North Dakota Receives ‘B’ Grade in National Financial Literacy Report Card
BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota has improved its standing in financial literacy education, receiving a “B” grade in a recent report card issued by the Alliance for Personal Finance Education (APEF). The state’s progress is largely attributed to the passage of House Bill 1533 in April and the adoption of new K-12 financial literacy standards in July, according to the APEF report.
The APEF report card, which rated 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto rico, highlights North Dakota’s “huge progress” in financial literacy. While the state hasn’t yet reached the “A” level – which the report indicates requires a stand-alone high school course in financial literacy – the new legislation and academic standards represent significant steps forward. Seventeen states, including Minnesota, earned “A” grades, while North Dakota was among 22 states receiving a “B.”
House Bill 1533, overwhelmingly approved by lawmakers, supports financial literacy initiatives statewide. The newly implemented K-12 academic content standards mark the frist time North Dakota has developed a dedicated curriculum specifically focused on financial literacy, as noted by former Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in a foreword to the standards.
In April 2024, than-Gov. Doug Burgum launched an initiative aimed at making North Dakota the nation’s most financially literate state by 2027, coinciding with the launch of the SmartWithMyMoney.nd.gov website, a resource offering various financial literacy tools. the initiative is a collaborative effort led by the superintendent of public instruction,the state treasurer,and several state agencies,including the Bank of North Dakota,the state insurance and Securities Department,and the Department of Financial Institutions.
A recent survey by the Finra Investor Education Foundation, published in July 2025, found that 30 percent of North Dakota residents surveyed demonstrated a high level of financial literacy. The survey data was gathered in 2024.
Other states in the region received varying grades: montana earned a “C,” while South Dakota received an “F,” alongside Alaska and the District of Columbia.
