The value of outstanding student loans in the United States has ballooned since the first quarter of 2006. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, American students owed over 1.77 trillion U.S. dollars in student loans. In the first quarter of 2006, this figure stood at 480.9 billion U.S. dollars.

Direct combined loans, also called Stafford loans, accounted for *** billion U.S. dollars of outstanding student loan debt in the United States in 2024. Stafford loans are a type of federal student loans offered to eligible university students at a lower interest rate than private loans. In the first quarter of 2024, outstanding student loan debt in the United States totaled over **** trillion U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Student Loans Owned and Securitized (DISCONTINUED) (SLOAS) from Q1 2006 to Q4 2024 about student, securitized, owned, loans, and USA.

As of April 2023, federal student loan forgiveness programs forgave an average amount of around ****** U.S. dollars to eligible borrowers in the United States. In comparison, the average amount of student debt forgiven by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was ****** U.S. dollars per borrower. Public Service Loan Forgiveness grants federal loan forgiveness to borrowers who have been working for a qualifying public service employer full-time for 10 years and have made *** monthly payments while working for that employer.

Debt Balance Student Loans in the United States increased to 1.63 Trillion USD in the first quarter of 2025 from 1.62 Trillion USD in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Debt Balance Student Loans.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the national database of information about loans and grants awarded to students under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants during their complete life cycle, from aid approval through disbursement, repayment, deferment, delinquency, and closure.

In 2024, Generation Z in the United States had an average of roughly ****** U.S. dollars in student loan debt. By contrast, Generation X had the highest student loan debt, amounting to approximately ****** U.S. dollars. The value of outstanding student loans has been consistently rising over the past few decades.

The global student debt recovery services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing burden of student loan debt worldwide and the rising adoption of sophisticated debt recovery techniques. The market, segmented by application (schools, banks, government, non-profits) and service type (tuition fee, living expenses, other education-related debt), is witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 10% – a figure derived from observing similar financial services sectors and considering the persistent issue of student loan defaults. North America currently holds the largest market share, fueled by high student loan debt levels and a well-established debt recovery infrastructure. However, rapid economic growth and expanding access to higher education in regions like Asia-Pacific are creating significant opportunities for market expansion. Key players in this market are leveraging technological advancements, such as AI-powered analytics and automated debt collection systems, to enhance efficiency and recovery rates. Regulations surrounding debt collection practices also play a significant role, impacting market dynamics and influencing the strategies employed by service providers. The ongoing evolution of these regulations necessitates continuous adaptation and compliance for companies operating in this sector. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of large, established players and smaller, specialized firms. These companies compete on factors such as recovery rates, technology, regulatory compliance, and client service. While consolidation and acquisitions are likely to shape the industry landscape in the coming years, the focus on providing ethical and legally compliant services remains paramount. Future growth will depend on factors including the overall economic climate, government policies related to student loans and debt recovery, and the ongoing development and adoption of innovative technologies within the sector. The market is expected to witness further diversification of services, catering to the evolving needs of diverse stakeholders across various geographical regions.

The student loan debt collection market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the escalating burden of student loan debt globally. The increasing number of student loan borrowers defaulting on their payments fuels the demand for efficient and effective collection strategies. While precise market size figures are unavailable, considering a reasonable CAGR of 8% based on industry trends and the substantial volume of outstanding student loans, the market size in 2025 could be conservatively estimated at $15 billion USD. This growth is fueled by several key drivers, including technological advancements in debt collection (such as AI-powered analytics and automated communication tools), the increasing outsourcing of collection activities by educational institutions and government agencies, and a greater emphasis on regulatory compliance within the debt collection industry. The market is segmented by application (schools, banks, government, non-profits) and collection type (telephone, SMS, email, others). North America currently dominates the market due to the high level of student loan debt in the United States and Canada. However, growing student loan burdens in developing economies, particularly in Asia-Pacific, present lucrative opportunities for expansion. Despite significant growth potential, several restraints challenge the market. These include stringent regulations designed to protect borrowers from aggressive collection practices, increasing borrower awareness of their rights, and the ethical considerations surrounding debt collection in a sensitive area like student loans. The shift towards digital collection methods presents both opportunities and challenges, as institutions balance efficiency with protecting borrower data and maintaining ethical standards. Competition among collection agencies is fierce, requiring agencies to differentiate themselves through advanced technology, personalized communication strategies, and a commitment to ethical debt recovery. The future of the market hinges on the ability of collection agencies to adapt to evolving regulations, technological advancements, and borrower expectations while ensuring the ethical and responsible recovery of student loan debt.

