What the Research Actually Says About Financial Education

What the Research Actually Says About Financial Education

Author: Next Gen Personal Finance July 23, 2026 Duration: 46:15

For over 12 years, Carly Urban has been researching one question: does financial education actually work? As a Professor of Economics at Montana State University, she's co-authored the most comprehensive meta-analysis of financial education ever conducted, examining 76 randomized controlled trials. Her findings debunk decades of faulty research and confirm what teachers want to hear—financial education improves financial behaviors in cost-effective ways. But the devil is in the details. Her research shows that standalone semester-long courses improve credit scores and financial well-being, while embedded approaches don't show the same effects. In this session, Carly will share what actually works in financial education, why quality implementation matters more than just having requirements on paper, and what her database of high school course offerings across America reveals about the state of financial literacy education nationwide.


Behind the mission of Next Gen Personal Finance-a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every U.S. high school student takes a personal finance class-is a vibrant community of educators constantly refining their craft. The NGPF Podcast sits at the heart of that conversation. It’s a space where teachers, curriculum specialists, and sometimes even students share their real-world experiences and challenges in bringing financial literacy to life. You’ll hear practical discussions about what actually works in the classroom, from innovative lesson plans to navigating tricky topics like investing, credit, and behavioral economics. The episodes, often born from the organization's deep investment in teacher professional development, feel less like formal lectures and more like insightful coffee-break chats with colleagues who are just as passionate about empowering the next generation. Tuning into this podcast offers a direct line to the strategies and stories that are shaping financially capable young adults, all grounded in the high-quality resources NGPF is known for. It’s an essential listen for anyone invested in the practical side of financial education, whether you're in a classroom or simply believe in the critical importance of these skills for the future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

NGPF Podcast
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