Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Project Ideas for High School Students | RISE Research

TL;DR: Finance and behavioral economics research project ideas for high school students range from survey-based studies on spending psychology to data-driven analyses of stock market anomalies. A publishable project differs from a classroom assignment in three ways: it asks a specific question, uses a real method, and adds something new to the field. If you want expert mentorship to turn one of these ideas into a published paper, RISE Research can help. Our deadline is closing soon.

Why Finance and Behavioral Economics Is One of the Strongest Fields for High School Research

Finance and behavioral economics research project ideas for high school students are more achievable than most students realize. This field sits at the intersection of psychology, mathematics, and economics. That means a motivated student can conduct original research using publicly available market data, survey instruments, or historical financial records, without needing a laboratory or university affiliation.

The field also contains genuinely open questions. How do cognitive biases shape investment decisions? Why do people consistently save less than they intend to? What drives irrational behavior in financial markets? These are not settled debates. Researchers at the world's leading universities are still working through them.

The problem most students face is scope. Topics like "how emotions affect investing" or "why people go into debt" are too broad to execute and too familiar to publish. The result is a project that satisfies a teacher but contributes nothing new.

RISE Research helps students find the precise version of their idea: specific enough to execute, original enough to publish, and matched to their exact interest and skill level.

What Makes a Good Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Project for a High School Student?

Answer Capsule: A strong, publishable finance or behavioral economics project has three qualities: a specific and narrow research question, a method accessible without specialized equipment (surveys, secondary data analysis, or document review), and a finding that adds something new, however small. RISE Research helps students identify all three from the start.

Narrow enough in this field means geographically bounded, demographically specific, or focused on a single behavioral phenomenon. "The effect of loss aversion on financial decision-making" is too broad. "How loss aversion influences the frequency of stop-loss order placement among retail investors on Robinhood, based on publicly reported trading data from 2020 to 2022" is specific enough to execute.

Accessible methods in finance and behavioral economics include online surveys distributed through school networks or Reddit communities, secondary analysis of publicly available datasets from the Federal Reserve, the World Bank, or FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), and document analysis of earnings call transcripts or central bank communications.

An original contribution at the high school level does not require a groundbreaking discovery. It requires applying an existing framework to a new population, time period, or context. That is enough to publish in the right journal.

What Are the Best Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Project Ideas for High School Students?

Answer Capsule: The strongest areas for high school research in this field are behavioral biases in personal finance, market anomalies analyzable through public data, and the psychology of economic decision-making. Methods include survey design, secondary data analysis, and case study comparison. RISE Research has mentors specializing in all three areas who have guided students to publication in peer-reviewed journals.

1. Does the Framing Effect Change How Teenagers Respond to Savings Incentives?

This project tests whether presenting the same savings goal as a "gain" versus a "loss" changes reported willingness to save among students aged 15 to 18. A student can design a simple survey with two experimental conditions and distribute it within their school. This is a classic behavioral economics experiment adapted to an under-studied demographic. Results are appropriate for journals like the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics. A RISE mentor in behavioral economics can help design the survey instrument and structure the analysis correctly.

2. How Did Retail Investor Sentiment on Reddit Correlate with GameStop Stock Volatility in January 2021?

This project uses publicly archived Reddit posts from r/WallStreetBets and historical stock price data from Yahoo Finance to analyze the relationship between sentiment volume and intraday price swings. Both datasets are freely accessible. The GameStop episode is well-documented but under-analyzed at the granular, daily level. This project suits finance and economics journals that accept undergraduate and advanced secondary research. A RISE mentor in financial economics can guide the sentiment coding methodology.

3. Do Students from Higher-Income Households Demonstrate Lower Present Bias in Hypothetical Spending Scenarios?

Present bias, the tendency to prefer smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed ones, is a core concept in behavioral economics. A student can design a survey using hypothetical monetary choice scenarios and collect responses across different socioeconomic groups within their school community. This is feasible without any special equipment. The socioeconomic dimension makes it genuinely original. A RISE mentor can help with ethical survey design and statistical analysis using free tools like SPSS or R.

4. How Have Central Bank Forward Guidance Statements Affected Bond Market Volatility Between 2010 and 2023?

This project uses Federal Reserve and European Central Bank press release archives alongside historical bond yield data from FRED to test whether specific language patterns in forward guidance correlate with short-term volatility spikes. Document analysis and time-series comparison are both accessible methods. This is a strong fit for journals focused on monetary economics and policy. A RISE mentor in macroeconomics can help structure the textual analysis component.

