11 Facts About College Debt

1. The state with the lowest student debt is Utah. The average debt in Utah is $15,509 with 44% of students in debt.
2. The state with the highest student debt is New Hampshire. The average debt in New Hampshire is $31,048 with 74% of students in debt.
3. The student loan balance now stands at $870 billion, surpassing the nation's $693 billion credit card balance.
4. Americans had $870 billion in student loan debt in the third quarter of 2011. That's nearly $2,800 per American.
5. Private school students can owe up to $35,000 more than public school students.
6. From the 2001-2002 school year and to the 2011-2012 school year, FAFSA has received three times more applications for student loans, going from 3,000,000 to 9,000,000.
7. In 2008, 84% of undergraduates had at least one credit card, up from 76% in 2004.
8. 85% of students working toward pharmacy (undergraduate and graduate) have student debt, owing an average of $81,838.
9. Only 50% of college graduates have full-time jobs.
10. The average college student debt has increased to $25,250.
11. 40% of adults above the age of 35 are still paying off student loans. 

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Sources: Huffington Post, Fin Aid, Bloomberg, ASA, The Atlantic, The New York Times, US News