Student loan debt nationwide currently totals $1.774 trillion (including federal and private student loans). The average federal student loan debt balance is $37,717 while the total average balance (including private student loans) is estimated to be $40,505, according to EducationData.org.
Student loan debt is now the second highest consumer debt category in the country behind only housing debt. Around 54% of bachelor’s degree recipients from public and private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities graduate with debt, according to the College Board.
A recent report from EducationData.org details the average student loan debt per borrower (based on federal student loan only) in each state. Overall, residents of Washington, D.C., are the most likely of all U.S. residents to have student debt, averaging $54,945 per borrower. Hawaiians, on the other hand, are the least likely to have student loans outstanding, with just 8.4% of residents in debt.
Student Loan Debt in Each State
Read on for an overview of what student loan debt looks like across the country according to EducationData.org . Note that this data refers to federal student loan debt only; private student loans, which represent 7.2% of all student debt, are not reflected.
Alabama
Average borrower debt: $37,137
Total student loan debt: $23.5 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Alabama
Alaska
Average borrower debt: $34,024
Total student loan debt: $23.5 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Alaska
Arizona
Average borrower debt: $35,396
Total student loan debt: $31.4 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Arizona
Arkansas
Average borrower debt: $33,333
Total student loan debt: $13.0 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Arkansas
California
Average borrower debt: $37,084
Total student loan debt: $141.8 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in California
Colorado
Average borrower debt: $36,822
Total student loan debt: $28.5 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Colorado
Connecticut
Average borrower debt: $35,162
Total student loan debt: $17.5 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Connecticut
Delaware
Average borrower debt: $37,559
Total student loan debt: $4.8 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Delaware
District of Columbia
Average borrower debt: $54,945
Total student loan debt: $6.5 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Washington D.C.
Florida
Average borrower debt: $38,459
Total student loan debt: $100.9 billion
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Georgia
Average borrower debt: $41,639
Total student loan debt: $68.6 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Georgia
Hawaii
Average borrower debt: $36,765
Total student loan debt: $4.5 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Hawaii
Idaho
Average borrower debt: $33,012
Total student loan debt: $7.2 billion
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Illinois
Average borrower debt: $37,757
Total student loan debt: $61.6 billion
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Indiana
Average borrower debt: $32,874
Total student loan debt: $29.8 billion
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Iowa
Average borrower debt: $30,464
Total student loan debt: $13.2 billion
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Kansas
Average borrower debt: $32,578
Total student loan debt: $12.5 billion
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Kentucky
Average borrower debt: $32,779
Total student loan debt: $19.7 billion
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Louisiana
Average borrower debt: $34,525
Total student loan debt: $22.5 billion
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Maine
Average borrower debt: $33,137
Total student loan debt: $6.2 billion
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Maryland
Average borrower debt: $42,861
Total student loan debt: $35.9 billion
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Massachusetts
Average borrower debt: $34,146
Total student loan debt: $30.8 billion
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Michigan
Average borrower debt: $36,116
Total student loan debt: $51.0 billion
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Minnesota
Average borrower debt: $33,604
Total student loan debt: $26.5 billion
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Mississippi
Average borrower debt: $36,902
Total student loan debt: $16.2 billion
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Missouri
Average borrower debt: $35,397
Total student loan debt: $29.3 billion
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Montana
Average borrower debt: $33,149
Total student loan debt: $4.2 billion
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Nebraska
Average borrower debt: $31,919
Total student loan debt: $7.9 billion
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Nevada
Average borrower debt: $33,743
Total student loan debt: $11.8 billion
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New Hampshire
Average borrower debt: $34,085
Total student loan debt: $6.5 billion
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New Jersey
Average borrower debt: $35,434
Total student loan debt: $42.5 billion
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New Mexico
Average borrower debt: $34,211
Total student loan debt: $7.8 billion
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New York
Average borrower debt: $37,678
Total student loan debt: $92.7 billion
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North Carolina
Average borrower debt: $37,721
Total student loan debt: $49.2 billion
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North Dakota
Average borrower debt: $28,604
Total student loan debt: $2.5 billion
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Ohio
Average borrower debt: $34,721
Total student loan debt: $62.3 billion
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Oklahoma
Average borrower debt: $31,525
Total student loan debt: $15.4 billion
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Oregon
Average borrower debt: $37,017
Total student loan debt: $20.1 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Oregon
Pennsylvania
Average borrower debt: $35,385
Total student loan debt: $64.5 billion
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Rhode Island
Average borrower debt: $32,056
Total student loan debt: $4.6 billion
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South Carolina
Average borrower debt: $38,414
Total student loan debt: $28.1 billion
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South Dakota
Average borrower debt: $30,954
Total student loan debt: $3.6 billion
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Tennessee
Average borrower debt: $36,418
Total student loan debt: $31.4 billion
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Texas
Average borrower debt: $32,920
Total student loan debt: $120.0 billion
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Utah
Average borrower debt: $32,835
Total student loan debt: $10.1 billion
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Vermont
Average borrower debt: $37,516
Total student loan debt: $2.9 billion
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Virginia
Average borrower debt: $39,165
Total student loan debt: $42.4 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Virginia
Washington
Average borrower debt: $35,510
Total student loan debt: $28.0 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Washington
West Virginia
Average borrower debt: $31,690
Total student loan debt: $7.2 billion
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Wisconsin
Average borrower debt: $31,894
Total student loan debt: $23.2 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Wisconsin
Wyoming
Average borrower debt: $31,250
Total student loan debt: $1.7 billion
Everything you need to know about student loans & scholarships in Wyoming
The Takeaway
The average amount of debt held by borrowers varies from state to state. The five states with the highest average amount of student loan debt per borrower are: Washington D.C., Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. The five states with the lowest average of student loans per borrower are: Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Puerto Rico. North Dakota is the only state where the average borrower owes less than $30,000.
For millions, student loans and student loan refinances are a necessary part of paying for college. When federal aid and savings aren’t enough to pay for school, some borrowers turn to private student loans. These are available from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. While private lenders are not required to offer the same benefits or protections as federal student loans, they can be helpful for borrowers who have tapped other resources and are looking to fill in gaps in funding.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
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