Data Summary. The average federal student loan payment is about $302 for bachelor's and $208 for associate degree-completers. The average monthly repayment for master's degree-holders is about $688.
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.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends limiting monthly student debt payments to no more than 10% of your gross monthly income. Borrowers with a relatively low income may pay considerably less if they opt for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.
On average, it takes about 10–20 years to pay off a student loan.
That's what makes living with student loan debt so challenging. For example, if you have a $100,000 loan balance with a 7% interest rate and a 10-year repayment term, you'll owe $39,330 in interest payments over the life of the loan. So your $100,000 loan becomes $139,330, with monthly payments of $1,161.
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.
Any borrower with ED-held loans that have accumulated time in repayment of at least 20 or 25 years will see automatic forgiveness, even if the loans are not currently on an IDR plan. Borrowers with FFELP loans held by commercial lenders or Perkins loans not held by ED can benefit if they consolidate into Direct Loans.
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.
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.
For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount.
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.
On the Standard Plan, your monthly payments are a fixed amount of at least $50 each month. The exact payment amount is calculated so that you pay off the entire loan amount (including the interest that accrues) before the end of your repayment period.
How student loans affect your credit score. Student loans are a type of installment loan, similar to a car loan, personal loan, or mortgage. They are part of your credit report, and can impact your payment history, length of your credit history and credit mix. Paying on time could help your score.
Student Debt in Perspective
Among those who borrow, the average debt at graduation is $27,100 — or $6,775 for each year of a four-year degree at a public university. Among all public university graduates, including those who didn't borrow, the average debt at graduation is $16,300.
While this figure can vary based on factors such as location, family size, and lifestyle preferences, a common range for a good monthly salary is between $6,000 and $8,333 for individuals.
Quick Take: The 75/15/10 Budgeting Rule
The 75/15/10 rule is a simple way to budget and allocate your paycheck. This is when you divert 75% of your income to needs such as everyday expenses, 15% to long-term investing and 10% for short-term savings. It's all about creating a balanced and practical plan for your money.
By age 30, you should have saved about $52,000, assuming you're earning a relatively average salary. This target number is based on the rule of thumb you should aim to have about one year's salary saved by the time you're entering your fourth decade.
After at least 20 years of student loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan — IDR forgiveness and 20-year student loan forgiveness. After 25 years if you borrowed loans for graduate school — 25-year federal loan forgiveness.
If you work full time for a government or nonprofit organization, you may qualify for forgiveness of the entire remaining balance of your Direct Loans after you've made 120 qualifying payments—i.e., at least 10 years of payments. To benefit from PSLF, you need to repay your federal student loans under an IDR plan.
Consequences of Not Paying Student Loans for 7 Years
Federal student loans can remain on your credit report indefinitely until they're paid off —- there is no statute of limitations. Defaulted student loans from private lenders may fall off your credit report after seven years.
Report Highlights. 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.
20% of U.S. adults report having paid off student loan debt. The 5-year annual average student loan debt growth rate is 15%. The average student loan debt growth rate outpaces rising tuition costs by 166.9%. In a single year, 31.5% of undergraduate students accepted federal loans.
There is no specific age to pay off your mortgage, but a common rule of thumb is to be debt-free by your early to mid-60s. It may make sense to do so if you're retiring within the next few years and have the cash to pay off your mortgage, particularly if your money is in a low-interest savings account.