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 **** trillion U.S. dollars in student loans. In the first quarter of 2006, this figure stood at ***** billion U.S. dollars.

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.

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.

This comprehensive dataset 📊🇺🇸 takes you on a captivating journey through the world of student loans in the USA. 🎓💸💼 Dive into the numbers and explore the evolving landscape of student borrowing over the years. 📈🔍 Gain insights into the trends, challenges, and impact of student loans on American graduates, shedding light on the pursuit of higher education and its financial implications. 🎓💰🌟 Uncover valuable information that can shape policies, inspire research, and drive discussions surrounding student loan debt in the United States. 📚💡💼 Whether you're an analyst, researcher, or simply curious about the topic, this dataset will equip you with the knowledge to understand and navigate the complexities of student loans in the USA. 🎓💼🔍

View quarterly updates and historical trends for US Student Loan Debt. from United States. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Track economic data w…

The schools that create the most student debt

The top 10 schools for student loan debt in the United States

By Andy Kriebel [source]

About this dataset

This dataset contains information on the amount of student loan debt originated by schools in the United States for the 2020-2021 academic year. The data includes the school name, city, state, zip code, school type, loan type, number of recipients, number of loans originated, amount of money loaned, and number of disbursements

How to use the dataset

There are a few things to keep in mind when using this dataset:

• The data is for the 2020-2021 academic year.
• The data is for student loan debt originated by schools in the United States.
• The data is sorted by school.
• The columns of interest are: School, City, State, Zip Code, School Type, Loan Type, Recipients, # of Loans Originated, $ of Loans Originated, # of Disbursements, and $ of Disbursements

Research Ideas

• The dataset can be used to calculate the amount of loan debt originated by each type of school.
• The dataset can be used to calculate the amount of loan debt originated by each state.
• The dataset can be used to help students estimate their future student loan debt

Acknowledgements

The data for this visualization comes from the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System through the Department of Education

Data Source

License

License: Dataset copyright by authors - You are free to: - Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially. - Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. - You must: - Give appropriate credit - Provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. - ShareAlike - You must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. - Keep intact - all notices that refer to this license, including copyright notices.

Columns

File: Student Loan Debt by School 2020-2021.csv | Column name | Description | |:--------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------| | School | The name of the school. (String) | | City | The city where the school is located. (String) | | State | The state where the school is located. (String) | | Zip Code | The zip code of the school. (String) | | School Type | The type of school. (String) | | Loan Type | The type of loan. (String) | | Recipients | The number of recipients of the loan. (Integer) | | # of Loans Originated | The number of loans originated. (Integer) | | $ of Loans Originated | The amount of money originated in loans. (Float) | | # of Disbursements | The number of disbursements. (Integer) | | $ of Disbursements | The amount of money disbursed. (Float) |

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research, please credit Andy Kriebel.

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.

Debt Balance Student Loans in the United States increased to 1.65 Trillion USD in the third quarter of 2025 from 1.64 Trillion USD in the second quarter of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Debt Balance Student Loans.

Graph and download economic data for Federal Government; Consumer Credit, Student Loans; Asset, Level (FGCCSAQ027S) from Q4 1945 to Q2 2025 about student, consumer credit, IMA, federal, loans, assets, government, consumer, and USA.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, ***** billion U.S. dollars worth of student loans were in forbearance in the United States. This reflects the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, where the government temporarily paused student loan payments and froze the accumulation of interest. Federal student loan repayments resumed in October 2023, with *** billion U.S. dollars worth of student loans in repayment as of ** 2024. During this time period, outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. totaled over **** trillion U.S. dollars.

College Scorecard

The College Scorecard dataset is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and contains information on nearly every college and university in the United States. The dataset includes data on student loan repayment rates, graduation rates, affordability, earnings after graduation, and more. The goal of this dataset is to help students make informed decisions about their college choice by providing them with clear and concise information about each school's performance

How to use the dataset

This dataset can help understand the cost of attending college in the United States, as well as the average debt load for students. It can also be used to compare different schools in terms of their graduation rates and repayment rates

