Since 2020, the number of states guaranteeing all public high school students will take a Personal Finance course before graduating has more than tripled from eight to 27. Our recently released 2025 State of Financial Education Report shows where progress is happening, where gaps persist, and how states can drive strong implementation. Learn three key insights.

64% of U.S. High School Students Will Take Personal Finance

Now spanning 27 states of varying size, density, and politics, guaranteed Personal Finance courses (once fully implemented) will ensure nearly two in three U.S. high schoolers will start adulthood better prepared for their financial futures.

Policy Ensures Equitable Access

When states implement Personal Finance course requirements, students from historically marginalized groups get access to financial education. In states that do not, inequity persists.

Without statewide guarantees, access to Personal Finance courses is sharply divided along racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines.

Successful Implementation is Critical

To ensure students benefit from the life-changing promises of these policies, successful implementation is critical. Every state has its own local context and nuances but there are some general best practices that should be considered when developing an implementation plan.

NGPF is dedicated to supporting the successful implementation of standalone Personal Finance course guarantees. A regionally based team supports both states and districts by mapping NGPF’s leading curriculum to state standards, assisting with curriculum implementation, facilitating professional development, and providing thought partnership and ongoing direct support—all at no cost.

Hear From the Lead Researcher Tonight

For the 2025 report, University of Alabama Consumer Sciences Professor Madelaine L’Esperance led a team of researchers to analyze 10,000+ public high school course catalogs in all 50 states + D.C. to pinpoint financial education access at the individual school level.

Prof. L’Esperance will share more about the research and answer questions at tonight’s Speaker Series virtual event. Register now.

About the Author

Hannah Rael

As NGPF's Marketing Communications Manager, Hannah (she/her) helps spread the word about NGPF's mission to improve the financial lives of the next generation of Americans.

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