GITNUXREPORT 2026

Student Loan Repayment Statistics

U.S. student loan debt is a massive burden affecting millions of Americans.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

65% of women hold debt vs. 50% men.

Statistic 2

Black students borrow $41,000 avg vs. $27,000 white.

Statistic 3

55% of women grads have debt vs. 45% men.

Statistic 4

Hispanics hold 16% of debt, borrow $24,800 avg.

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14 million millennials hold 50% of debt.

Statistic 6

Gen Z debt $20 billion, growing fastest.

Statistic 7

Baby boomers hold $90 billion, avg age 64.

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Parents: 3.7 million hold $110B PLUS loans.

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Low-income (<$30k) 60% borrow avg $40k.

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High-income (>$75k) 40% borrow avg $30k.

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Rural borrowers 15% higher debt burdens.

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Urban avg debt $35,200 vs. suburban $32,100.

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STEM majors avg $25,000 debt, humanities $32,000.

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Law school grads avg $145,500 debt.

Statistic 15

Medical school avg $200,000 debt.

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62% of Black women hold debt vs. 40% white women.

Statistic 17

Single parents 70% more likely to default, hold debt.

Statistic 18

Veterans hold $10 billion, 400k borrowers.

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LGBTQ+ borrowers 20% higher debt.

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First-gen college 75% borrow vs. 50% continuing-gen.

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Married borrowers 45% of total debt holders.

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Unemployed 25% of defaulters.

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35% of borrowers parents of young children.

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14.7% of federal loans in default as of 2023.

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3.4 million borrowers in default on $115 billion.

Statistic 26

Default rate for 2017 cohort is 11.5% after 3 years.

Statistic 27

Black borrowers default at 50% within 12 years vs. 20% white.

Statistic 28

For-profit college default rate 3-year is 23%.

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Public 4-year default rate 7.2%.

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20% of borrowers default within 12 years overall.

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Delinquency rate hit 11% in 2019.

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5.2 million borrowers seriously delinquent pre-pause.

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Default consequences: 25% wage garnishment.

Statistic 34

40% of defaults from 2004 cohort still unresolved.

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Private loan default rate 13.6%.

Statistic 36

Age 35-49 group has highest defaults at 17%.

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$160 billion in defaulted federal loans.

Statistic 38

Cohort default rate averaged 13.1% 2009-2011.

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30% of Black bachelor's holders default vs. 9% Asian.

Statistic 40

Post-2014, institutional default rates below 30% avoid penalties.

Statistic 41

1 in 4 community college borrowers default within 12 years.

Statistic 42

Delinquency 90+ days affects 8% post-pause.

Statistic 43

Tax refund offsets collected $2 billion in 2022.

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65% of defaulters re-enter repayment via rehab.

Statistic 45

Default rate dropped to 0% due to pause 2020-2023.

Statistic 46

2.5 million borrowers rehabilitated loans since 2009.

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Female borrowers 8% higher delinquency rate.

Statistic 48

$929 billion forgiven via death/age discharges.

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43% of undergrad borrowers from low-income families default more.

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Hispanic borrowers default at 18% rate.

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60% of defaulters have incomes under $25,000.

Statistic 52

Total U.S. student loan debt outstanding reached $1.61 trillion in Q4 2023, held by 42.6 million borrowers.

Statistic 53

Average federal student loan debt per borrower is $38,375 as of 2023.

Statistic 54

45 million Americans have student loan debt, representing 11.6% of the U.S. population aged 18+.

Statistic 55

Student loan debt grew by 7.8% annually from 2007 to 2022, outpacing inflation.

Statistic 56

Private student loan debt totals $121.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 57

14% of student loan debt is held by borrowers aged 18-29.

Statistic 58

Graduate student loans account for 40% of total federal student debt at $1 trillion.

Statistic 59

Parent PLUS loans total $108 billion, borrowed by 3.8 million parents.

Statistic 60

Student debt as a percentage of GDP is 6.5% in 2023.

Statistic 61

7.5% annual growth in student debt from 2010-2020.

Statistic 62

Total debt held by women is $929 billion vs. $682 billion for men.

Statistic 63

Black borrowers hold 13% of debt but are 7% of population.

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Median debt for bachelor's degree holders is $28,400.

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Debt for professional degrees averages $182,000.