Columns

• UNITID: Unit ID for institution
• INSTNM: Institution name
• CITY: City
• STABBR: State
• ZIP: Zip code
• OPEID: OPE ID for institution
• OPEID6: OPE ID for institution (6-digit)
• ACCREDAGENCY: Accrediting Agency
• INSTURL: Institution URL
• NPCURL: Net Price Calculator URL
• SCH_DEG: Highest degree awarded
• HCM2: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Basic
• MAIN: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Main
• NUMBRANCH: Number of branch campuses
• PREDDEG: Predominant degree awarded
• HIGHDEG: Highest degree awarded
• CONTROL: Control of institution
• ST_FIPS: State FIPS code
• REGION: Region
• LOCALE: Locale code
• LOCALE2: Locale code (multiple categories per state)
• CCBASIC: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Basic
• CCMAIN: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Main
• CCUGPROF: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Undergraduate Profile
• CCSIZSET: Carnegie Classification 2010:** Size and Setting
• HBCU: Historically Black College or University
• PBI: Predominantly Black Institution
• ANNHI: Tribal College or University
• TRIBAL: Tribal College or University (Public)
• AANAPII: Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
• HSIP: Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
• NANTI: Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution
• MENONLY: Men only
• WOMENONLY: Women only
• RELAFFIL: Religious affiliation
• DISTANCEONLY: Distance-only
• CURROPER: Currently operating
• VETERAN: Veteran-supportive
• LIMDEP: Limited-degree-granting
• HIGHDEG_GRANTED: Highest degree granted
• PS: Predominantly two-year public
• UGRD_ENRL_TOTAL: Undergraduate total enrollment
• GRAD_ENRL_TOTAL: Graduate total enrollment
• UGRD_ENRL_ORIG_YR2_RT: Undergraduate, first-time, first-year retention rate (%)

Acknowledgements

This data was originally collected by the US Department of Education and made available on their website. Thank you to the US Department of Education for making this data available!

The global educational debt recovery services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of student loans and the rising cost of higher education worldwide. The market's expansion is fueled by several factors, including a greater emphasis on efficient debt collection practices by educational institutions and lenders, the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and machine learning for debt recovery, and a growing need for specialized services to handle the complexities of student loan repayment. The market is segmented by application (Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, Basic Education and Special Education, Others) and type of collection (Non-litigation Collection, Litigation Collection). While non-litigation methods remain prevalent due to cost-effectiveness, litigation-based recovery is gaining traction for complex cases and high-value debts. North America currently holds a significant market share, owing to the high volume of student loans and established debt recovery infrastructure. However, Asia-Pacific is poised for significant growth, fueled by expanding access to higher education and a burgeoning middle class. The competitive landscape includes both established players like STA International and Cedar Financial, and specialized niche firms focusing on specific educational segments. Market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions is likely, driven by the need for increased operational efficiency and expanded service offerings. The forecast period (2025-2033) anticipates continued expansion, although the CAGR might moderate slightly from the historical growth rate as market maturity progresses. However, factors like government policies affecting student loan forgiveness or repayment plans, alongside technological advancements and evolving regulatory environments, will significantly influence the market trajectory. The key challenge remains balancing efficient debt collection with ethical considerations and protecting the rights of borrowers. Companies will need to invest in technology and develop sophisticated strategies to manage the diverse needs of borrowers and educational institutions effectively. Successful players will demonstrate compliance, transparency, and a focus on customer-centric solutions to navigate the ethical complexities of debt recovery. The overall market outlook remains optimistic, given the sustained growth in student loan debt globally and the growing need for professional debt recovery services.

Researchers are studying the changes in distribution of student loan debt and two measures of ability to repay between the 2019 and 2022 Surveys of Consumer Finances.

The booming student debt recovery market is projected to reach significant value by 2033, driven by rising student loan defaults and increasing education costs. This in-depth analysis explores market size, growth trends, key players, and regional insights into this dynamic sector.

Explore the booming student loan debt collection market analysis, revealing key trends, drivers, and restraints. Discover insights into regional market share, segmentation, and leading companies. Forecast to 2033.

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.

The educational debt recovery services market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the escalating cost of higher education and a corresponding increase in student loan defaults globally. The market's size, while not explicitly stated, can be reasonably estimated to be in the billions of dollars based on the prevalence of student debt and the established presence of numerous debt recovery agencies. A Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of, let's say, 8% – a conservative estimate considering the consistent rise in student loan debt – projects significant market expansion over the forecast period (2025-2033). Key drivers include stricter regulations aimed at improving debt collection practices, increasing government initiatives to address the student loan crisis, and technological advancements enabling more efficient debt recovery processes. Market segmentation reveals a strong focus on higher education, reflecting the substantial debt incurred at this level. However, the vocational education and training sector is also demonstrating growth, indicating an expanding market opportunity. Geographic distribution indicates that North America and Europe currently hold the largest market shares, but emerging economies in Asia-Pacific are showing considerable potential for future growth, propelled by rising enrollment rates and a developing higher education infrastructure. Challenges include stringent regulatory frameworks, potential for negative public perception surrounding aggressive debt collection tactics, and the inherent complexities in navigating diverse legal systems across different regions. The competitive landscape is fragmented, with numerous companies offering a range of services encompassing both litigation and non-litigation approaches. The leading players leverage technology and sophisticated strategies to maximize collection rates while maintaining ethical compliance. The future of the educational debt recovery services market is promising, influenced by ongoing technological innovations, shifting regulatory landscapes, and the persistent need to manage the growing burden of student loan debt. Strategic partnerships between debt recovery agencies and educational institutions will likely become increasingly important in minimizing the financial impact on students and ensuring timely debt resolution. The industry's evolution will depend on its ability to balance effective debt recovery with ethical considerations, transparency, and sustainable solutions.

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.

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.