A Study on the Impact of Financial Knowledge on Financial Behaviour among College Students
Authors
Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, Himachal Pradesh University, Summerhill, Shimla (India)
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce & Management, St. Bede’s College, Navbahar, Shimla (India)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150900040
Subject Category: Commerce and Management
Volume/Issue: 15/9 | Page No: 505-519
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-09-12
Accepted: 2026-09-17
Published: 2026-10-03
Abstract
Financial literacy has become increasingly important for college students as they are required to make independent financial decisions related to budgeting, saving, debt management and financial planning. The present study examines the impact of financial knowledge on financial behaviour among college students. Specifically, the study aims to evaluate students’ financial knowledge and analyze its influence on their financial behaviour.
The study is based on primary data collected from 131 college students through a structured questionnaire using a Likert scale. A quantitative research design and convenience sampling technique were adopted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation and regression analysis.
The findings revealed that students possess a relatively high level of financial knowledge, whereas their financial behaviour remains moderate. Correlation and regression analyses indicated a positive and significant relationship between financial knowledge and financial behaviour, suggesting that financially knowledgeable students are more likely to demonstrate responsible financial practices.
The study concludes that financial knowledge plays an important role in shaping students’ financial behaviour. The findings emphasize the need for effective financial literacy programs in higher education institutions to encourage responsible financial decision-making among students.
Keywords
Financial Knowledge, Financial Behaviour, Financial Literacy, College Students
Downloads
References
1. Azizah, Afifatun & Susilaningsih, Susilaningsih & Noviani, Leny. (2024). “The Impact of Financial Knowledge on College Students' Financial Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review”. Asian Journal of Management Analytics. 3. 1085-1102. 10.55927/ajma.v3i4.11720. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Burga-Morales, Julio & Cordova-Buiza, Franklin. (2025) “Exploring the relationship between financial education and personal finance management in Lima, Peru”. Knowledge and Performance Management. 9. 18-29. 10.21511/kpm.09 (2).2025.2. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Cole, S., Sampson, T., & Zia, B. (2011). “Prices or knowledge? What drives demand for financial services in emerging markets?” The Journal of Finance, 66(6), 1933–1967. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.2011.01696.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Johan, I. & Rowlingson, K. & Appleyard, L. (2021) “The Effect of Personal Finance Education on The Financial Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of University Students in Indonesia”. J Fam Econ Iss 42, 351–367 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-020-09721-9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Isaga, Nsubili. (2025). “The roles of finance opinion and income source in the link between financial literacy and student financial behaviour in Tanzania”. Discover Sustainability. 6. 10.1007/s43621-025-02087-8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Karthik & R.Anusha (2025) “A Study Role of Financial Literacy in Personal Finance”. EPRA International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Studies.301304.10.36713/epra21697. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Lone, Umer & Bhat, Suhail. (2022) “Impact of financial literacy on financial well-being: a mediational role of financial self-efficacy”. Journal of Financial Services Marketing. 29. 122-137. 10.1057/s41264-022-00183-8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2007). “Financial literacy and retirement preparedness: Evidence and implications for financial education.” Business Economics, 42(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.2145/20070104 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). “The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence.” Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5–44. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.52.1.5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Mandell, L. (2008). “Financial literacy of high school students.” In J. J. Xiao (Ed.), Handbook of consumer finance research (pp. 163–183). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75734-6_10 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Morris, Tania & Maillet, Stephanie & Koffi, Vivi. (2022) “Financial Knowledge, Financial Confidence and Learning Capacity on Financial Behavior: A Canadian Study”. Cogent Social Sciences. 8. 10.1080/23311886.2021.1996919. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Munir, Salman & Sajid, Abdul Nafay & Batool, Zahra & Awais, Hafiz. (2025) “The Role of Financial Literacy in Retirement Savings Behavior”. International Journal of social science bulletin 3. 423-432. 10.5281/zenodo.15016545. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Nogueira, Manuel & Gomes Almeida, Luís & Tavares, Fernando (2025) “Financial Literacy, Financial Knowledge, and Financial Behaviors in OECD Countries”. Journal of Risk and Financial Management. 18. 167. 10.3390/jrfm18030167. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Normawati, Rani & Rahayu, Mangesti & Worokinasih, Saparila. (2023) “Financial Satisfaction on Millennials: Examining the Relationship Between Financial Knowledge, Digital Financial Knowledge, Financial Attitude, and Financial Behavior”. Journal of Applied Management (JAM)Volume 20 Number 2, June 202. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2005). “Improving financial literacy: Analysis of issues and policies.” OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264012578-en [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2013). OECD/INFE toolkit to measure financial literacy and financial inclusion. OECD Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Paudel, Sandip (2025) “From Knowledge to Action: Students’ Personal Financial Management in Rupandehi District of Nepal”. KMC Journal. 7. 310-330. 10.3126/kmcj.v7i2.83454. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Prajapati, Pradeep & Mishra, Anish & Sushil, Kumar. (2025) “Analyzing the Effect of Financial Knowledge on the Financial Behavior of University Students in India”. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute 0378-1143, 106. 49-59. 10.5281/zenodo.15516778. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Rajesh & Giridhar (2024) “Financial Literacy and Personal Financial Management: Smart Moves Towards Personal Finance”. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities. 12. 62-67. 10.34293/sijash.v12iS1-Oct.8285. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Rai, Kamini & Ahuja, Bhajneet & Sharma, Mamta. (2025) “Exploring linkages of financial literacy with financial well-being: the mediating aspect of financial behaviour and financial self-efficacy”. International Journal of Law and Management. 10.1108/IJLMA-02-2025-0066. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Sengupta, Rajeev & Patil, Ameya & Randive, Karan & Bhatt, Ankita & Kumar (2024) “Financial Literacy among Farmers in Punjab: Implications for Farm Management and Financial Behavior”. Economic Sciences 1505-4683, 24. 197-207. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Sivakami and Angel (2025) “Behavioral Finance: Investors Herding Behavior as a Tool for Investment Management”. Journal of the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies Pg. 98 ISSN: 0972-9682, Series: 26. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Wan Nawang, Wan Rasyidah & Kamarudin, Umie & Boucif, Sid Ahmed. (2025) “Determinants of Financial Well-Being among Malaysian University Students: The Role of Financial Behaviour as A Mediator”. The Journal of Muamalat and Islamic Finance Research. 22. 1-21. 10.33102/jmifr.595. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Yuneline, Mirza & Rosanti, Maria. (2023) “The Role of Digital Finance, Financial Literacy, and Lifestyle on Financial Behaviour”. HOLISTICA Journal of Business and Public Administration. 14. 97-115. 10.2478/hjbpa-2023-0018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]