Student Loan Calculator (2024)

What is the average student loan debt?

Rick Bormin, Personal Loans Moderator

@rhandoo2020

The average student loan debt is just over $37,000, according to data from the Department of Education. There is approximately $1.592 trillion in outstanding federal student loan debt as of the second quarter of 2021, and there are 42.9 million individual borrowers. Federal loans make up 92% of all student loan debt.

Average Student Loan Debt by Year

Year

Average Student Loan Debt

2021

$37,100

2020

$36,200

2019

$35,200

2018

$33,500

2017

$32,100

Note: All numbers are for Q4 of the year in question, except for the current year, which is the latest quarter. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.

The average student loan debt is very high in fact, it's actually more than the typical personal income in the U.S., which is $36,000. Student loan debt is also the second largest form of household debt after mortgages.

Some people are hit harder by student loan debt than others, though. People in Utah, Hawaii and California have the most student loan debt on average. People in South Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wyoming have the least.

Student Loan Calculator (2024)

FAQs

How much is $60000 in student loans monthly payment? ›

What is the monthly payment on a $60,000 student loan? The monthly payment on a $60,000 student loan ranges from $636 to $5,387, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $60,000 student loan and pay it back in 10 years at an APR of 5%, your monthly payment will be $636.

How much is 100k in student loans a month? ›

The standard repayment plan
Debt amountInterest rate for Direct Unsubsidized undergraduate loans (2023–2024 rates)Monthly payment under the 10-year standard repayment plan
$80,0005.50%$868
$100,0005.50%$1,085
$120,0005.50%$1,302
May 28, 2024

How much is the student loan payment on $35000? ›

A $35,000 student loan balance with an average interest rate of 6.8% paid over a 10 year term will have a monthly payment of $403. In total, the loan will cost $48,334 with $13,334 in interest.

Is $70,000 in student loans a lot? ›

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 of total student debt.

Is $80,000 in student loans bad? ›

The average student loan debt owed per borrower is $28,950, so $80K is a larger-than-average sum. However, paying off your balance is possible. Since payments on an $80,000 balance can be high, extending the repayment term to lower monthly payments may be tempting.

Is $30,000 a lot for student loans? ›

Many college students end up needing at least some loans. But the long-term burden of debt can be overwhelming, with the average Class of 2021 graduate leaving school with more than $29,000 in federal and private student loan obligations. Few students manage to pay off these loans within the standard 10 years.

How can I pay off $100K in student loans in 5 years? ›

7 Ways To Pay Off $100K Student Loans
  1. Ask Your Employer for Help. ...
  2. Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness. ...
  3. Consider an Income-Driven Repayment Plan. ...
  4. Start a Side Hustle and Make Extra Payments. ...
  5. Use Your Tax Refund To Pay Down Debt. ...
  6. Tap Into Unused 529 Funds. ...
  7. Refinance Student Loans.
Aug 29, 2023

What does the average person pay in student loans a month? ›

The average monthly student loan payment is an estimated $503 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.

How much is the average student loan for 4 years? ›

College Board found that student loan borrowers at public four-year schools graduated with an average of $34,600 in debt, and students at private four-year institutions averaged $44,600. Many of these private student loans were borrowed with the help of a cosigner, such as a parent.

Are student loan payments tax deductible? ›

Student Loan Interest Deduction

You can take a tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans that you took out for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. This benefit applies to all loans (not just federal student loans) used to pay for higher education expenses. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year.

Is $40,000 in student loans a lot? ›

Just because the average student graduates with nearly $40,000 worth of student loans to repay, it doesn't mean you have to choose between college or debt. There are ways to minimize the cost of college, and the amount you need to take out in loans, such as: Save up for college during a gap year.

How long does it take to pay back 40000 in student loans? ›

Student Loan Debt Amount for Consolidation Loan Repayment Period Calculation
Student Loan Debt AmountStandard Plan Repayment Period
$10,000–19,99915 years
$20,000–39,99920 years
$40,000–59,99925 years
More than $60,00030 years
2 more rows

What happens if you never pay off student loans? ›

If you default on your student loan, that status will be reported to national credit reporting agencies. This reporting may damage your credit rating and future borrowing ability. Also, the government can collect on your loans by taking funds from your wages, tax refunds, and other government payments.

Why are student loans so hard to pay off? ›

Interest can make student loans more expensive, while inflation can make that debt harder to manage alongside other bills. Paying off some of your debt during your studies could ease the burden later on and save you money on interest.

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.
Feb 9, 2023

What would the monthly payment be on a $60000 loan? ›

For example, for a $60K personal loan, for a term of 30-years with an annual percentage rate of 6% , the estimated monthly payment would be about $360, while a 15-year loan at an annual percentage rate of 3.5% would have an estimated monthly payment of about $429.

How to pay off $60,000 in 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.
May 31, 2024

What is the average monthly payment for a 50k student loan? ›

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.

What is a normal student loan monthly payment? ›

Average Student Loan Payments

As of May 30, 2023, the average monthly payment for federal student loans was estimated to be about $500 per month when adjusted for inflation. However, the final number depends on the type of loan, loan amount, interest rates, and repayment plan.

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