Special Report

States Where Students Graduate With the Most Debt

Burlingham / Getty Images

Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders unveiled today a plan to eliminate all outstanding student loan debt in the United States. Student loan debt is a growing crisis, hitting an all time high of $1.5 trillion in 2019 and overtaking auto loans and credit card debt in the last decade. Today, more than 44 million Americans, or one in five adults, are saddled with student loan debt.

Though there are millions of Americans well into their 60s still paying off student loans, the problem is most pronounced among recent graduates. Some 58% of graduates from the class of 2017 are carrying debt, with debt averaging a staggering $28,288.

According to data from LendEDU, a financial product information website, student debt is not uniform across the country. In some states, recent graduates have nearly double the debt of recent graduates in other states. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the average student debt among borrowers of the class of 2017 to identify the states where students graduate with the most debt.

Student debt burdens can have serious consequences, impacting both the borrower and society at large. Student debt has caused over a quarter of borrowers to wait to get married, over a third to wait to start a family, and over half to delay saving for retirement and buying a home, according to LendEDU.

As the crisis grows more urgent, proposals to address the issue are also becoming more common. Some high-profile lawmakers, including Sanders, have called for outright debt forgiveness, and the Treasury Department has recommended mandatory financial literacy courses for college students. Some of the states investing the most in higher education in the form of low-tuition public universities and loan programs are among the states with the lowest average debt.

While southern states struggle the most with credit card debt, student loan debt tends to be concentrated in the Northeast.

Click here to see the states where students graduate with the most student debt
Click here to read our methodology

johnnya123 / Getty Images

50. Utah
> Avg. debt per borrower: $18,425
> Graduates with debt: 39% (the lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 34.6% (12th highest)
> Median household income: $68,358 (13th highest)

See all stories featuring: Utah

[in-text-ad]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

49. New Mexico
> Avg. debt per borrower: $21,805
> Graduates with debt: 53% (14th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.1% (11th lowest)
> Median household income: $46,744 (5th lowest)

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

f11photo / Getty Images

48. Nevada
> Avg. debt per borrower: $22,026
> Graduates with debt: 49% (7th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 24.9% (6th lowest)
> Median household income: $58,003 (25th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Nevada

choness / Getty Images

47. California
> Avg. debt per borrower: $22,383
> Graduates with debt: 50% (11th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.6% (16th highest)
> Median household income: $71,805 (8th highest)

See all stories featuring: California

[in-text-ad-2]

SeanXu / Getty Images

46. Wyoming
> Avg. debt per borrower: $22,524
> Graduates with debt: 47% (3rd lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.6% (13th lowest)
> Median household income: $60,434 (19th highest)

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

july7th / Getty Images

45. Washington
> Avg. debt per borrower: $23,359
> Graduates with debt: 52% (13th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 35.5% (11th highest)
> Median household income: $70,979 (10th highest)

See all stories featuring: Washington

[in-text-ad]

Meinzahn / iStock

44. Florida
> Avg. debt per borrower: $23,556
> Graduates with debt: 50% (11th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.7% (23rd lowest)
> Median household income: $52,594 (12th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Florida

Davel5957 / Getty Images

43. Arizona
> Avg. debt per borrower: $23,913
> Graduates with debt: 54% (15th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.4% (21st lowest)
> Median household income: $56,581 (23rd lowest)

See all stories featuring: Arizona

ademyan / Getty Images

42. Hawaii
> Avg. debt per borrower: $24,955
> Graduates with debt: 49% (7th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 32.9% (18th highest)
> Median household income: $77,765 (3rd highest)

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

[in-text-ad-2]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

41. Tennessee
> Avg. debt per borrower: $25,054
> Graduates with debt: 56% (21st lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.3% (12th lowest)
> Median household income: $51,340 (10th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

Chilkoot / Getty Images

40. Alaska
> Avg. debt per borrower: $25,349
> Graduates with debt: 46% (2nd lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.8% (17th lowest)
> Median household income: $73,181 (7th highest)

See all stories featuring: Alaska

[in-text-ad]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

39. Nebraska
> Avg. debt per borrower: $25,501
> Graduates with debt: 55% (18th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.7% (21st highest)
> Median household income: $59,970 (21st highest)

