Education Loan Debt Stats

Just some recent stats so Angry Bear readers can understand this is still an issue. Biden did take some actions as the president. Supreme Court did block Biden on taking greater by canceling $400 billion in student loan debt. Also, I added some detail as developed by Melanie Hanson as to the loan originators.

Student Loan Debt Statistics [2025]

by Melanie Hanson

Report Highlights. Student loan debt in the United States totals $1.814 trillion; annual growth resumed in 2024 following a year-over-year (YoY) decline in 2023.

• The outstanding federal student loan balance is $1.661 trillion; 42.5 million student borrowers have federal loan debt.
• Federal student loan debt represents 91.6% of all student loan debt; 8.43% of student loan debt is private, including $30.7 billion in refinance loans.
• The average federal student loan debt balance is $39,075, while the total average balance (including private loan debt) may be as high as $42,673.
• 11.3% of federal student loans dollars were delinquent as of 2025’s second financial quarter (2025 Q2); 1.61% of private student loans were in default as of 2024 Q1.
• The average public university student borrows $31,960 to attain a bachelor’s degree.

Average Student Loan Debt

Report Highlights. The total average student loan debt (including private loan debt) may be as high as $42,673.

• The average federal student loan debt is $39,075 per borrower.
• Outstanding private student loan debt totals $144.9 billion. 
• The average student borrows over $30,000 to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
• A total of 42.5 million borrowers have federal student loan debt.
• It may take borrowers close to 20 years to pay off their student loans. 

Student Loan Debt by Origination – Who Loaned It?

By Melanie Hanson: Average Student Loan Debt [2025]: by Year, Age & More