Does majoring in business-related fields lead to the practice of personal financial management skills among college students?
Location
SU-215
Start Date
2-5-2025 12:30 PM
Department
Accounting, Business Law and Finance
Abstract
Financial literacy has become a prominent topic in the United States in the past several years. After the 2008 financial crisis, the necessity to educate the masses about financial literacy, especially young adults who were the most affected, became evident. While levels of financial literacy are influenced by several variables, such as gender and social class, college education plays a significant role. Existing research shows that business students exhibit a higher level of financial literacy than members of the general public, largely due to the financial and accounting principles taught in the discipline. Financial literacy, however, is a combination of two attributes – knowledge and skills. Most studies have measured levels of financial literacy in terms of knowledge, while allocating minimal emphasis on the practice of skills. This study aims to examine if the higher levels of financial literacy exhibited by business students, which is largely knowledge focused, leads to the practical application of these skills in their personal financial lives. I aim to answer the question, “Do business students practice what they study in their personal lives?”
Faculty Sponsor
Sara Aliabadi
Does majoring in business-related fields lead to the practice of personal financial management skills among college students?
SU-215
Financial literacy has become a prominent topic in the United States in the past several years. After the 2008 financial crisis, the necessity to educate the masses about financial literacy, especially young adults who were the most affected, became evident. While levels of financial literacy are influenced by several variables, such as gender and social class, college education plays a significant role. Existing research shows that business students exhibit a higher level of financial literacy than members of the general public, largely due to the financial and accounting principles taught in the discipline. Financial literacy, however, is a combination of two attributes – knowledge and skills. Most studies have measured levels of financial literacy in terms of knowledge, while allocating minimal emphasis on the practice of skills. This study aims to examine if the higher levels of financial literacy exhibited by business students, which is largely knowledge focused, leads to the practical application of these skills in their personal financial lives. I aim to answer the question, “Do business students practice what they study in their personal lives?”