5. Does Financial Literacy Education in High School Predict Better Budgeting Behavior at Age 18?

Using publicly available data from the National Financial Educators Council surveys and state-level financial literacy curriculum records, a student can analyze whether states with mandatory financial literacy requirements show measurable differences in reported budgeting behavior among young adults. This is a secondary data project requiring no primary data collection. It speaks directly to education policy debates. A RISE mentor in applied economics can guide the regression analysis.

6. How Does Anchoring Bias Influence Price Perception in Online Retail Among High School Students?

This project presents student participants with two versions of the same product listing, one with a high crossed-out "original price" and one without, and measures willingness to pay. Survey-based experimental design makes this fully accessible. Anchoring is a well-established phenomenon, but testing it in a specific demographic with specific product categories adds originality. A RISE mentor in consumer psychology can help design the experimental conditions and interpret the results.

7. What Predicts Individual Stock-Picking Overconfidence Among Amateur Investors on Investment Simulation Platforms?

Several platforms, including Investopedia's Stock Simulator, publish aggregate performance data. A student can design a survey targeting users of these platforms to measure self-assessed skill versus actual simulated returns. Overconfidence is a documented bias, but measuring its predictors in a specific user population is original. This suits behavioral finance journals. A RISE mentor can help design the overconfidence measurement scale.

8. How Did COVID-19 Unemployment Announcements Affect Consumer Confidence Index Scores in the United States Between March and December 2020?

The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment data are both publicly available at monthly resolution. A student can use correlation and simple regression to test the lag between unemployment announcements and sentiment shifts. This is a feasible secondary data project for a Grade 10 or 11 student. A RISE mentor in macroeconomics can guide the data analysis and framing.

9. Do ESG Fund Labels Influence Investment Decisions Among Environmentally Conscious Young Adults?

This project surveys university students and recent graduates about their hypothetical investment choices when funds are labeled with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) designations versus when they are not. The behavioral question is whether the label itself, independent of fund performance data, drives preference. This connects behavioral economics to sustainable finance, a growing subfield. A RISE mentor can help design the experimental survey and identify the right journal.

10. How Have Cryptocurrency Price Movements Correlated with Google Trends Search Volume for "Bitcoin" Between 2017 and 2023?

Google Trends data is freely exportable. Historical Bitcoin price data is available through CoinGecko and Yahoo Finance. A student can run a correlation and Granger causality test to examine whether search interest predicts or follows price movement. This is a quantitative project accessible to a motivated Grade 11 student with basic spreadsheet skills. A RISE mentor in financial economics can guide the time-series methodology.

11. Does the Endowment Effect Differ Between Students Who Own Versus Do Not Own Physical Collectibles?

The endowment effect describes the tendency to overvalue items one already owns. A student can design a classroom experiment where participants are randomly assigned ownership of a small item and then asked to trade it. Comparing responses between students who collect physical items (cards, books, memorabilia) and those who do not adds a novel individual-difference dimension. This is a low-cost, no-equipment experiment. A RISE mentor in behavioral economics can guide the experimental design.

12. How Do Earnings Surprise Announcements Affect Short-Term Stock Returns in the S&P 500 Technology Sector?

Earnings surprise data is available through Macrotrends and company investor relations pages. Historical daily stock returns are available through Yahoo Finance. A student can conduct an event study analyzing abnormal returns in the three days following positive and negative earnings surprises for a defined sample of technology firms. Event study methodology is well-documented and teachable. A RISE mentor in financial economics can guide the abnormal return calculation.

13. What Is the Relationship Between Student Loan Debt Levels and Reported Life Satisfaction Among Recent US College Graduates?

The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances and the Gallup-Purdue Index both contain relevant publicly available data. A student can analyze the correlation between debt-to-income ratios and self-reported wellbeing scores across graduate cohorts. This connects behavioral economics to personal finance and public policy. It is appropriate for journals in applied economics and financial wellbeing. A RISE mentor can help identify the cleanest dataset for this comparison.

