How long does it take an average American to pay off student loans?

Asked by: Prof. Kaylie Mayer  |  Last update: December 12, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (47 votes)

Many college graduates get stressed about how long it will take to pay back their student loans and it's not hard to see why. A repayment plan can last decades. In a nightmare scenario, it could even last into the start of your retirement. According to research, the average student loan takes 21 years to pay off.

How long should it take me to pay off my student loans?

Paying off student loans can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years, depending on the type of loan and repayment term you choose. Even though the Standard Repayment Plan for federal loans lasts 10 years, it takes most borrowers longer to finish paying off their balance.

How long does it take to pay off $100 K in student loans?

While the standard repayment term for federal loans is 10 years, it takes anywhere between 13 and 20 years on average to repay $100k in student loans.

Do student loans go away after 20 years?

Any outstanding balance on your loan will be forgiven if you haven't repaid your loan in full after 20 years (if all loans were taken out for undergraduate study) or 25 years (if any loans were taken out for graduate or professional study).

What happens if you never pay your student loans?

If you default on your student loan, that status will be reported to national credit reporting agencies. This reporting may damage your credit rating and future borrowing ability. Also, the government can collect on your loans by taking funds from your wages, tax refunds, and other government payments.

How long does it take to pay off Student Loans? Find out using our Loan Calculator

40 related questions found

Are student loans wiped after 25 years?

After reaching a set forgiveness threshold of 20 or 25 years, a borrower's remaining balance is then wiped.

Is $25,000 a lot of student loan debt?

What Type Of School Did You Attend? If you attended a public 4-year college, if you have more than $23,800 in debt, you're above average. If you attended a private non-profit school, and you have more than $34,251 in debt, you're above average.

How to pay off $30,000 in student loans in 2 years?

Here's how to pay off $30,000 in student loans:
  1. Make extra payments.
  2. Refinance your debt.
  3. Sign up for an income-driven repayment plan.
  4. Pursue loan forgiveness.

How to pay off 150k in student loans in 5 years?

  1. Consider refinancing your student loans. ...
  2. Add a cosigner. ...
  3. Pay off the loan with the highest interest rate first. ...
  4. See if you're eligible for an income-driven repayment plan. ...
  5. Consider student loan forgiveness. ...
  6. Pay more than the minimum every month. ...
  7. Consolidate your student loans. ...
  8. Sign up for automatic payments.

How to pay off 200k in student debt in 5 years?

Use the debt avalanche method

Many debtors use debt repayment strategies to pay off all types of debts — including student loans — faster. One popular strategy is the debt avalanche method, which prioritizes paying off the loans with the highest interest rate first while making minimum payments on your other loans.

Is 100000 in student loans bad?

However, borrowing $100,000 or more is considered to be a lot and isn't normal for the average student. Most jobs don't pay over $100,000 right out of school so it could be a struggle to have that much student loan debt.

Who owns all that student debt?

Student loans are owned by the federal government or private institutions, depending on the type of student loan. Federal student loans are owned by the U.S. Department of Education while private student loans are owned by the financial institution that granted them.

Are student loans hard to pay off?

It typically takes between 10 and 30 years to pay off a student loan balance, depending on your loans' interest rates, balance owed, annual income and repayment plan. Your chosen repayment plan greatly influences how long it will take you to eliminate student loan debt.

How to pay off 40k in student loans?

How to Pay Off Student Loans in 10 Steps
  1. Get on a budget.
  2. Find out your payoff date.
  3. Pay more than the minimum payment.
  4. Make some financial sacrifices.
  5. Pay off student loans with the debt snowball.
  6. Apply every raise and tax refund toward paying off your student loans.
  7. Increase your income with a side hustle.

Is $20,000 a lot in student loans?

Average Student Loan Debt Statistics:

The Federal Reserve reports that the median student debt for all borrowers in 2022 was between $20,000 and $24,999. That means about half of student loan borrowers owe more than that, and half owe less.

How many people owe $10,000 in student loans?

As for how much money people owe, 15 million people owe $10,000 or less in federal student loans. Another 21 million people owe $10,001-$50,000 dollars, and about 9 million people owe more than $50,000. President Biden has previously floated the idea of canceling up to $10,000 in federal student debt.

What age group has the most student loans?

Federal Student Loans by Age

Unsurprisingly, younger people hold the majority of student loan debt. Borrowers between the ages of 25 and 34 carry about $500 billion in federal student loans—the majority of people in this age group owe between $10,000 and $40,000.

What is a healthy amount of student loans?

There's a general rule that you shouldn't borrow more in student loans than you expect to make in your first year out of college. A bachelor's degree recipient's average student loan debt in 2021 was $29,100. In theory, a graduate with a salary above this could handle a 10-year standard repayment plan.

Who qualifies for 39 billion student loan forgiveness?

Borrowers with direct loans or those made through the Federal Family Education Loan, or F.F.E.L., program and held by the Education Department may qualify, including borrowers with Parent PLUS loans.

Do student loans go away eventually?

Do student loans ever go away? Student loans will remain on your credit reports and in your life until their paid in full or you qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-based repayment forgiveness, or some other discharge or cancellation opportunity that wipes your remaining loan balance.

Do student loans ever fall off?

Typically, a defaulted debt, including student loan debt, will be taken off your credit report 7 years from the date of the first missed payment.