With a new academic year about to start, WalletHub today released the results of its 2025 College Student Financial Survey, along with its editors’ picks for 2025’s Best Student Credit Cards and Best Student Checking Accounts, selected from 2,000+ offers. College students need to prepare for their financial future, and these types of accounts are essential building blocks.
Key Findings:
- Worried About AI: 63% of college students say they are worried about AI eliminating their job prospects.
- Borrowing Regrets: 61% of college students regret how much they borrowed with student loans.
- Overwhelmed Financially: More than 7 in 10 college students feel overwhelmed by their financial responsibilities.
- Financial Discipline: Only 1 in 10 college students say they don’t stick to a budget.
- Avoiding Money Talks: Nearly 2 in 5 college students are more comfortable talking with their parents about politics or sex rather than money.
- Unprepared Financially: 46% of college students say their schools have not adequately prepared them for financial independence.
- Best Credit Card for Students: The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1 – 8% cash back on purchases, an initial bonus of $100 for spending $300 in the first three months, and no annual fee.
- Best Checking Account for Students: The SoFi Student Checking and Savings Account doesn’t have overdraft fees, monthly fees, or a minimum deposit requirement.
“Students are overwhelmed right now – not just by the prospect of coursework piling up, but also by money. Some people might be surprised by that, seeing as college is supposed to be one of the most carefree times of your life and older adults tend to have more serious responsibilities, but it’s true. More than 7 in 10 college students feel overwhelmed by their financial responsibilities, according to a new WalletHub survey, and the combination of high student loan balances, low financial literacy levels and uncertain job prospects due to AI has a lot to do with that. Most students regret how much they borrowed for school and worry AI will eliminate their job opportunities, and nearly half say their schools haven’t adequately prepared them to be on their own financially. Schools of all levels clearly need to improve their practical education, particularly as it relates to personal finance. But students can’t just wait around for that to happen. You don’t need a teacher to become financially literate these days.”
– John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor
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