Key Points
- 28 U.S. states now require a standalone personal finance course for high school graduation.
- The trend has gained momentum in the past five years, tripling the number of states with mandates since 2021.
- These classes typically cover budgeting, credit, taxes, and saving, helping students prepare for real-world decisions.
As of June 2025, 28 states have passed laws requiring high school students to complete a personal finance course in order to graduate. Just a few years ago, that number stood at eight. The increase reflects growing support among lawmakers, educators, and parents who say basic money skills are too important to leave out of school curriculums.
Recent laws passed in states like Colorado, California, and Kentucky require that students learn budgeting, saving, credit, debt, and taxes before receiving a diploma. While the specifics vary, most states now mandate at least a half-credit in financial literacy as part of graduation requirements.
The movement picked up steam during and after the pandemic, which highlighted how financially vulnerable many American households were. Rising student loan debt, higher living costs, and a growing awareness of long-term money issues are pushing states to act.
Which States Are Requiring It?
As of mid-2025, the following 28 states have enacted laws that require high school students to complete a standalone personal finance course to graduate. Requirements vary slightly by state, but most mandate at least a course focused on financial literacy topics such as budgeting, credit, saving, taxes, and loans.
- Alabama
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Why Personal Finance Education Matters
Backers of the new laws argue that students need these lessons before they face major financial decisions. By age 18, many teenagers are applying for their first credit cards, considering student loans, and starting jobs. Yet research shows that many don’t understand how credit works, how interest accumulates, or how to create a budget.
Only about half of U.S. high school students currently have guaranteed access to a personal finance course. Organizations like Next Gen Personal Finance are on a mission to change that. They are one of the largest organizations pushing personal finance education in the United States.
The National Standards for Personal Financial Education (PDF FIle) outline what should be taught: earning income, managing spending, saving, investing, and understanding credit. Studies suggest students who take these courses tend to make better borrowing and spending choices.
What Are These Courses Teaching?
While the requirements differ by state, most personal finance courses include core topics:
- Budgeting: Creating and managing a monthly spending plan.
- Saving: Setting goals and understanding interest on savings.
- Credit and Debt: Learning about credit scores, interest rates, loans, and how debt can grow.
- Taxes: Understanding paychecks, withholdings, and filing basics.
- Investing: Introduction to stocks, compound growth, and retirement savings.
Some states go further. Wisconsin, for example, includes insurance and financial psychology in its curriculum. Others, like Georgia, let students double-count the personal finance class toward math or social studies credits.
Despite the movement, the scope of instruction still varies. Most courses are just a half-credit, and curriculum quality depends on local school districts and teacher training. In some cases, teachers must have licenses in related subjects like business or social studies.
What Happens Next
While 28 states have passed laws to require personal finance education, as of mid-2025, only 10 have fully implemented it. The remaining 18 are rolling out the curriculum over the next few years.
For students entering high school, there will be a larger focus on personal finance topics over the next few years. And it's likely that more and more states will adopt similar curriculum.
This is good news for Americans - as they can be armed with vital information to help navigate their finances.
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Editor: Colin Graves
Robert Farrington is the founder of The College Investor and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices on student loan debt and saving for college. He holds an MBA from UC San Diego Rady School of Management and has spent over 15 years researching, writing, and advising on student loans, 529 plans, financial aid programs, and saving and investing for young professionals.
Robert has been featured in the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, NBC News, and Forbes, where he has been a regular personal finance contributor for over a decade. His work combines both professional expertise and personal experience – he successfully navigated his own student loan repayment journey and has helped thousands of readers do the same.
He is committed to making the intersection of personal finance and education transparent and accessible. You can learn more about Robert on the About Page or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.