Statistics on student debt, including the average debt at graduation, the percentage of graduates who owed large debt at graduation and the percentage of graduates with debt who had paid it off at the time of the interview, are presented by the province of study and the level of study. Estimates are available at five-year intervals.

The Educational Debt Recovery Services market is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising tuition fees and increasing student loan defaults globally. The market's expansion is fueled by several factors. Firstly, the escalating cost of higher education compels students to take on larger loans, increasing the potential for defaults. Secondly, the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding student loan repayment and collection is creating opportunities for specialized recovery services. Furthermore, technological advancements are streamlining collection processes, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs for providers. The market is segmented by application (Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, Basic Education and Special Education, Others) and type of collection (Non-litigation and Litigation). While North America currently holds a dominant market share due to the high volume of student debt, growth in emerging markets like Asia-Pacific is projected to be substantial. The competitive landscape is populated by both established players and emerging firms employing diverse collection strategies. Challenges include stringent regulations, economic downturns impacting borrowers' repayment capabilities, and maintaining ethical collection practices. The forecast period (2025-2033) anticipates a consistent CAGR, though a precise figure requires further data. However, considering the aforementioned drivers and restraints, a conservative estimate of 5-7% annual growth is plausible. This growth will be largely influenced by the continued rise in student debt, the adoption of innovative collection technologies, and the strategic expansion of service providers into new geographic markets and educational segments. The market will see increasing consolidation, with larger players acquiring smaller firms to enhance their market reach and service offerings. Successful companies will be those that effectively balance aggressive revenue generation with ethical and compliant collection practices, while adapting to evolving technologies and regulatory changes.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Government; Consumer Credit, Student Loans; Asset, Level (FGCCSAQ027S) from Q4 1945 to Q1 2025 about student, IMA, consumer credit, federal, assets, loans, government, consumer, and USA.

For those graduating college in the United States in 2020, five-figure debt was the norm across all states. Students in New Hampshire had the highest debt levels in the country, at 39,928 U.S. dollars on average. The lowest average amount of debt that students had was in the state of Utah at 18,344 U.S. dollars.

The student loan debt recovery services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the escalating burden of student loan debt globally. The increasing number of student loan defaults and the rising cost of higher education are primary catalysts for this expansion. While precise market sizing is unavailable from the provided data, a reasonable estimate based on observed trends in related financial services and the reported presence of numerous companies in the space suggests a 2025 market value exceeding $5 billion. This market's compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is likely in the range of 8-10%, projecting significant expansion through 2033. Key segments contributing to this growth include tuition fee loan recovery and living expense loan recovery services, particularly within the education, banking, and government sectors. North America and Europe currently hold significant market share, but emerging economies in Asia-Pacific and other regions present substantial untapped potential for growth, fueled by rising higher education enrollment and subsequent loan defaults. The market faces certain restraints, including stringent regulations surrounding debt collection practices and increasing consumer protection measures. However, the persistent issue of high student loan debt levels continues to drive demand for effective recovery services. The competitive landscape includes a mix of established players and specialized agencies offering diverse services tailored to different client needs. Successful firms are likely to be those that leverage advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning for efficient debt recovery, demonstrate compliance with regulatory frameworks, and provide flexible and empathetic solutions to borrowers. Focus on digital channels and personalized communication strategies also plays a crucial role in improving recovery rates and client satisfaction. Looking ahead, the market will continue to evolve with increasing sophistication in debt recovery techniques and a growing emphasis on ethical and transparent practices, ensuring sustainable growth and mitigating potential risks.