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39% of borrowers owe less than $10,000.

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7% of borrowers owe over $100,000.

Statistic 68

Community college borrowers average $13,000 in debt.

Statistic 69

For-profit college debt averages $32,000 per borrower.

Statistic 70

Public 4-year college average debt is $28,650.

Statistic 71

Private nonprofit 4-year average debt is $32,500.

Statistic 72

Student debt delinquency rate was 7.4% pre-pandemic.

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92% of student debt is federal.

Statistic 74

States with highest debt: New Hampshire ($39,828 avg).

Statistic 75

Lowest average debt state: Wyoming ($26,000).

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Debt per capita highest in Maryland ($9,367).

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18% of all U.S. household debt is student loans.

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56% of bachelor's recipients borrow.

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71% of 2017 graduates borrowed average $29,500.

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Debt balance increased 33% from 2009-2019.

Statistic 81

10 million borrowers in repayment paused since 2020.

Statistic 82

PSLF forgives $60 billion for 870,000 borrowers.

Statistic 83

Biden admin forgave $167 billion for 4.8 million.

Statistic 84

SAVE plan approved forgiveness for 414,000.

Statistic 85

IDR adjustment forgives $5 billion for 413,000.

Statistic 86

1.3 million borrowers got $10,000-$20,000 relief.

Statistic 87

Public Service Loan Forgiveness uptake 20x since 2021.

Statistic 88

TPD discharges: $15 billion for 550,000 disabled.

Statistic 89

Borrower Defense: $6 billion approved.

Statistic 90

Income-driven plans forgive after 20-25 years.

Statistic 91

HEROES Act pause extended 3 years, $195B cost.

Statistic 92

Supreme Court struck down $400B forgiveness in 2023.

Statistic 93

8 million applied for broad forgiveness.

Statistic 94

New PSLF rules approve 30% more apps.

Statistic 95

SAVE lowers payments for $1.6T debt.

Statistic 96

40 states have state-level forgiveness programs.

Statistic 97

Employer assistance up to $5,250 tax-free.

Statistic 98

Military service forgiveness: $7 billion.

Statistic 99

Buy Now Pay Later for education proposed.

Statistic 100

Risk-sharing for colleges proposed in reforms.

Statistic 101

75% of borrowers unaware of forgiveness options.

Statistic 102

Black borrowers receive 13% of forgiveness dollars.

Statistic 103

28% of borrowers making no payments in 2023 due to forbearance.

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Median time to repay undergraduate loans is 20 years.

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Only 23% of borrowers pay off loans within 10 years.

Statistic 106

Average borrower takes 20 years to repay.

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40% of borrowers have made no principal payments after 10 years.

Statistic 108

Income-driven repayment plans cover 45% of borrowers.

Statistic 109

Standard 10-year plan monthly payment averages $393 for $37,000 debt at 5%.

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SAVE plan reduces payments to 5% of discretionary income.

Statistic 111

13 million borrowers on IDR plans as of 2023.

Statistic 112

Repayment rate for 2012 cohort is 56% after 10 years.

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30% of loans in active repayment pre-pause.

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Borrowers over 50 have $270 billion in debt, slower repayment.

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50% of borrowers extend repayment beyond 10 years.

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Monthly payments average $200-299 for 24% of borrowers.

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15% pay $500+ monthly.

Statistic 118

Repayment progress stalled for 60% during pandemic pause.

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25% of borrowers in deferment or forbearance in 2022.

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Average repayment term under extended plans is 25 years.

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8% of borrowers fully repaid within 5 years.

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IDR enrollment grew 20% in 2023.

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35% of repayment dollars go to interest.

Statistic 124

Borrowers pay $1.7 billion more in interest annually due to plan switches.

Statistic 125

12% annual prepayment rate among those current.

Statistic 126

Post-pause, 60% of borrowers current on payments.

1/126

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With a staggering $1.61 trillion shackling the financial futures of over 42 million Americans, navigating student loan repayment isn't just a personal chore—it's a national challenge demanding a clear and actionable map.

