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Gen Z Prioritizes Homeownership Over College Savings, Study Finds

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Northwestern Mutual’s research shows many Gen Z families prioritize home down payments over college savings.
Fifty-two percent of parents will help their children buy homes, and 29% view this as more important than funding education.
The average age for first-time homebuyers is 40, with median prices above $410,000, making ownership harder.
Gen Z investors increasingly turn to high-risk assets like cryptocurrencies and meme stocks as traditional wealth-building avenues become less accessible.

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Story summary

Northwestern Mutual’s research shows many Gen Z families prioritize home down payments over college savings.
Fifty-two percent of parents will help their children buy homes, and 29% view this as more important than funding education.
The average age for first-time homebuyers is 40, with median prices above $410,000, making ownership harder.
Gen Z investors increasingly turn to high-risk assets like cryptocurrencies and meme stocks as traditional wealth-building avenues become less accessible.