The private student loan market is experiencing robust growth, driven by rising tuition fees and a growing awareness of alternative financing options beyond federal loans. While precise figures for market size and CAGR are not provided, leveraging industry reports and trends, we can estimate a 2025 market size of approximately $150 billion USD, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% between 2025 and 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors: increasing undergraduate and graduate enrollment, the rising cost of education exceeding the capacity of federal loan programs, and the expansion of private lenders offering diverse loan products catering to various educational needs, including career training programs. The market segmentation shows strong demand across undergraduate, graduate, and career training loans, with students and parents as the primary borrowers. Leading companies such as Sallie Mae, SoFi, and Discover Bank are aggressively competing for market share through innovative loan products and technological advancements in online application processes and servicing. However, market growth is not without its challenges. Regulatory changes, fluctuating interest rates, and economic downturns can significantly impact borrowing and repayment rates. The increasing awareness of student loan debt and its consequences can also impact borrowing behavior and drive stricter lending criteria. Furthermore, regional variations in educational costs and financial literacy levels contribute to diverse market penetration across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Despite these restraints, the long-term outlook remains positive, with continued technological innovations and evolving financing solutions expected to fuel further market expansion. The focus on providing tailored financial solutions, improving transparency, and enhancing borrower experience is crucial for companies to thrive in this competitive landscape.

How has student debt changed over the past decade? How will interest rates affect it now?

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S government paused payments on federal student loans starting on March 13, 2020, moving billions of dollars of student debt into forbearance. Forbearance means that no payments need to be made, with the interest rate set to zero percent. In the second quarter of 2022 and 2023, the majority of federal student loans remained in forbearance, totaling over 1000 billion U.S. dollars. However, loan repayments and interest rates restarted in October 2023, lowering the amount of student loans in forbearance to **** billion U.S. dollars as of Q2 2024.

Chad: Student loan debt balance per capita, U.S. dollars: The latest value from is U.S. dollars, unavailable from U.S. dollars in . In comparison, the world average is 0 U.S. dollars, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for Chad from to is U.S. dollars. The minimum value, U.S. dollars, was reached in while the maximum of U.S. dollars was recorded in .

The National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey (NPSAS) provides information on how postsecondary student financial aid is targeted, received, and used. A significant component of the NPSAS is the Student Loan Recipient Transcript Survey, which collected postsecondary-school transcripts for Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) recipients who were surveyed in the Student Loan Recipient Survey (SLRS, Part 4). This component provides the means to analyze basic policy issues such as relationships between educational activities and ability to cope with indebtedness, and the patterns of student loan repayment or default. The Transcript Survey data cover 11,847 students, 12,213 transcripts, and 1,412 schools and are organized into four categories, consisting of data at the student (Part 5), transcript (Part 7), term (Part 6), and course (Part 2) levels. At least one student-level and one transcript-level record exist for each sample member for whom a transcript was requested, even if the school in question reported that an individual had never attended or had withdrawn before establishing a formal record of attendance. Student-level data (Part 5) provide general information about the respondent's academic career. Each record is given a case ID code, allowing the merger of transcript data and other files, sampling weights, and data that summarize information found on transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended as well as selected items from Part 4, the Student Loan Recipient Survey data files. Transcript-level records (Part 7) contain data pertaining to the student's academic record at a single institution, including the school ID code, degree or other credentials conferred with accompanying dates, major and minor field(s) of study, and the student's cumulative grade-point average. Term records (Part 6) contain type of term (quarters, trimesters, and semesters), season of occurrence, start and end dates, grade-scale type, the number of courses corresponding to a given term, and a special flag indicating regular or transfer status for the term. Included in term type is a code that signifies credit earned via standardized tests and other life experience. Course-level data (Part 2) include records for every course reported on a transcript. The Student Loan Recipient Survey data (Part 4, Questionnaire Data) contain identifying information about the students such as sex, age, race, citizenship, residence, marital status, and current employment, as well as survey control data, a counter variable for the NPSAS transcripts, and weights. The Composite Data file (Part 1) contains information from the student transcript data in Part 5 and the student questionnaire data in Part 4. It also contains composite variables that combine information from the record abstract done at the institution and the student questionnaire. A Parent Survey (Part 3) was also conducted to collect data on the total number of children in the family, how much respondents spent on clothing, food, and books and supplies for their children, other loans taken out to pay for schooling, when the respondents started saving for their children's college expenses, and what type of savings programs they used.

United States HH Debt: Balance: Delinquent Loan: More Than 90 Days: Student Loan data was reported at 10.750 % in Mar 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.060 % for Dec 2019. United States HH Debt: Balance: Delinquent Loan: More Than 90 Days: Student Loan data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.960 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Mar 2020, with 69 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.830 % in Sep 2013 and a record low of 6.032 % in Mar 2005. United States HH Debt: Balance: Delinquent Loan: More Than 90 Days: Student Loan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.KB027: Household Debt.