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

38. North Dakota
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,080
> Graduates with debt: 66% (6th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.7% (25th lowest)
> Median household income: $61,843 (18th highest)

See all stories featuring: North Dakota

Kruck20 / Getty Images

37. North Carolina
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,164
> Graduates with debt: 58% (22nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.3% (24th highest)
> Median household income: $52,752 (13th lowest)

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

[in-text-ad-2]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

36. Oklahoma
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,270
> Graduates with debt: 48% (5th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 25.5% (8th lowest)
> Median household income: $50,051 (8th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

35. Arkansas
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,561
> Graduates with debt: 55% (18th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.4% (3rd lowest)
> Median household income: $45,869 (3rd lowest)

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

[in-text-ad]

CodyHaskell / Getty Images

34. Idaho
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,604
> Graduates with debt: 61% (14th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 26.8% (10th lowest)
> Median household income: $52,225 (11th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Idaho

Creative-Family / Getty Images

33. Colorado
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,662
> Graduates with debt: 52% (13th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 41.2% (2nd highest)
> Median household income: $69,117 (11th highest)

See all stories featuring: Colorado

f11photo / Getty Images

32. Louisiana
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,808
> Graduates with debt: 48% (5th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.8% (4th lowest)
> Median household income: $46,145 (4th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

[in-text-ad-2]

f11photo / Getty Images

31. Missouri
> Avg. debt per borrower: $26,834
> Graduates with debt: 59% (18th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.1% (20th lowest)
> Median household income: $53,578 (15th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Missouri

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

30. Texas
> Avg. debt per borrower: $27,001
> Graduates with debt: 55% (18th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.6% (22nd lowest)
> Median household income: $59,206 (23rd highest)

See all stories featuring: Texas

[in-text-ad]

svetlana57 / Getty Images

29. Oregon
> Avg. debt per borrower: $27,550
> Graduates with debt: 57% (23rd lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.7% (14th highest)
> Median household income: $60,212 (20th highest)

See all stories featuring: Oregon

RudyBalasko / Getty Images

28. Kansas
> Avg. debt per borrower: $27,604
> Graduates with debt: 58% (22nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.7% (14th highest)
> Median household income: $56,422 (21st lowest)

See all stories featuring: Kansas

benedek / Getty Images

27. West Virginia
> Avg. debt per borrower: $27,608
> Graduates with debt: 70% (3rd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 20.2% (the lowest)
> Median household income: $43,469 (the lowest)

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

[in-text-ad-2]

alexeys / Getty Images

26. Kentucky
> Avg. debt per borrower: $28,078
> Graduates with debt: 60% (16th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 24.0% (5th lowest)
> Median household income: $48,375 (7th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

25. Georgia
> Avg. debt per borrower: $28,376
> Graduates with debt: 57% (23rd lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.9% (25th highest)
> Median household income: $56,183 (19th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Georgia

[in-text-ad]

peeterv / Getty Images

24. Montana
> Avg. debt per borrower: $28,389
> Graduates with debt: 59% (18th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 32.3% (19th highest)
> Median household income: $53,386 (14th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Montana

lhongfoto / Getty Images

23. Illinois
> Avg. debt per borrower: $28,424
> Graduates with debt: 61% (14th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 34.4% (13th highest)
> Median household income: $62,992 (16th highest)

See all stories featuring: Illinois

HaizhanZheng / Getty Images

22. Maryland
> Avg. debt per borrower: $28,844
> Graduates with debt: 56% (21st lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 39.7% (3rd highest)
> Median household income: $80,776 (the highest)

See all stories featuring: Maryland

[in-text-ad-2]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

21. Virginia
> Avg. debt per borrower: $29,316
> Graduates with debt: 56% (21st lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 38.7% (5th highest)
> Median household income: $71,535 (9th highest)

See all stories featuring: Virginia

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

20. Indiana
> Avg. debt per borrower: $29,405
> Graduates with debt: 58% (22nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 26.8% (10th lowest)
> Median household income: $54,181 (17th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Indiana

[in-text-ad]

KudicM / Getty Images

19. Iowa
> Avg. debt per borrower: $29,411
> Graduates with debt: 62% (11th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.9% (18th lowest)
> Median household income: $58,570 (25th highest)