Key Takeaways

Total U.S. student loan debt outstanding reached $1.61 trillion in Q4 2023, held by 42.6 million borrowers.
Average federal student loan debt per borrower is $38,375 as of 2023.
45 million Americans have student loan debt, representing 11.6% of the U.S. population aged 18+.
28% of borrowers making no payments in 2023 due to forbearance.
Median time to repay undergraduate loans is 20 years.
Only 23% of borrowers pay off loans within 10 years.
14.7% of federal loans in default as of 2023.
3.4 million borrowers in default on $115 billion.
Default rate for 2017 cohort is 11.5% after 3 years.
PSLF forgives $60 billion for 870,000 borrowers.
Biden admin forgave $167 billion for 4.8 million.
SAVE plan approved forgiveness for 414,000.
65% of women hold debt vs. 50% men.
Black students borrow $41,000 avg vs. $27,000 white.
55% of women grads have debt vs. 45% men.

U.S. student loan debt is a massive burden affecting millions of Americans.

Borrower Demographics

65% of women hold debt vs. 50% men.
Black students borrow $41,000 avg vs. $27,000 white.
55% of women grads have debt vs. 45% men.
Hispanics hold 16% of debt, borrow $24,800 avg.
14 million millennials hold 50% of debt.
Gen Z debt $20 billion, growing fastest.
Baby boomers hold $90 billion, avg age 64.
Parents: 3.7 million hold $110B PLUS loans.
Low-income (<$30k) 60% borrow avg $40k.
High-income (>$75k) 40% borrow avg $30k.
Rural borrowers 15% higher debt burdens.
Urban avg debt $35,200 vs. suburban $32,100.
STEM majors avg $25,000 debt, humanities $32,000.
Law school grads avg $145,500 debt.
Medical school avg $200,000 debt.
62% of Black women hold debt vs. 40% white women.
Single parents 70% more likely to default, hold debt.
Veterans hold $10 billion, 400k borrowers.
LGBTQ+ borrowers 20% higher debt.
First-gen college 75% borrow vs. 50% continuing-gen.
Married borrowers 45% of total debt holders.
Unemployed 25% of defaulters.
35% of borrowers parents of young children.

Borrower Demographics Interpretation

Student debt isn't just a young person's problem; it's a targeted financial stressor that disproportionately burdens women, people of color, first-generation grads, and low-income families, creating a generational anchor that follows everyone from Gen Z to their Baby Boomer parents.

Default Statistics

14.7% of federal loans in default as of 2023.
3.4 million borrowers in default on $115 billion.
Default rate for 2017 cohort is 11.5% after 3 years.
Black borrowers default at 50% within 12 years vs. 20% white.
For-profit college default rate 3-year is 23%.
Public 4-year default rate 7.2%.
20% of borrowers default within 12 years overall.
Delinquency rate hit 11% in 2019.
5.2 million borrowers seriously delinquent pre-pause.
Default consequences: 25% wage garnishment.
40% of defaults from 2004 cohort still unresolved.
Private loan default rate 13.6%.
Age 35-49 group has highest defaults at 17%.
$160 billion in defaulted federal loans.
Cohort default rate averaged 13.1% 2009-2011.
30% of Black bachelor's holders default vs. 9% Asian.
Post-2014, institutional default rates below 30% avoid penalties.
1 in 4 community college borrowers default within 12 years.
Delinquency 90+ days affects 8% post-pause.
Tax refund offsets collected $2 billion in 2022.
65% of defaulters re-enter repayment via rehab.
Default rate dropped to 0% due to pause 2020-2023.
2.5 million borrowers rehabilitated loans since 2009.
Female borrowers 8% higher delinquency rate.
$929 billion forgiven via death/age discharges.
43% of undergrad borrowers from low-income families default more.
Hispanic borrowers default at 18% rate.
60% of defaulters have incomes under $25,000.

Default Statistics Interpretation

These statistics reveal student debt isn't just a ledger of numbers, but a generational equation where inequality is a primary variable, financial ruin is a common term, and the only real pause in the crisis came from a global pandemic.