14. How Does Mental Accounting Affect Spending Patterns When Students Receive Money as a Gift Versus Money Earned?

Mental accounting is the tendency to treat money differently based on its source. A student can survey peers about their spending behavior following birthday gifts versus part-time job income of equivalent amounts. The survey is simple to design and distribute. The peer population makes the demographic specific and original. A RISE mentor in behavioral economics can help operationalize mental accounting in a measurable survey format.

15. Did Mandatory Pension Auto-Enrollment Policies in the United Kingdom Increase Retirement Savings Rates Among Low-Income Workers Between 2012 and 2020?

The UK Department for Work and Pensions publishes annual pension participation statistics. A student can analyze participation rate trends across income quartiles before and after the 2012 auto-enrollment mandate using publicly available government data. This is a policy-focused project with a clear before-and-after structure that is accessible to a Grade 11 or 12 student. A RISE mentor in behavioral public policy can guide the difference-in-differences framing.

16. How Do Price Comparison Website Rankings Influence Purchase Decisions, and Does This Differ by Age Group?

A student can design a survey presenting participants with simulated price comparison website results where ranking order is varied independently of price. Measuring whether participants default to the top-ranked option regardless of price tests a specific form of status quo bias. Comparing responses across age groups adds an original dimension. This is a fully survey-based project. A RISE mentor can guide the experimental design and statistical comparison.

17. Has Increased Algorithmic Trading Volume Reduced the Monday Effect in US Equity Markets Since 2010?

The Monday Effect, the historical tendency for stock returns to be lower on Mondays, is a documented market anomaly. Daily return data from CRSP or Yahoo Finance allows a student to test whether this anomaly has weakened as algorithmic trading has grown. Comparing pre-2010 and post-2010 periods using publicly available data makes this a feasible quantitative project. A RISE mentor in financial economics can guide the statistical testing approach.

18. How Does the Availability Heuristic Shape Risk Perception of Financial Fraud Among Adults Over 60?

Following a high-profile fraud case, do older adults report higher perceived risk of financial fraud? A student can design a survey administered before and after presenting participants with a news article about a recent fraud case, measuring shifts in risk perception. This connects behavioral economics to elder financial protection, a policy-relevant and under-researched area at the high school level. A RISE mentor can help design the pre-post survey instrument and interpret the results.

How Do You Turn a Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Project Idea into a Published Paper?

Answer Capsule: Four steps in order: narrow the idea to a specific research question, choose an accessible method (survey, secondary data analysis, or document review), collect and analyze data from public sources, then write and submit to an appropriate journal. RISE Research guides students through all four steps in a 10-week 1-on-1 programme with a mentor who specializes in finance and behavioral economics.

Step 1: Narrow the idea. A researchable question in this field names a specific behavior, a specific population, and a specific time period or context. "How does loss aversion affect investing?" is not researchable. "Does loss aversion predict higher portfolio turnover among self-directed retail investors aged 18 to 30, based on 2022 brokerage survey data?" is. Most students spend weeks circling a topic without landing on a question. A RISE mentor closes that gap in the first session.

Step 2: Choose the right method. The most common methods in high school behavioral economics research are survey-based experiments, secondary data analysis using publicly available datasets, and case study or document analysis. Each requires different skills. Survey design requires knowledge of experimental controls and bias reduction. Secondary data analysis requires comfort with spreadsheets or basic statistical software. A RISE mentor will recommend the method that fits both the question and the student's current skill level.

Step 3: Collect and analyze. Key public data sources for this field include FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), the World Bank Open Data portal, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the UK Office for National Statistics, Yahoo Finance for historical stock data, and the Survey of Consumer Finances. For survey-based projects, Google Forms combined with a school or community network is sufficient for a publishable sample size.

Step 4: Write and submit. Journals in this field look for a clear research question, an appropriate method section, honest reporting of limitations, and a discussion that connects findings to existing literature. The RISE Publications page shows the range of journals where RISE scholars have published. RISE Research pairs students with a specialist mentor in finance and behavioral economics who guides every step of this process. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out whether your idea is ready to develop.

RISE Research mentors specialize in finance and behavioral economics and have guided students to publication in peer-reviewed journals. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

What Journals Publish Finance and Behavioral Economics Research from High School Students?

Answer Capsule: The most appropriate journals for high school finance and behavioral economics research include the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, the Young Economists Journal, the American Economic Review: Insights (for secondary analysis projects), and the Journal of Financial Education. RISE Research has a 90% publication success rate across 40+ peer-reviewed journals, and a RISE mentor will help identify the right fit for your specific paper.

