What is the average student loan payment?

Asked by: Efrain Little  |  Last update: September 3, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (56 votes)

Average Student Loan Payments As of May 30, 2023, the average monthly payment for federal student loans was estimated to be about $500 per month when adjusted for inflation. However, the final number depends on the type of loan, loan amount, interest rates, and repayment plan.

What's the average student loan payment per month?

The average monthly student loan payment is an estimated $500 based on previously recorded average payments and median average salaries among college graduates. The average borrower takes 20 years to repay their student loan debt.

How much is a $30000 student loan per month?

A $30,000 private student loan can cost approximately $159.51 per month to $737.38 per month, depending on your interest rate and the term you choose. But, you may be able to cut your cost by comparing your options, improving your credit score or getting a cosigner.

Is 50k a lot of student debt?

Having $50,000 in student loan debt can be a tremendous financial burden. Depending on your interest rate and the types of loans you have, the payments can amount to a very large portion of your monthly budget.

How long does it take to pay off 30k in student loans?

For example, if you had $30,000 in student loans at 7% interest and a 10-year loan term, your monthly payment would be $348. Over the life of your loan, you'd repay a total of $41,799; interest charges would cause your balance to grow by over $11,000.

I Racked Up $146,000 in Student Loan Debt!!

36 related questions found

How much would a $70000 student loan be monthly?

The monthly payment on a $70,000 student loan ranges from $742 to $6,285, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $70,000 student loan and pay it back in 10 years at an APR of 5%, your monthly payment will be $742.

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

On average, people with student loans have spent just over 21 years paying back their loans. Federal student loans offer repayment plans that last from 10 to 30 years. Private student loan repayment terms vary.

How much would a $3,000 loan cost per month?

The monthly payment on a $3,000 personal loan will depend on the loan term and the interest rate. For example, the monthly payment on a two-year $3,000 loan with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 12% would be $141.22. The monthly payment on a $3,000 loan with a six-year term and an APR of 12% would be $58.65.

What age do people pay off student loans?

You're not alone if you are still paying off your student loans from your college education years ago. In fact, many Americans are paying their student loans well into middle age. A 2019 study from New York Life found that the average age when people finally pay off their student loans for good is 45.

Do student loans affect credit scores?

Key Takeaways:

Your loans' payment history, length of credit, and hard inquiries of private student loans can all have an impact on your credit score. Keep track of all payments and due dates and consistently monitor your credit reports to help you manage your student loans.

How to pay off student loans when you are broke?

Cut expenses and increase income to generate enough money to make payments. Contact your loan servicers and sign up for an income-driven repayment plan. Consolidate your loans to lower monthly payments. Extend the “honeymoon” a little longer by seeking deferment or forbearance.

How many people don't pay student loans?

The average federal student loan debt balance is $38,375, while the total average balance (including private loan debt) may be as high as $41,520. 4.86% of federal student loans dollars were in default as of 2024's fourth financial quarter (2024 Q4); 1.61% of private student loans were in default as of 2024 Q1.

What is the average student loan debt by age?

According to the Federal Reserve, 30-39-year-olds have an average student loan debt of $42,014. 40-49-year-olds possess an average student loan debt of $44,798. In 2022, under 30-year-olds took out an average of $23,795 in student loans per year. Adults 60 and over owe less than 10% of the national student loan debt.

What is the average student loan debt for a bachelor's degree?

The average federal student loan debt is $37,853 per borrower. Outstanding private student loan debt totals $128.8 billion. The average student borrows over $30,000 to pursue a bachelor's degree.

How long does it take doctors to pay off student loans?

Data Summary. Each year, thousands of medical school students graduate with roughly $3 billion in total student loan debt. In 2023, the median medical school debt was $200,000. Borrowers with medical school debt may take 20-25 years to repay federal loans in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

Are student loans hard to pay off?

Student loan debt can feel overwhelming and take decades to pay off. The standard federal student loan repayment term is 10 years, but the average student borrower takes 20 years to fully repay their debt. Fortunately, there are many options to shorten this timeline to get out of debt quicker.

What is a reasonable monthly student loan payment?

Average Student Loan Payments

As of May 30, 2023, the average monthly payment for federal student loans was estimated to be about $500 per month when adjusted for inflation. However, the final number depends on the type of loan, loan amount, interest rates, and repayment plan.

What is 6% interest on a $30,000 loan?

For example, the interest on a $30,000, 36-month loan at 6% is $2,856. The same loan ($30,000 at 6%) paid back over 72 months would cost $5,797 in interest. Even small changes in your rate can impact how much total interest amount you pay overall.

Are student loan payments tax deductible?

Student loan interest is interest you paid during the year on a qualified student loan. It includes both required and voluntarily prepaid interest payments. You may deduct the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of interest you actually paid during the year.

How fast do most people pay off student loans?

On average, it takes about 10–20 years to pay off a student loan. But with the right strategy, you can pay off your loans way faster! (I'm about to blow your mind.) Exactly how long it will take you to pay off your student loans depends on your original loan balance, your repayment plan and how much you pay each month.

What are current student loan rates?

Federal loans are available to graduate and professional students with an interest rate of 8.08%; parents can borrow PLUS* loans at 9.08%. 90.79% of all student loan debt is federal; the remaining 9.21% is private loan debt. Private student loans, including refinance** loans, start as low as 3.45%.

How much student debt is too much?

Regardless, one rule of thumb for student debt is that you should try not to borrow more than the first year salary you can expect in your chosen field. For example, if you expect to earn $38,000 in the first year of your career, you should try to borrow $38,000 or less for your degree.