Edelman Marks $10M for Financial Planning School at Rowan University

Rowan University announced Thursday a $10 million commitment by Edelman Financial Engines to establish a school of financial planning. The new school, headed by Edelman’s co-founder Ric Edelman, a Rowan alumnus, is part of Rowan’s William G. Rohrer College of Business, where Edelman is currently a lecturer and executive-in-residence. 

The new financial planning school will offer classes in fall 2026 and will provide undergraduate- and graduate-level curricula. It is geared toward helping students earn the Certified Financial Planner professional designation offered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc.

The university program is intended to address a nationwide shortage of financial advisers, as retirements in the industry have outpaced recruitment, according to the company’s announcement. The CFP Board will ask for public comment on whether the CFP certification should continue to require an undergraduate degree.  

“Financial planning is one of the most meaningful careers, and yet, too few college students are entering the field,” Edelman said in a statement. “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.” 

Edelman graduated from Glassboro, New Jersey-based Rowan in 1980, when it was named Glassboro State College. In 2020, Rowan named its school of communication, humanities and social sciences after Edelman; he and his wife, a Rowan alumna, have consistently made substantial donations. 

Edelman Financial Engines, founded in 1986, serves more than 1 million clients in financial planning, workplace retirement guidance and wealth planning. It managed more than $326 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Ric Edelman left his role as chairman, financial education and client experience at Edelman Financial Engines in 2021. At the time of the 2018 merger of the then-Edelman Financial Services with Financial Engines, the combined entity was the largest independent financial planning and investment management firm in the U.S.