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.

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.

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 1.63 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.

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.

In the academic year 2003/04, a total of 99.9 billion U.S. dollars was offered to students across the United States in the form of loans. By 2023/24, this amount had slightly decreased to 99 billion U.S. dollars. This amount peaked in 2010/11, when 159.2 billion U.S. dollars were provided in student loans.

Provides recipient and disbursement information each quarter for the Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan Programs by postsecondary school.

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.

Incidence and repayment of government student loans among graduates who did not pursue any further postsecondary education program, Canada and provinces. This table is included in Section B: Financing education systems of the Pan Canadian Education Indicators Program (PCEIP). PCEIP is an ongoing initiative of the Canadian Education Statistics Council, a partnership between Statistics Canada and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada that provides a set of statistical measures on education systems in Canada.

Graph and download economic data for Student Loans Owned and Securitized, Flow (DISCONTINUED) (FLSLOAS) from Q2 2006 to Q4 2024 about student, securitized, owned, flow, loans, and USA.

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.

The global student loan market, valued at approximately $XX million in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.20% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key factors. Rising higher education costs globally necessitate increased borrowing by students, driving market demand. Furthermore, the increasing availability of diverse loan options, including federal, private, and income-based repayment plans (IBR, REPAYE, etc.), caters to a wider range of student needs and financial situations. Technological advancements, such as online lending platforms and streamlined application processes, also contribute to market growth by enhancing accessibility and efficiency. The market is segmented by loan type (federal/government, private), repayment plan (standard, graduated, IBR, REPAYE), age group (24 or younger, 25-34, above 35), and end-user (graduate students, high school students). The increasing number of graduate students globally and a growing awareness of higher education's importance are significant contributors to market expansion. North America, particularly the United States, is expected to dominate the market due to high tuition fees and a well-established student loan system. However, the market faces certain constraints. Concerns regarding student loan debt burdens and potential defaults pose challenges to market growth. Stringent regulatory frameworks and evolving government policies surrounding student loan programs can also impact market dynamics. Competitive pressures among lending institutions and fluctuations in interest rates further influence the market landscape. Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook remains positive, driven by the persistent demand for higher education and the continuing evolution of financial aid solutions. Key players such as Earnest, Juno, Credible, Citizens Bank, Discover, Mpower, Prodigy, Federal Student Aid, Sallie Mae, and College Ave are actively competing in this dynamic market, continually innovating to capture market share. Geographical expansion into emerging markets with growing middle classes and increasing access to higher education is another significant growth opportunity. Recent developments include: October 2023: Discover unveiled its latest national brand campaign, titled "Especially for Everyone," featuring the acclaimed actress Jennifer Coolidge. In a groundbreaking move, Coolidge will take center stage in nationwide advertising efforts, spotlighting Discover's array of benefits and products. Of notable significance, this campaign marks the company's inaugural foray into promoting a deposit product, specifically highlighting Discover's Cashback Debit Checking Account., July 2023: Earnest, a fintech company dedicated to enhancing accessibility and affordability in higher education, joined forces with Nova Credit, a cutting-edge credit bureau with a global reach. Together, they have introduced International Private Student Loans, opening up new opportunities for students around the world to pursue their educational dreams.. Key drivers for this market are: Government Initiatives are Driving the Market, Growing Aspirations for International Education is Driving the Market. Potential restraints include: Government Initiatives are Driving the Market, Growing Aspirations for International Education is Driving the Market. Notable trends are: High Education Costs is Driving the Market.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, 497.5 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 599 billion U.S. dollars worth of student loans in repayment as of Q4 2024. During this time period, outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. totaled over 1.77 trillion U.S. dollars.

In the United States, taking out student loans to attend higher education has become a controversial course of action. In 2022, 36 percent of adults perceived taking out student loans in order to afford higher education in the United States as a financial risk. In contrast, 14 percent of adults said it was a good long-term investment.

Biden’s pause on payments

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration allowed for a pause on student loan payments which was extended to June 2023. It has since become clear that many adults in the U.S. will struggle to resume student loan payments, with 30 percent of U.S. adults reporting that they probably would not be able to afford to make payments towards their student loans once the pause expires. In addition, 60 percent of adults in the U.S. said that resuming payments towards their student loans would have a major impact on their financial security. Although President Biden has advocated for a student loan forgiveness plan to ease the transition into resuming student loan payments by first forgiving up to 20,000 U.S. dollars in student debt for many Americans, this plan came under criticism by conservative groups who have attacked the implementation of the policy in courts. In 2022, only a quarter of Republicans believed that student loan debt was a very serious problem, compared to over half of Democrats.

Affordability of higher education in America

Although many in the U.S. perceive the value of attending higher education as a pathway to a successful career, only nine percent of surveyed Americans believed that everyone in the U.S. had access to a quality, affordable education after high school if they wanted it. 36 percent of Americans who said that they definitely could not afford to resume student loan payments reported owing 75,000 to 100,000 U.S. dollars, which can amount to the cost of just one semester of college in the United States. Despite declining enrollment numbers in higher education institutions, colleges fees remain costly and younger Americans have started to question whether taking out student loans is worth the risk. U.S. adults aged 18 to 44 years old as well as those who earned under 50,000 U.S. dollars were both found less likely to believe that taking out student loans to attend higher education was worth it.

Provides snapshots of the outstanding federal student loan portfolio by loan program, loan type, loan status, repayment plan, delinquency, servicer, and various borrower demographics.

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 Education/Student Loans Market report segments the industry into By Type (Federal/Government Loan, Private Loan), By Repayment Plan (Standard Repayment Plan, Graduated Repayment Plan, Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE), and more.), By Age Group (24 or Younger, 25 to 34, Above 35), By End User (Graduate Students, High School Student, Other End-Users), and By Region.

The private student loan market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing tuition costs and a rising number of students pursuing higher education. While precise figures for market size and CAGR are not provided, a reasonable estimate based on industry trends suggests a market valued at approximately $150 billion in 2025, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 7% during the forecast period (2025-2033). This growth is fueled by several key factors: the expanding availability of diverse loan products tailored to undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs; increasing parental involvement in financing education; and the emergence of fintech companies offering streamlined, tech-driven application and loan management processes. The market is segmented by loan type (undergraduate, graduate, career training, others) and applicant (students, parents), allowing lenders to cater to specific needs and risk profiles. Geographic expansion is another significant driver, with North America currently dominating the market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges. Despite positive growth projections, the private student loan market faces certain challenges. These include fluctuating interest rates, stringent lending criteria which can exclude certain applicants, and increasing regulatory scrutiny aimed at protecting borrowers. Furthermore, the economic climate and overall student debt levels significantly influence demand. The competitive landscape is dynamic, with established financial institutions like Sallie Mae and Discover Bank competing with innovative fintech lenders like SoFi and LendKey, creating a complex interplay of offerings and pricing strategies. To maintain momentum, lenders must adapt to technological advancements, optimize their risk assessment models, and strategically target specific market segments to navigate these headwinds and sustain market share.

This dashboard provides access to data about student loans, which are closed-end loans to finance consumers' education, originated both by the federal government and by private lenders.