Is $60,000 in student loan debt a lot?

Asked by: Blair Crist  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (62 votes)

According to Federal Student Aid, average parent PLUS loan debt is around $30,000. If this debt is passed along to the college graduate, their debt load is approximately $60,000 when combined with maximum federal student loan borrowing.

Is 60,000 student loans a lot?

Graduating with $60000 in student loan debt is not abnormal. According to The Wall Street Journal, 2015 baccalaureate graduates had an average of $35000 in student loan debt.

What is considered a lot of student loan debt?

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.

Is $50,000 in student loans bad?

Yes, $50000 is a significant amount of student debt. It is important to consider the potential impact on your finances and future plans before taking on such a large amount of debt.

How to pay off $50,000 student loans fast?

How to Pay Off Your Student Loans Fast
  1. Pay more than the minimum payment.
  2. Get on a budget.
  3. Cut back your spending.
  4. Increase your income.
  5. Refinance your loans (only if it makes sense).
  6. Avoid income-driven repayment plans (IDRs).
  7. Don't bank on student loan forgiveness.
  8. Make paying off your student loans a priority.

How I Paid Off Over $60,000 In Student Loan Debt in 9 Months

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What is a manageable amount of student loan debt?

One rule to live by is to try to limit your total amount of student loans to a small percentage of what your expected annual salary may be from the first job you get after college. For example, you could decide that your monthly loan payment should be no more than 10 percent of your gross income.

What is the average age 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.

How much student debt is healthy?

Personal finance specialists often advise students to take on less student loan debt than the average starting salary of their desired career. If you stick to this guideline, specialists say, you should be able to repay your loans within ten years.

How much is 60000 in student loans a month?

10 years X 12 months in a year = 120 in a 10 year span. $60,000 / 120 = $500 a month. Add $100 to $200 a month to cover the interest. Find your APR and find a online calculator to get the exact payment based.

How fast do most people pay off student loans?

The time it takes to repay student loans typically ranges from 20 to 30 years, depending on factors such as the degree attained, the chosen repayment plan, and the borrower's financial situation. Standard repayment plans usually take about 10-30 years, while income-driven repayment plans can extend up to 25 years.

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.

How many people have over $100,000 in student loans?

Overall, only 1% of all U.S. adults owed at least $100,000. Young college graduates with student loans are more likely than those without this kind of debt to say they struggle financially.

What is the average debt for a 40 year old?

Here's the average debt balances by age group: Gen Z (ages 18 to 23): $9,593. Millennials (ages 24 to 39): $78,396. Gen X (ages 40 to 55): $135,841.

How many people don't pay off their student loans?

Roughly 42.7 million Americans have outstanding federal student loan debt — that's about 12.5% of the U.S. population, per census data.

How much does the average person pay a month for student loans?

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.

Is $50,000 a lot of student debt?

With $50,000 in student loan debt, your monthly payments could be quite expensive. Depending on how much debt you have and your interest rate, your payments will likely be about $500 per month or more. Your potential savings from refinancing will vary based on your loan terms.

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.

Is $80000 a lot of student debt?

As of March 2020, 45% of the outstanding federal education loan debt was held by the 10% of borrowers owing $80,000 or more. Student loan debt is the second largest debt, aside from a mortgage, in a household. 83% of borrowers have a loan balance of $50,000 or less.

What is a healthy amount of student loan debt?

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.

How long does it take most people to pay off their 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.

Is 30 000 a lot of student loan debt?

If you racked up $30,000 in student loan debt, you're right in line with typical numbers: the average student loan balance per borrower is $33,654. Compared to others who have six-figures worth of debt, that loan balance isn't too bad. However, your student loans can still be a significant burden.