What percent of people owe more than $100000 in student loan debt?

Asked by: Lola Mraz  |  Last update: February 27, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (31 votes)

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 it normal to have $100,000 in student loans?

High debt may limit your ability to save for retirement, buy a home, or invest. In general, while $100000 in student loans is a significant amount, its appropriateness varies based on these factors. It's essential to evaluate your specific situation and consider seeking financial advice if needed.

How much does the average person owe in student debt?

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.

Who owes the majority of student debt?

Among student borrowers, women take out an average of $31,276, while men borrow an average of $29,270, according to a 2021 data analysis by the American Association of University Women. Black women owe a disproportionate amount of student debt.

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

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.

The BEST Strategy for Paying off Federal Student Loans FAST (It’s not what you think!)

26 related questions found

Who is the billionaire that paid off student debt?

Billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off student loans for every member of Morehouse College's graduating class. The Ivy League-educated business leader made his fortune investing in software firms and other tech companies.

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.

What is the average monthly payment on a 100 000 student loan?

The monthly payment on a $100,000 student loan ranges from $1,061 to $8,979, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $100,000 student loan and pay it back in 10 years at an APR of 5%, your monthly payment will be $1,061.

What is the average student loan payment?

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. 42% of borrowers are on the standard 10 year or less plan with fixed payments.

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.

What is the average credit card debt in the US?

The average U.S. household has credit card debt of about $6,100, according to the Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, issued in November 2023.

What is considered a lot of student 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 people have more than $1000000 in student loans?

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.

Is 200k a lot in student loans?

This can leave borrowers with six-figure education debt worried that typical student loan advice may not apply to their situation. And the number of borrowers with high education debt is growing. As of 2023, there are one million federal student loan borrowers who owe $200,000 or more, according to StudentAid.gov.

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 a reasonable monthly student loan payment?

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.

How much would a $100000 loan cost per month?

Assuming principal and interest only, the monthly payment on a $100,000 loan with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 6% would be $599.55 for a 30-year term and $843.86 for a 15-year mortgage.

Is 100k student debt worth it?

A good rule of thumb is that total borrowing should not exceed the expected starting salary. If the average graduate finds a six-figure job, $100,000 in student debt might be a good idea. If the starting salary at graduation looks more like $50k, then students should look for ways to minimize 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.)

Which generation has the most student loan debt?

By most measurements, Gen X is deeper in debt than other generations. Members of Gen X — born roughly from 1965 to 1980 — have the highest average debt stemming from student loans, credit cards and more.

How long does it take to pay off $100 K student loans?

On average, it takes about 10–20 years to pay off a student loan.

What race holds the most student 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.

Which black billionaire pays college tuition?

Billionaire who said he would pay off Morehouse student debt admits to tax fraud. Robert Smith, the billionaire who went viral last year for paying off the debt of students at Morehouse College, admitted to an illegal scheme to conceal income and evade taxes by using offshore trusts and bank accounts for 15 years.

Who suffers the most from student debt?

Meanwhile, adults between the ages of 35 and 49 years old on average owe the most student loan debt.
  • 34% of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 owe student loan debt.
  • 22% of adults between the ages of 30 and 44 owe student debt.
  • 7% of those between the ages of 45 and 59 owe student debt.