5 Personal Finance Books for College Students

Last Updated on June 29, 2023

If you’re looking to get your finances in shape, one of the best ways to start is by learning from someone who’s done it themselves. Here are a few of our favorite personal finance books for college students to get you started:

Total Money Makeover

Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve been balancing your budget for a few years, Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover is a key personal finance book for college students. One of Ramsey’s primary focuses is becoming and staying debt-free, so if you’ve taken out student loans to pay for your education, you may find some valuable tools for strategizing your post-college repayment process in this book.

Total Money Makeover also covers a few basics about investing in your long-term financial health rather than “keeping up with the Joneses.” If you enjoy his book, you can also check out The Dave Ramsey Show on YouTube, where he answers personal finance questions from viewers.

I Will Teach You to Be Rich

If you’re looking for the best books for college students, don’t miss Ramit Sethi’s I Will Teach You to Be Rich. Whether you have thousands in the bank, or maybe even only a few hundred dollars, you can use his simple, six-week financial plan to start shaping up your finances.

From using your credit card wisely to finding the right bank account for your needs, Sethi’s book covers a few basic financial principles that aren’t too difficult to employ, but many people don’t learn until later in life. It’s meant to give readers a leg up in financial planning and help you build a strong foundation that will last throughout college and beyond.

Broke Millennial

If you want to get your financial life together, you’ll love Erin Lowry’s book. She focuses on explaining the strategies you need to build a solid financial foundation in a way that’s entertaining and easy to understand. Lowry says she remembers what it’s like to be a broke millennial, and she aims to teach others how to excel in money management, just as she learned.

Broke Millennial is an especially effective personal finance book for college students who need a little bit of humor in their reading. Lowry shares funny stories and makes money management feel approachable and attainable. If you enjoy this book, you may also want to try Broke Millennial Takes on Investing, the second book in her series.

The Millionaire Next Door

Want to know a secret? Not all millionaires live in exotic mansions with golf courses in their front yards. In fact, you may even have a few living in your neighborhood.

The Millionaire Next Door, written by Thomas J. Stanley, is a fantastic personal finance book for college students. It busts the myth that all millionaires are simply born rich or generate great wealth overnight. Stanley shares seven common traits that he’s seen over and over in people who accumulate wealth during their lifetimes and gives tips for how you can also exhibit those qualities.

If you enjoy The Millionaire Next Door, don’t miss Stanley’s other publications, which include The Millionaire Mind, Stop Acting Rich, Millionaire Women Next Door and more.

Your Money Life: Your 20s

If you’re looking for a personal finance book that’s written especially for college students, then you may love Your Money Life: Your 20s. Peter Dunn, better known as Pete the Planner®, is a comedian and financial guru. He started his career as a financial advisor and uses his experience with previous clients to share the dos and don’ts of personal finance for young adults.

He has a host of books, video courses and more to help you get your finances on track – if you want to learn more, you can visit his website, which is linked here.

More Resources for College Students

You can find so many incredible resources to help you along your financial journey! If you’re ready for more, don’t miss our favorite personal finance podcasts and blogs.