By Kate Zydor
News Editor
No matter your major at the College, you will be required to complete a multitude of general education requirements: natural science, world language and belief systems — just to name a few. Based on the College Core program, it is evident that our institution prides itself on providing students with a well-rounded education founded on diverse perspectives.
While I agree that the College encourages interest and knowledge outside the scope of one’s major, we are sorely lacking in one critical area: financial literacy. In my experience, this topic is not nearly discussed as much as it should be, in high school or college.
As a psychology major and aspiring clinical psychologist, I cannot foresee myself using geology or meteorology in my everyday life — two of the more popular natural science course options.
While I am not a proponent of removing the natural science requirement, I am confused as to why laboratory skills are deemed more important than learning how to be a successful, financially stable adult.
According to Next Gen Personal Finance’s 2022 State of Financial Education report, only eight U.S. states have mandated that all students be required to take a finance-oriented course during their time in high school. This means that students across 42 states are likely coming to college unequipped to manage their finances.
Being named No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 Best Colleges rankings in the Regional Universities North category, the College should set itself apart from other institutions by fostering a sense of financial responsibility among its students. This can be accomplished through the inclusion of a financial literacy course within the College Core curriculum.
As students with varying economic backgrounds, it is safe to assume that many of us have or will eventually take out loans to pay for our education — whether it be for undergraduate or graduate schooling. This is no trivial matter; it requires a thorough understanding of how to manage student debt and plan for the future.
As tuition costs continue to increase nationwide, taking out student loans means that you may be committing to at least 10 to 20 years of repayment post-graduation. This is a daunting reality, but one that we, as stakeholders in our future success, must take steps toward addressing.
Post-college, a student’s success is not only determined by the job opportunities they receive but also by their capacity to flourish in all areas of life. It is no secret that being in immense debt has the potential to alter one’s mental health and, in turn, affect how one performs in their career.
At the College, such courses could teach students how to go about alleviating the burden of loan repayment, such as outside scholarships, grants and federal work-study programs.
Looking at the behavior and practices of college students as a whole, there is a reason that they are deemed financially irresponsible. I, along with many other students, am guilty of spending my hard-earned money on non-Eick food, going-out clothes and the newest items on TikTok Shop.
The value of budgeting, saving and investing money are not skills that are naturally ingrained in us; they must be continuously put into practice. It will not be long before we file taxes, take out mortgages and invest in stocks — all of which have an impact on our credit scores and means of “moving up” in society.
Some students may view this addition as unnecessary or just another hurdle to graduate. My response to this is: Why are we in college if not to equip ourselves with the competencies that prepare us for the real world?
It is evident, no matter how you look at it, that financial literacy is a crucial component of modern education, empowering students to make fiscally responsible decisions that leave a lasting impact on their lives.