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (Elsevier): Covers decision-making, cognitive biases, and experimental economics. Accepts empirical and survey-based studies. Free to submit without open-access fees for standard publication. Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Competitive but accessible for well-designed survey experiments. URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-behavioral-and-experimental-economics

Young Economists Journal (University of Warwick): Specifically designed for student researchers at the undergraduate and advanced secondary level. Covers economics, finance, and behavioral topics. Free to submit. Peer-reviewed. A strong first publication target for Grade 11 and 12 students. URL: https://www.yejconference.com/

Journal of Financial Education (Academy of Financial Services): Publishes research on financial literacy, personal finance behavior, and financial decision-making. Accessible to well-structured secondary data projects. Free to submit for non-members. Indexed in EBSCO. URL: https://www.jstor.org/journal/jfinaedu

Undergraduate Economic Review (Illinois Wesleyan University): Accepts advanced secondary and undergraduate submissions in economics and finance. Peer-reviewed. Free to submit. Indexed in EconLit. Strong fit for quantitative finance and policy analysis projects. URL: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/

RISE Research has a 90% publication success rate across 40+ peer-reviewed journals. A RISE mentor in finance and behavioral economics will help you identify the right journal for your specific paper. See the full range of RISE scholar publications for reference.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Projects for High School Students

Can a High School Student Publish Original Finance and Behavioral Economics Research?

Yes. RISE Research has guided high school students to publication in peer-reviewed economics and finance journals. The key is a specific research question and an accessible method. Survey-based experiments and secondary data analysis are both publishable at the high school level when executed rigorously. Many journals listed above actively welcome advanced secondary submissions.

Do I Need Lab Access or Special Equipment to Do Finance and Behavioral Economics Research?

No. Finance and behavioral economics research project ideas for high school students are among the most accessible in any field. Surveys can be designed in Google Forms. Data analysis can be done in Excel, Google Sheets, or free statistical tools like JAMOVI. Public databases like FRED, Yahoo Finance, and the World Bank require only an internet connection. No laboratory, specialist software license, or university affiliation is needed.

How Long Does a Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Project Take to Complete?

A focused project from question to submission takes approximately 10 to 14 weeks. The RISE Research programme is structured as a 10-week 1-on-1 mentorship, which covers question refinement, method selection, data collection, analysis, writing, and journal submission. Students who enter with a clear idea can move faster. Those still exploring topics benefit from the early sessions with a RISE mentor to narrow their focus.

What Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Topics Are Most Likely to Get Published?

Projects with the highest publication success rates combine a specific behavioral phenomenon with a defined, accessible dataset or survey population. Topics involving cognitive biases tested in a specific demographic, market anomaly analysis using public financial data, or policy analysis using government statistics are consistently strong. Avoid topics that require proprietary data or clinical populations. A RISE mentor will tell you within the first session whether your idea has publication potential.

How Does RISE Research Help Students with Finance and Behavioral Economics Projects?

RISE Research pairs each student with a 1-on-1 specialist mentor in finance or behavioral economics, drawn from a network of 500+ mentors published in 40+ academic journals. The 10-week programme takes students from initial idea to submitted manuscript. RISE has a 90% publication success rate. Mentors guide question refinement, method design, data analysis, and journal selection. Our deadline is closing soon.

Start Your Finance and Behavioral Economics Research Project with RISE

Three things matter most before you choose a finance and behavioral economics research project. First, your question must be specific enough that two students could not write the same paper from the same prompt. Second, your method must be genuinely accessible: survey design, secondary data analysis, or document review are all viable without any special equipment. Third, your topic must connect to existing academic literature in a way that makes your contribution clear, even if it is small.

RISE Research is the programme that helps high school students achieve all three. With a 90% publication success rate, a network of specialist mentors, and a structured 10-week programme, RISE has helped students across the globe publish original research in peer-reviewed journals and earn admission to the world's most selective universities. Explore RISE admissions outcomes and RISE mentors to see what is possible. You may also find related ideas in our posts on mathematics research project ideas and engineering research project ideas if your interests span multiple fields.

Our deadline is closing soon. If you are a high school student with an interest in finance and behavioral economics and want to turn that into a peer-reviewed published paper, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable in your timeline.