What is the average college student debt in 2023?

Asked by: Lamont Anderson  |  Last update: September 4, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (53 votes)

The average debt of graduates varies based on institution type, per U.S. News data. Those who graduated in 2023 from a ranked private college borrowed more on average, at $32,062, than public college graduates, who took out $25,283.

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

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. Overall, only 1% of all U.S. adults owed at least $100,000.

Is $10,000 a lot of student debt?

The average outstanding federal student loan debt per borrower is $37,853. 52.6% of indebted borrowers owe $20,000 or less in federal student loans. 32.1% of indebted student borrowers owe $10,000 or less in federal student loans.

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

About half of students at four-year public universities finished their bachelor's degree* without any debt and 78 percent graduated with less than $30,000 in debt. Only 4 percent of public university graduates left with more than $60,000.

How much is $200 000 in student loans monthly payment?

Let's say you have $200,000 in student loans at 6% interest on a 10-year repayment term. Your monthly payments would be $2,220. If you can manage an additional $200 a month, you could save a total of $7,796 while trimming a year off your repayment plan.

What Everyone's Getting Wrong About Student Loans

30 related questions found

What is a healthy amount of student debt?

It's an easy way to look up your intended career along with statistics related to its growth potential, projected need, and average starting salary. Monthly loan payments should be no more than 8-10 percent of expected gross monthly income.

At what age do people pay off student loans?

The average student borrower takes 20 years to pay off their student loan debt. 43% of borrowers are on the standard 10 years or less plan with fixed payments. Some professional graduates take over 45 years to repay student loans.

What is considered a lot of college 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.

How many Americans have credit card debt?

Slightly fewer Americans carry credit card debt than did earlier this year and late last year. 48% of credit cardholders report having a credit card balance, compared to 50% in June 2024 and 49% in November 2023. The most common reason for credit card debt is emergency or unexpected expenses.

How many people actually pay off their student loans?

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.

Is it a parent's responsibility to pay back their children's student loans?

When the time comes to start making payments, only the student is obligated to repay these loans — not the parents. In fact, there's no co-signer. If the student defaults on a federal student loan, it will affect the student's credit and won't be reported on the parent's credit history.

What is the average student loan debt for doctors?

Between medical school and undergraduate study, physicians must pay for 8 years of postsecondary education before they can work as doctors. Medical school graduates owe an average of $243,483 in total educational debt, premedical debt included.

What racial group has the most student loan debt?

Who has the most student loan debt by race? Black adults are more likely to have student loan debt than those in other racial or ethnic groups. They are more likely than white adults to hold student debt at every level of educational attainment.

How long does it take the average person 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.

What is the credit limit for college graduates capped at?

Credible takeaways. Graduate students can borrow as much as $20,500 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a lifetime limit of $138,500, including undergraduate loans. Federal graduate PLUS loans provide financing beyond Direct Unsubsidized Loans but they require a credit check.

What college has the most student debt?

Atop the list is Maine Maritime Academy, where 2019 graduates who borrowed left with an average debt load of $56,897 – nearly $27,000 above the average among all ranked colleges.

What is too much to pay for college?

Don't borrow more in total student loans than what you think you'll make in salary in your first year out of college. Your monthly payments should be no more than 8% of what you expect your gross income will be. Your monthly payments should not exceed 20% of your discretionary income.

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

Among master's degree completers who had student loans, the average balance was higher for those who attended private for-profit institutions ($90,300) than for those who attended private nonprofit institutions ($71,900), and both were higher than the average balance for those who attended public institutions ($54,500) ...

Do student loans stop at age 65?

No, the federal government doesn't forgive student loans at age 50, 65, or when borrowers retire and start drawing Social Security benefits. So, for example, you'll still owe Parent PLUS Loans, FFEL Loans, and Direct Loans after you retire.

What generation has the most college debt?

Student Loan Debt by Generation
  • 18.5 million Millennials have outstanding student loan debt; 39.9% of all borrowers are Millennials.
  • Generation X has the highest average student loan balance; the average Gen X borrower owed $44,240 in 2024.

At what age do most doctors pay off their student loans?

Consistent and on-time payments will see an average medical graduate concluding loan repayments around age 50. This long-term commitment underscores the need for strategic financial planning, as it will significantly influence the personal and professional aspects of a physician's life for decades.

How much college debt does the average American have?

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 many people are not paying student loans?

The Qualtrics/Intuit Credit Karma report found 20 percent of borrowers hadn't made any payments on their loans. The percentage was even higher, at 27 percent, for borrowers who made less than $50,000 a year.

What percentage of college students have a credit card?

Getting a credit card can be a smart financial move for college students, offering a range of benefits and opportunities to build a solid credit history early on. According to student loan provider Sallie Mae, about 57% of students have a credit card.