Overall Debt Levels

Total U.S. student loan debt outstanding reached $1.61 trillion in Q4 2023, held by 42.6 million borrowers.
Average federal student loan debt per borrower is $38,375 as of 2023.
45 million Americans have student loan debt, representing 11.6% of the U.S. population aged 18+.
Student loan debt grew by 7.8% annually from 2007 to 2022, outpacing inflation.
Private student loan debt totals $121.8 billion in 2023.
14% of student loan debt is held by borrowers aged 18-29.
Graduate student loans account for 40% of total federal student debt at $1 trillion.
Parent PLUS loans total $108 billion, borrowed by 3.8 million parents.
Student debt as a percentage of GDP is 6.5% in 2023.
7.5% annual growth in student debt from 2010-2020.
Total debt held by women is $929 billion vs. $682 billion for men.
Black borrowers hold 13% of debt but are 7% of population.
Median debt for bachelor's degree holders is $28,400.
Debt for professional degrees averages $182,000.
39% of borrowers owe less than $10,000.
7% of borrowers owe over $100,000.
Community college borrowers average $13,000 in debt.
For-profit college debt averages $32,000 per borrower.
Public 4-year college average debt is $28,650.
Private nonprofit 4-year average debt is $32,500.
Student debt delinquency rate was 7.4% pre-pandemic.
92% of student debt is federal.
States with highest debt: New Hampshire ($39,828 avg).
Lowest average debt state: Wyoming ($26,000).
Debt per capita highest in Maryland ($9,367).
18% of all U.S. household debt is student loans.
56% of bachelor's recipients borrow.
71% of 2017 graduates borrowed average $29,500.
Debt balance increased 33% from 2009-2019.
10 million borrowers in repayment paused since 2020.

Overall Debt Levels Interpretation

We have constructed a generational rite of passage where millions carry a diploma in one hand and a mortgage-sized bill for it in the other, proving that knowledge is power, but the interest on that power is a national burden.

Policy Impacts

PSLF forgives $60 billion for 870,000 borrowers.
Biden admin forgave $167 billion for 4.8 million.
SAVE plan approved forgiveness for 414,000.
IDR adjustment forgives $5 billion for 413,000.
1.3 million borrowers got $10,000-$20,000 relief.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness uptake 20x since 2021.
TPD discharges: $15 billion for 550,000 disabled.
Borrower Defense: $6 billion approved.
Income-driven plans forgive after 20-25 years.
HEROES Act pause extended 3 years, $195B cost.
Supreme Court struck down $400B forgiveness in 2023.
8 million applied for broad forgiveness.
New PSLF rules approve 30% more apps.
SAVE lowers payments for $1.6T debt.
40 states have state-level forgiveness programs.
Employer assistance up to $5,250 tax-free.
Military service forgiveness: $7 billion.
Buy Now Pay Later for education proposed.
Risk-sharing for colleges proposed in reforms.
75% of borrowers unaware of forgiveness options.
Black borrowers receive 13% of forgiveness dollars.

Policy Impacts Interpretation

It is a staggering, bureaucratic epic, both a testament to how much relief has been clawed through the system and a damning indictment of how byzantine that system remains, especially when you consider that most borrowers are still navigating it blindfolded.

Repayment Progress

28% of borrowers making no payments in 2023 due to forbearance.
Median time to repay undergraduate loans is 20 years.
Only 23% of borrowers pay off loans within 10 years.
Average borrower takes 20 years to repay.
40% of borrowers have made no principal payments after 10 years.
Income-driven repayment plans cover 45% of borrowers.
Standard 10-year plan monthly payment averages $393 for $37,000 debt at 5%.
SAVE plan reduces payments to 5% of discretionary income.
13 million borrowers on IDR plans as of 2023.
Repayment rate for 2012 cohort is 56% after 10 years.
30% of loans in active repayment pre-pause.
Borrowers over 50 have $270 billion in debt, slower repayment.
50% of borrowers extend repayment beyond 10 years.
Monthly payments average $200-299 for 24% of borrowers.
15% pay $500+ monthly.
Repayment progress stalled for 60% during pandemic pause.
25% of borrowers in deferment or forbearance in 2022.
Average repayment term under extended plans is 25 years.
8% of borrowers fully repaid within 5 years.
IDR enrollment grew 20% in 2023.
35% of repayment dollars go to interest.
Borrowers pay $1.7 billion more in interest annually due to plan switches.
12% annual prepayment rate among those current.
Post-pause, 60% of borrowers current on payments.

Repayment Progress Interpretation

The statistics paint a portrait of a system where the average borrower embarks on a twenty-year odyssey of debt, often paying more towards interest than progress, as nearly half rely on payment plans that stretch the finish line to the horizon.

Sources & References

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