Student Loan Statistics 2025 (Debt Data & Insights)

As education costs continue to rise, student loans are the only source for many students to pursue higher education.

Currently, 43.2 million U.S. students have borrowed student loans worth $1.73 trillion.

The students who completed their courses owe most student loans, and female students are more likely to take out loans than male students.

This article will cover some essential statistics about student loan debt, loan borrowers, loan repayment, and forgiveness programs.

Student Loan Statistics 2025: Top Highlights

  • Americans owe $1.73 trillion worth of student loan debt.
  • The average student loan debt is around $37,088.
  • Federal student loan debt was estimated at $1.63 trillion in 2022.
  • Private student loan debt was around $122.70 billion in 2022. 
  • 62% of student loans in the U.S. were in forbearance in 2023.
  • An average of $63,826 per borrower was forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Student Loan Debt Statistics

College tuition expenses have only increased with time, and students take out loans to pursue higher education.

Student loan debt is a convenient way for students to get degrees without paying the fees beforehand.

However, the bigger loan amounts have become a major reason for students to drop out of institutes without completing their program.

The Student Loan Debt In The United States Amounts To $1.73 Trillion

In 2022, the total student loan debt in the U.S. was around $1.76 trillion, which decreased by 2.09% in 2023.

The total amount of student loan debt in the U.S. has declined since the third quarter of 2023.

Around $1.74 trillion was given to students in the form of student loans in the year 2021. 

Here is a table showing the total student loan debt in the U.S. over the years:

YearTotal Student Loan DebtYoY Change
Q4 2023$1.727 trillion-2.09%
Q3 2023$1.732 trillion-1.66%
Q2 2023$1.761 trillion0.99%
Q1 2023$1.774 trillion1.57%
Q4 2022$1.764 trillion1.28%
Q3 2022$1.761 trillion 1.28%
Q2 2022$1.744 trillion1.45%
Q1 2022$1.747 trillion1.67%
Q4 2021$1.733 trillion2.34%
Q3 2021$1.739 trillion2.53%
Q2 2021$1.719 trillion2.78%
Q1 2021$1.718 trillion2.80%
Q4 2020$1.693 trillion3.42%
Q3 2020 $1.696 trillion3.75%
Q2 2020$1.672 trillion4.32%
Q1 2020$1.671 trillion4.65%

Source: Education Data

The Average Student Loan Debt Is Around $37,088 In The U.S.

The average student loan debt has consistently risen over the past decades.

In 2020, the average student loan debt was around $36,510, which peaked in 2022, reaching over $37,575. 

The average student loan debt in the U.S. has increased by over $10,820 between 2013 and 2023. 

Average Student Loan Debt Over The Years

The table shows the average student loan debt in the United States over the years:

YearAverage Student Loan Debt
2023$37,088
2022$37,575
2021$37,113
2020$36,510
2019$35,205
2018$33,548
2017$32,087
2016$30,548
2015$29,144
2014$27,759
2013$26,268
2012$24,757
2011$23,238
2010$21,860

Source: Best Colleges

Federal Student Loan Debt Amounted To Around $1.63 Trillion In 2022

On the other hand, the private student loan debt was around $122.70 billion in 2022. 

$1.61 trillion was given as federal student loan debt in 2021, while private student loan debt was around $122.70 billion.

In 2020, nearly $1.56 trillion in federal student loan debt was given to students, and $127.60 billion was private student loan debt.

Here is a table showing the distribution of student loan debt by federal and private student loan over the years:

YearFederal Student Loan DebtPrivate Student Loan Debt
2022$1.634 trillion$122.70 billion
2021$1.610 trillion$122.70 billion
2020$1.566 trillion$127.60 billion
2019$1.510 trillion$127.6 billion
2018$1.439 trillion$127.70 billion

Source: Education Data

9.5 Million U.S. Students Have A Loan Valued Between $10,000 To $20,000

As of July 2023, about 10 million students in the United States have student loan debt of $20,000 to $40,000. 

2.5 million students have $100,000 to $200,000 in student loan debt, while 1 million have loans over $200,000.

Furthermore, 7 million students have a loan balance of less than $5,000 in the U.S.

