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Financial Behaviors and Financial Well-Being of College Students: Evidence from a National Survey

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between financial behaviors and financial well-being of college students when controlling demographic and financial characteristics, financial education and financial dispositions. Data (N = 15,797) was collected from college students age 18 and over via an online survey from 15 college campuses throughout the United States during spring and fall of 2008. Results of means comparisons showed significant differences on the financial well-being level by various socioeconomic factors and financial behaviors. In addition, regression analysis showed that budgeting, saving, risky credit card behaviors, and compulsive buying were significantly related to financial well-being when controlling for demographic information, financial characteristics, financial education, and financial dispositions.

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Acknowledgments

This study is made possible by a generous Grant from the National Endowment for Financial Education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida/IFAS, 3002-C McCarty Hall D, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7330, USA

    Michael Gutter

  2. Department of Family and Consumer Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Zeynep Copur

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  1. Michael Gutter
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  2. Zeynep Copur
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Correspondence to Michael Gutter.

Appendices

Appendix A

See Table 8.

Table 8 Breakdown of the sample by campus and policy category
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Appendix B

See Table 9.

Table 9 Variable reference coding
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Gutter, M., Copur, Z. Financial Behaviors and Financial Well-Being of College Students: Evidence from a National Survey. J Fam Econ Iss 32, 699–714 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-011-9255-2

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