See all stories featuring: Iowa

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

18. Wisconsin
> Avg. debt per borrower: $29,569
> Graduates with debt: 65% (7th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.4% (24th lowest)
> Median household income: $59,305 (22nd highest)

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

17. Vermont
> Avg. debt per borrower: $29,656
> Graduates with debt: 60% (16th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 38.3% (7th highest)
> Median household income: $57,513 (24th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Vermont

[in-text-ad-2]

AndreyKrav / Getty Images

16. Ohio
> Avg. debt per borrower: $29,723
> Graduates with debt: 64% (8th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.0% (15th lowest)
> Median household income: $54,021 (16th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Ohio

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

15. Mississippi
> Avg. debt per borrower: $30,268
> Graduates with debt: 50% (11th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.9% (2nd lowest)
> Median household income: $43,529 (2nd lowest)

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

14. South Carolina
> Avg. debt per borrower: $30,310
> Graduates with debt: 58% (22nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.0% (15th lowest)
> Median household income: $50,570 (9th lowest)

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

13. Maine
> Avg. debt per borrower: $30,321
> Graduates with debt: 59% (18th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 32.1% (20th highest)
> Median household income: $56,277 (20th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Maine

bluebeat76 / Getty Images

12. New Jersey
> Avg. debt per borrower: $30,794
> Graduates with debt: 62% (11th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 39.7% (3rd highest)
> Median household income: $80,088 (2nd highest)

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

[in-text-ad-2]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

11. Michigan
> Avg. debt per borrower: $30,978
> Graduates with debt: 58% (22nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.1% (20th lowest)
> Median household income: $54,909 (18th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Michigan

Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

10. Minnesota
> Avg. debt per borrower: $31,231
> Graduates with debt: 68% (4th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 36.1% (9th highest)
> Median household income: $68,388 (12th highest)

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

9. Massachusetts
> Avg. debt per borrower: $31,319
> Graduates with debt: 59% (18th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 43.4% (the highest)
> Median household income: $77,385 (4th highest)

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

8. South Dakota
> Avg. debt per borrower: $31,332
> Graduates with debt: 73% (2nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.1% (16th lowest)
> Median household income: $56,521 (22nd lowest)

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

spyarm / Getty Images

7. New York
> Avg. debt per borrower: $31,506
> Graduates with debt: 64% (8th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 36.0% (10th highest)
> Median household income: $64,894 (14th highest)

See all stories featuring: New York

[in-text-ad-2]

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

6. Connecticut
> Avg. debt per borrower: $31,643
> Graduates with debt: 58% (22nd highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 38.7% (5th highest)
> Median household income: $74,168 (5th highest)

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

5. Alabama
> Avg. debt per borrower: $31,861
> Graduates with debt: 50% (11th lowest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 25.5% (8th lowest)
> Median household income: $48,123 (6th lowest)

See all stories featuring: Alabama

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

4. New Hampshire
> Avg. debt per borrower: $33,462
> Graduates with debt: 74% (the highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 36.9% (8th highest)
> Median household income: $73,381 (6th highest)

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

ymn / Getty Images

3. Delaware
> Avg. debt per borrower: $34,144
> Graduates with debt: 62% (11th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.5% (22nd highest)
> Median household income: $62,852 (17th highest)

See all stories featuring: Delaware

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

2. Rhode Island
> Avg. debt per borrower: $35,371
> Graduates with debt: 64% (8th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.5% (17th highest)
> Median household income: $63,870 (15th highest)

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

[in-text-ad-2]

f11photo / Getty Images

1. Pennsylvania
> Avg. debt per borrower: $36,193
> Graduates with debt: 67% (5th highest)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.4% (23rd highest)
> Median household income: $59,195 (24th highest)

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

Methodology

To identify the states with the most student debt, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the average student debt per borrower by state in 2019, which was compiled by LendEDU. The percentage change from the class of 2016, as well as the portion of graduates with debt, is also from LendEDU. Bachelor’s degree attainment rate and the median household income for earners 25-44 is from the American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates for 2017.

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)

Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.

Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.

Click here now to get started.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.