The 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.
While TouchNet has conducted this study annually for the past five years, our 2025 report is the most significant, comprehensive report yet. We expanded our study to include students from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, in addition to the United States. With more than 3,000 student respondents we’ve uncovered more robust insights and comparisons between countries.
Read the full report to explore the intersection of student finances, mobile technology, and academic achievement. 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.
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. More than half of U.K.students surveyed (58%) 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 the U.K. 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. 59% of international students studying in the U.K. agree that managing their finances takes a very high effort, and 70% of international students studying in the U.K. said available payment methods influenced their decision on where to study.
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.
