive financial planning, workplace retirement guidance, and wealth planning, serving more than 1 million clients and managing over $326 billion in assets2. The firm helps people navigate their financial lives from their first paycheck through retirement, supported by an independent, fiduciary planner model that puts clients’ best interests first. Leveraging EFE’s scale, innovative planning platform, and decades of experience, it is on a mission to expand access to personal, goals-based advice, meeting clients where they are—and supporting them at every stage of life. Learn more at EdelmanFinancialEngines.com.
About Rowan University
A top 100 national public research institution, Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral and professional programs in person and online to nearly 24,500 students. The fastest-growing public research institution in the Northeast and among the country’s top 10 fastest-growing, Rowan offers a thriving multidisciplinary environment with a strong emphasis on practical research in business, health care, engineering and science, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. Nationally recognized for innovation, high-quality, affordable education and public-private partnerships, Rowan is one of two universities in the U.S. to offer M.D., D.O. and D.V.M. degree programs.
About William G. Rohrer College of Business
Founded in 1972 and named in 2005 for entrepreneur and philanthropist William G. Rohrer, Rohrer College of Business enrolled 3,000 students in 2025 and offers eight bachelor’s degree programs, plus graduate and certificate programs. Its enrollment includes 30 percent who are first-generation college students and 38 percent from underrepresented groups.
1 The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms list, awarded in September based on prior 12-month data through June 30th, is an annual ranking of independent advisory firms, based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. Firms elect to participate but do not pay to be included in the ranking.
2 Edelman Financial Engines data, as of December 31, 2025.
