Student debt is a problem that is faced by the whole United States. Currently, total student debt across the nation is estimated to be at $1.26 trillion, and is the second largest consumer debt following mortgages, reports 24/7 Wall Street.
For U.S. college undergraduates, the amount of debt is still substantial. According to student loan news website Student Loan Report, the average debt all undergraduates, including those who did not take any student loans, is around $16,929 per student.
Because the average student debt included those who did not have any student loan, the actual amounts for those who made loans are higher.
Students graduating in Utah, for example, have the lowest amount per student nationwide, at $7,527 each. Students graduating in New Hampshire, on the other hand, have the highest amount of debt per student across the nation, at $25,740 each.
It is worth noting that students graduating in private schools have higher debt compared to those who graduated in public colleges and universities. In Dixie State University, a public university in Utah for example, graduates have an average $14,019.72 debt per graduate. On the other hand, graduates from Neumont University, a private university in Utah, have an average student debt of $36,056.93 per graduate.
Here are the top states with the most student debt.
5. South Dakota
- Average debt at graduation: $21,298
- Percentage of adults with at least a bachelor's degree: 27.5%
- Median household income, ages 25-44: $59,249
- Avg. debt as share of median household income: 35.9%
4. Minnesota
- Avg. debt at graduation: $21,744
- Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor's degree: 34.7%
- Median household income, ages 25-44: $71,122
- Avg. debt as share of median household income: 30.6%
3. Connecticut
- Avg. debt at graduation: $21,805
- Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor's degree: 38.3%
- Median household income, ages 25-44: $73,328
- Avg. debt as share of median household income: 29.7%
2. Pennsylvania
- Avg. debt at graduation: $24,172
- Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor's degree: 29.7%
- Median household income, ages 25-44: $63,547
- Avg. debt as share of median household income: 38.0%
1. New Hampshire
- Avg. debt at graduation: $25,740
- Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor's degree: 35.7%
- Median household income, ages 25-44: $77,046
- Avg. debt as share of median household income: 33.4%
