La educación financiera como determinante de la cultura del ahorro en estudiantes universitarios: Caso Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo

Financial education is fundamental for fostering saving habits and ensuring long-term economic stability by promoting informed financial decisions and efficient resource management. This study evaluates the impact of financial education on the saving culture of students at the Quevedo State Technical University (UTEQ), analyzing their financial knowledge and practices. A survey was conducted with 400 undergraduate students from the Faculties of Social, Economic, and Financial Sciences (FCSEF) and Business Sciences (FCE), considering variables such as economic status, employment, financial habits, and participation in financial education programs. In addition, using a mixed-methods approach, a systematic literature review identified key determinants of saving, and a binomial logistic regression model, estimated via maximum likelihood, quantified their impact. The results show that employment, gender, ownership of savings accounts, participation in financial education courses, and credit card use are key determinants of the likelihood of saving. It is concluded that financial education is essential for fostering a robust financial culture, with significant implications for designing educational policies in university settings.