Here is a table showing the number of student loan borrowers by loan amount in the United States:

Student Loan BalanceNumber Of Students
Less than $5,0007 million
$5,000 to $10,0007.8 million
$10,000 to $20,0009.5 million
$20,000 to $40,00010 million
$40,000 to $60,0004.4 million
$60,000 to $80,0002.6 million
$80,000 to $100,0001.4 million
$100,000 to $200,0002.5 million
More than $200,0001 million

Source: Statista

24% Of U.S. Students Borrowed Student Loans In The Academic Year 2022- 2023

This was a 2% increase from the academic year 2021-22. Around 22% of U.S. students took student loans in the academic year 2021-22.

In the academic year 2017- 18, 35% of college students borrowed federal loans. This was the highest percentage of students taking federal loans over the years.

During the pandemic, 27% of U.S. students took federal loans, a 3% increase from the pre-pandemic year 2019-20.

Here is a table showing the percentage of U.S. college students who took federal loans over the years:

Academic YearPercentage Of College Students
2022 – 2324%
2021 – 2222%
2020 – 2127%
2019 – 2030%
2018 – 1935%
2017 – 1831%
2016 – 1733%
2015 – 16 25%
2014 – 1530%
2013 – 1428%
2012 – 1329%
2011 – 1234%

Source: Statista

$15.26 Billion Were Distributed Via The Subsidized Stafford Loan Program During 2022-23 In The United States 

In that same year, $43.67 billion was given to students through the Unsubsidized Stafford, and $11.24 billion was given through the Parent PLUS program.

In 2021-22, around $47.85 billion was disbursed through the Unsubsidized Stafford program, and $16.96 billion was disbursed via the Subsidized Stafford program.

Here is a table showing the total loan amount disbursed by various loan programs in the United States:

YearSubsidized StaffordUnsubsidized Stafford Parent PLUSGrad PLUS
2022 – 23$15.25 billion$43.67 billion$11.24 billion$13.28 billion
2021 – 22$16.96 billion$47.85 billion$11.27 billion$13.52 billion
2020 – 21 $18.72 billion$52.37 billion$11.35 billion$13.29 billion
2019 – 20 $21.56 billion $54.51 billion$14.14 billion$12.84 billion
2018 – 19$23.09 billion $55.84 billion$14.90 billion$12.51 billion
2017 – 18$24.96 billion $58.22 billion$15.21 billion$12.29 billion

Source: Statista

Student Loan Debt By State

The federal student loan debt in the United States has almost tripled in the past 10 to 15 years.

The average federal student loan debt in the U.S. is about $37,090, and states like DC and Maryland have the highest average student debt.

This section will cover the statistics about student loan debt by states in the U.S.

The District of Columbia Has The Highest Average Student Loan Debt, At Roughly $53,780

Maryland comes in second with an average student loan debt of around $42,280. 

Florida has an average of about $38,060 in student loan debt, while New York has an average debt of around $37,430.

California students have an average debt of around $36,890, and Vermont has an average student loan debt of $36,990.

Here is a table showing the top 15 states with the highest student loan debt in the United States:

NumberStateAverage Student Loan Debt
1.District of Columbia$53,780
2.Maryland$42,280
3.Georgia$40,800
4.Virginia$38,900
5.Florida$38,060
6.Illinois$37,640
7.South Carolina$37,550
8.North Carolina$37,490
9.New York$37,430
10.Delaware$37,340
11.Vermont$36,990
12.Oregon$36,990
13.Hawaii$36,920
14.California$36,890
15.Alabama$36,590

Source: Best Colleges

North Dakota Has The Lowest Average Student Loan Debt Of Approximately $28,920

The state of Iowa has an average loan debt of around $29,940. This represents a difference of around $7,148 from the national average.

South Dakota has an average student debt of $29,980, and Texas students have an average of $32,720 in student loan debt.

Here is a table showing the top 15 states with the lowest student loan debt in the United States:

NumberStateAverage Student Loan Debt
1.North Dakota$28,920
2.Iowa$29,940
3.South Dakota$29,980
4.Puerto Rico$30,000
5.Wyoming$30,360
6.Oklahoma$31,180
7.West Virginia$31,260
8.Nebraska$31,340
9.Wisconsin$31,680
10.Kansas$32,160
11.Indiana$32,210
12.Rhode Island$32,320
13.Idaho$32,400
14.Kentucky$32,610
15.Texas$32,720

Source: Best Colleges 

Student Loan Borrowers Statistics

Student loan borrowers or students are diverse and come from all races and ethnicities.

The majority of borrowers are students who have already completed their college courses.

Let us explore the statistics regarding the demographics of student loan borrowers.

47% Of Females Have Borrowed Student Loans Compared To 40% Of Males

Women are more likely to take student loans than men, while men pay back the debt faster than women.

