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Best Online Financial Planning Degree Programs (2026)
Updated September 7, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Key takeaway: Financial planning is the client-facing version of finance: household cash flow, investments, retirement, insurance, taxes, and estate documents, assembled into a plan a person can actually follow. The bachelor’s is commonly titled BS in Financial Planning or Financial Planning and Services (CIP 52.0804). It is not the same degree as corporate finance or investment banking. In IPEDS 2024, 67 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 67 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024). Compare accredited programs below.
Calling yourself a Certified Financial Planner is illegal unless you hold CFP certification. The degree can satisfy the education requirement if the program is on the CFP Board’s registered list. Confirm that list against the specific catalog year, not a school’s marketing page.
These accredited schools offer online programs. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats.
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recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
Average net price (lower is better) 20%
Retention rate 15%
Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
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BOC
Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
$78,660
Loan Officers
$76,690
Credit Counselors
$52,230
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Projected job growth (2024-2034) for financial planning careers. Source: BLS Employment Projections. Chart: Best Online College.View the data behind this chart
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
3.3%
Credit Counselors
3.3%
Loan Officers
1.7%
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Personal Financial AdvisorsSOC 13-2052
$105,070Median annual pay
Median hourly$50.51
Mean annual$156,670
Employment (US)266,800
Pay range (25-75%)$72,440 - $176,790
Financial ManagersSOC 11-3031
$166,570Median annual pay
Median hourly$80.08
Mean annual$186,910
Employment (US)841,710
Pay range (25-75%)$125,490 - $219,980
Financial and Investment AnalystsSOC 13-2051
$102,740Median annual pay
Median hourly$49.40
Mean annual$116,800
Employment (US)361,980
Pay range (25-75%)$79,290 - $133,340
Accountants and AuditorsSOC 13-2011
$83,680Median annual pay
Median hourly$40.23
Mean annual$94,750
Employment (US)1,449,500
Pay range (25-75%)$67,020 - $109,810
Financial ExaminersSOC 13-2061
$94,160Median annual pay
Median hourly$45.27
Mean annual$106,240
Employment (US)67,830
Pay range (25-75%)$70,660 - $129,600
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsSOC 41-3031
$78,660Median annual pay
Median hourly$37.82
Mean annual$109,150
Employment (US)489,570
Pay range (25-75%)$56,540 - $129,950
Loan OfficersSOC 13-2072
$76,690Median annual pay
Median hourly$36.87
Mean annual$87,790
Employment (US)274,330
Pay range (25-75%)$52,730 - $104,080
Credit CounselorsSOC 13-2071
$52,230Median annual pay
Median hourly$25.11
Mean annual$57,210
Employment (US)27,770
Pay range (25-75%)$45,720 - $64,080
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
This degree does not license you to sell securities or insurance. Series 7, Series 66, state insurance licenses, and RIA registration are separate, employer-driven, and often required in the first 90 days on the job.
A financial planning degree covers investments, retirement planning, insurance and risk, income tax planning, estate planning, client communication, and a capstone plan. Calling yourself a Certified Financial Planner is illegal unless you hold CFP certification. The degree can satisfy the education requirement if the program is on the CFP Board’s registered list. Confirm that list against the specific catalog year, not a school’s marketing page.
Can I earn a financial planning degree online?
Yes. In IPEDS 2024, 67 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 67 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024).
Is financial planning accredited?
The CFP Board does not accredit degrees. It registers education programs that satisfy the coursework requirement for CFP certification. Institutional accreditation is still the first check. Passing the CFP exam, meeting experience hours, and agreeing to the Board’s ethics rules are separate from the diploma.
What do financial planning graduates earn?
Personal Financial Advisors The national median annual wage was $105,070, with the 10th percentile at $50,190 and the 90th at $357,020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 326,000 in 2024, projected to grow 9.6 percent through 2034, with 24,100 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Individual outcomes vary by employer, geography, and experience.
