Rowan University is launching a new School of Financial Planning with a $10 million commitment from Edelman Financial Engines, a move leaders say is designed to address a looming national shortage of financial advisors while creating a high‑demand career pipeline for students.
More on Rowan University’s School of Financial Planning
- Rowan announces $10M gift to create School of Financial Planning
- Financial planning is desperate for talent: One guru is helping Rowan build an on ramp
Housed in the William G. Rohrer College of Business, the school will focus on CFP‑aligned undergraduate and graduate education, with industry veteran Ric Edelman serving as founding head.
Here are 10 things to know:
- It’s a $10M gift aimed at a national talent gap
Rowan and Edelman Financial Engines are positioning the school as a response to a projected shortage of roughly 100,000 financial advisors over the next decade, as millions of Americans approach retirement and existing advisors age out of the profession.
- It’s built around the CFP credential
Programs will be designed to make students CFP‑ready, with a bachelor’s major and minor, a master’s degree, certificates and executive education all housed within Rowan’s accredited business program.
- Ric Edelman will lead the school
Edelman, founder of Edelman Financial Engines and a longtime advocate for investor access and financial literacy, will serve as founding head, helping design the curriculum and teaching in the program. Edelman is a legend in the industry.
- The focus: everyday families, not just the ultra‑wealthy
Edelman said the goal is to train planners who work with “mass affluent” and “rising affluent” households — the majority of Americans who lack access to written financial plans.
- It’s a career the sponsors say is durable and human‑centered
Leaders framed financial planning as a high‑demand, well‑compensated field that is relatively resistant to automation because of its relationship‑driven nature.
- There will be flexibility for current students
Rowan emphasized that current students won’t need to start over: Juniors and seniors can add a financial planning minor, and business students can integrate the coursework into existing degree paths.
- The faculty will be from academia and industry
The school will combine traditional faculty with practicing professionals and guest lecturers, reflecting Rowan’s broader model of blending academic rigor with real‑world experience.
- It could be an East Coast financial education hub
Matthew Sarkees, dean of the Rohrer College of Business, described the school as the anchor of a “first‑of‑its‑kind” East Coast ecosystem that links education, research, industry partnerships and career pipelines.
- It will feature strong career and industry connections
Rowan plans to leverage its career center, student organizations and growing employer network — along with Edelman Financial Engines’ industry reach — to support internships and placement.
- Classes are targeted to start this fall
The school expects to begin offering classes as soon as fall 2026, aligning with Rowan’s public‑service mission to deliver workforce‑ready education while addressing a national retirement‑readiness challenge.
