What's the average student debt?

Asked by: Aimee Kunze I  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (3 votes)

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.

How much student debt is normal?

The total average student loan debt (including private loan debt) may be as high as $40,681. 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.

Is $100,000 in student debt a lot?

Adults with a postgraduate degree are especially likely to have a large amount of student loan debt. About a quarter of these advanced degree holders who borrowed (26%) owed $100,000 or more in 2023, compared with 9% of all borrowers.

Is $30,000 a lot for student loans?

Anymore, $30000 is about an average student loan debt upon graduation. At most state schools (including room and board), that $30000 represents a little under 1/3 the total retail cost to attend. So, that amount of debt is not objectively unreasonable in light of the cost of college.

Is $50,000 in student loans bad?

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.

What Everyone's Getting Wrong About Student Loans

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Is 70k in student loans bad?

What is considered a lot of student loan debt? A lot of student loan debt is more than you can afford to repay after graduation. For many, this means having more than $70,000 – $100,000 in total student debt.

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.

How many people graduate debt free?

Key Takeaways. More than four in ten students at public four-year universities complete their bachelor's degree with zero debt. Nearly eight in ten students graduate with less than $30,000 in debt.

How many student loan borrowers owe more than $100,000?

Overall, more than 10% of graduate and professional students owe $100,000 or more in federal and private student loan debt, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. (For comparison, less than 1% of students borrow above that amount for bachelor's degree programs.)

Can I buy a house with 100k in student loans?

Yes, home buyers with student loans can qualify for a mortgage because you don't need to be 100% debt-free to buy a house. However, when a lender evaluates your application, they will look at your current debt, including your student loans.

How to pay off $100k in debt in 2 years?

How To Eliminate $100,000 of Debt
  1. Recognize You Have a Big Problem on Your Hands. ...
  2. Make a Plan. ...
  3. List Out All Your Debts. ...
  4. Create a Hard Budget. ...
  5. Focus On Paying Off Debts With the Highest Interest Rates First. ...
  6. Don't Skimp On an Emergency Fund. ...
  7. Get a Personal Loan To Consolidate Debt. ...
  8. Consider Debt Resolution (Settlement)

How many Americans have over $1000000 in student debt?

Behind the numbers (WSJ): Due to escalating tuition and easy credit, the U.S. has 101 people who owe at least $1 million in federal student loans, according to the Education Department. Five years ago, 14 people owed that much. More could join that group.

What is considered high student debt?

Based on our analysis, if you are a man and owe more than $100,000, or a woman and owe more than $70,000, you have high student loan debt and your debt is likely not worth the income you'll earn over your lifetime.

What is the average student debt per person in Canada?

The average student loan debt in Canada is $28,000. With factors like gender, age, location, and program of study impacting the amount of debt a borrower takes on, many people can't afford to pursue post-secondary education but also can't afford not to.

Is debt necessary in life?

Many people believe that having no debt is ideal, but often, debt can be considered good for your finances if it helps you build wealth. For example, if you can't afford to buy a home with cash, you may go into debt with a mortgage.

Who has the highest student debt in the world?

The #1 most expensive place to go to college in the world

Student debt is making headlines in the UK as student debt balloons. However, their repayment structure looks quite different from the US's. University graduates begin loan repayment once they earn over the income threshold amount for their repayment plan.

Is graduating with no debt good?

You'll have less financial stress.

Student loan stress can affect your physical well-being as well as your personal financial health. And having more student loan debt can increase stress. With less debt, you can stress less and focus on your growing career post-graduation.

At what age does the average person pay off their 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.

What is the smartest way to pay off student loans?

Here are seven strategies to help you pay off student loans fast.
  1. Make extra payments toward the principal. ...
  2. Enroll in autopay. ...
  3. Make biweekly payments. ...
  4. Pay off interest before it capitalizes. ...
  5. Stick to the standard repayment plan. ...
  6. Refinance if you have good credit, a steady job and private loans.

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 $60,000 in debt in 2 years?

Here are seven tips that can help:
  1. Figure out your budget.
  2. Reduce your spending.
  3. Stop using your credit cards.
  4. Look for extra income and cash.
  5. Find a payoff method you'll stick with.
  6. Look into debt consolidation.
  7. Know when to call it quits.

Is 100K in debt a lot?

A $100k Debt can sound like a lot. But with a structured plan, it can become more manageable. The speed at which you can pay off $100K depends on a few things. The loan's interest rate is a big factor among many.

Can you live comfortably with student loans?

To make loan payments comfortably, you'll need to maintain a manageable debt-to-income ratio. For example, if your expected starting salary is $35,000 per year ($2,916 per month) a monthly student loan payment of 8 percent should be no more than $233.