Half of the Black adults in the U.S. have borrowed student loans, and 37% of Hispanics or Latinos were likely to take student loans.

White men have an average student debt of around $7,700, and white women have an average student debt of $9,600.

Here is a table showing the average student debt by gender and race:

Student Average Student Loan Debt
White men$7,700
White women$9,600
Hispanic men$7,400
Hispanic women$6,700
Black men$7,900
Black women$11,000

Source: St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank

People Aged Between 35 And 49 Years Have Student Debt Of $624.4 Billion

This age group represents the largest total outstanding debt in the U.S.

On the other hand, people aged 25 to 34 years have student loan debt of about $491.4 billion.

Further, adults aged between 50 and 61 years have a total outstanding debt of $278.5 billion.

Student Loan Debt To Be Paid By Age Group

Here is a table showing the student loan debt of federal student loan borrowers in the United States by age group:

Age GroupStudent Loan Debt To Be Paid
24 years and younger$100 billion
25 to 34 years$491.4 billion
35 to 49 years$624.4 billion
50 to 61 years$278.5 billion
62 years and older$109.8 billion

Source: Statista

Borrowers Aged 25 To 34 Have An Average Loan Debt Per Borrower Of $32,707.48

With an average loan balance of $49,375 per borrower, U.S. citizens over the age of 62 had the highest average student loan debt across all age groups.

U.S. citizens aged between 35 and 49 years have an average student loan balance of $44,441.67 per borrower.

Students aged 24 and younger have the lowest loan debt per borrower, averaging $13,722.22. 

Source: Statista

Student Loan Debt Repayment Statistics

Student loans play an important role in many students’ completing education. 

However, many borrowers face significant difficulties in repaying these loans, which affects their financial well-being and shapes their future financial decisions.

Let’s explore some statistics about student loan debt repayment.

62% Of Student Loans In The U.S. Were In Forbearance In 2023

Only 1% of federal education loan recipients in the United States were in repayment in 2023.

To minimize the financial impact of the pandemic on borrowers, the U.S. Congress moved student loans into forbearance. 

Around 15% of loan recipients defaulted, while 13% were in school.

Distribution of Federal Education Loan Recipients

The table below shows the distribution of federal education loan recipients in the United States:

Repayment StatusPercentage Of Student Loan Recipients
Forbearance62%
Default15%
In school13%
Deferment7%
Grace2%
Repayment1%

Source: Statista

Black Student Loan Recipients Had A Loan Default Rate Of 34.4%

This was the highest loan default rate in the United States in 2022.

Hispanics had a student loan default rate of 26.6%, while White loan recipients had a student loan default rate of 12.5%.

With 7.5%, Asians had the lowest student loan default rate.

Source: Statista

65% Of Loan Receivers Aged 18 To 29 Indicated They Would Fully Pay Off Their Student Loan Debts

In contrast, 49% of loan recipients aged between 45 and 64 reported that they could not fully pay off their student loan debts.

16% of students aged 18 to 29 and 36% aged 30 to 44 did not believe they could repay their student loan debt.

Source: Statista

Student Loan Forgiveness Statistics

As the burden of student loans continues to impact individuals and families, governments and policymakers are exploring options for student loan forgiveness programs.

Governments are developing various relief programs to help students repay their loans and continue studying.

In this section, let us explore statistics and facts about student loan forgiveness.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Forgave An Average Amount Of $63,826 Per Borrower

On average, federal student loan forgiveness programs forgave approximately $21,347 in debt for eligible borrowers across the United States.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program pardoned around $8,460 per borrower, and the total Permanent Disability Program forgave $18,056 per loan borrower.

Source: Statista

57% Of U.S. Black Adults Wanted To Reenroll In College If Student Loans Were Forgiven 

49% of Hispanic adults were most likely to reenroll, while 37% of White adults wanted to reenroll if their current student loans were forgiven.

In addition, 46% of students who stopped out of their bachelor’s degree were more inclined towards reenrolling if their student loans were nulled out.

Source: Statista

Related Read:

Conclusion: US Students Crushed By $37k Loan Debt, Forgiveness Rare

Student loan debt is a burden carried by millions of students, and people who completed their education make up the majority.

With an average student loan debt of $37,088, nearly 43.2 million U.S. citizens have borrowed student loans.

Governments and policymakers are working tirelessly to develop more loan relief programs to help borrowers repay their loans.

These were some of the most important statistics regarding student loan debt, loan borrowers, loan repayment, and forgiveness.

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