Our Student Financial Experience Report is created with one simple goal: to give you insight into the impact financial pressures and campus interactions have on students’ academic journeys.
For this, our fifth year, we’ve created the most significant, comprehensive report yet. We surveyed more than 3,000 students across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The survey uncovered key insights into the intersection of student finances, mobile technology, and academic achievement. Read the full report to learn how addressing pain points in tuition payments with convenient digital solutions can strengthen the campus experience and overall satisfaction — for administrators and students alike.
Paying Tuition is Complex
Students often rely on multiple funding sources to cover their tuition; 55% of students in the U.S. are juggling three or more funding sources altogether. Managing financial-related activities requires a moderate to high effort for 82% of the students we surveyed, which can lead to additional stress and negatively impact academic performance.
Financial Pressure Can Impact Student Success
Financial stress is a top factor in students' decision to leave their institution, and conversely, positive experiences can encourage students to stay. Half of all students surveyed (50%) reported financial interactions with their institutions had a positive impact on their academic success.
Students Value Digital Convenience
Across all markets, students strongly prefer digital, self-service tools for managing tuition payments and account information. Self-service options like web portals and mobile apps dominate as the preferred communication method when interacting with their institution.
Mobile ID May Be the New Normal
Mobile student IDs are becoming increasingly popular, with students favoring them for campus access and payments. Students in every region included in this study overwhelmingly prefer mobile access, especially when it comes to their financial accounts; less than one-third still prefer their physical ID cards.
International Students Are a Key Opportunity
International students are more likely than domestic students to say that payment methods influenced their decision to enroll. 47% of international students studying in the U.S. agree that managing their finances takes a very high effort, although the majority (56%) claim that their financial relationships with their schools have a positive impact on their academic success.
About the 2025 Student Financial Experience Report
The Student Financial Experience Report offers insights into how students pay for tuition and other campus items, and use mobile technology to navigate their campus experience. For five years, TouchNet has sponsored this endeavor to learn more about how technology impacts student experiences and outcomes.
Learn about last year's survey results and download a copy at the 2023 Student Financial Experience Report page.