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The Global Insight

What is the average debt of graduates?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 09, 2026

Average debt at graduation from public and nonprofit colleges was $28,800 in 2019, a $400 decrease from 2018. 66% of graduates from public colleges had loans as of May 2018 (average debt of $25,550) 75% of graduates from private, nonprofit colleges had loans as of May 2018 (average debt of $32,300)

How much debt does the average college graduate have when they are finished with their degree?

Among all public university graduates, including those who didn’t borrow, the average debt at graduation is $16,300. To put that amount of debt in perspective, consider that the average bachelor’s degree holder earns about $25,000 more per year than the average high school graduate.

How much debt do business majors have?

The average MBA student graduates business school with an average of $66,300 in undergraduate and graduate debt. The average business school debt was $66,300 in 2015-16, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

How much debt do graduate students generally take on?

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Education, among recent graduates who borrowed to earn a post baccalaureate certificate, master’s, doctoral or professional degree: Average grad school loan debt: $84,300.

How much debt is the average law student in?

74.1% of law school students graduate in debt. $118,400 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school. $155,300 is the average amount borrowed to attend one of the top 10 law schools. Fewer than 1-in-4 new law school graduates say their legal education was worth the financial cost.

What is a reasonable amount of college debt?

The student loan payment should be limited to 8-10 percent of the gross monthly income. For example, for an average starting salary of $30,000 per year, with expected monthly income of $2,500, the monthly student loan payment using 8 percent should be no more than $200.

What Major has the most student debt?

Average student loan debt by major varies, but investing in one’s education correlates with higher earnings….Unsurprisingly, majors in STEM-related fields make up the top five majors with the highest earnings-to-debt ratio:

  • Physical Sciences.
  • Computer Engineering.
  • Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Computer Science.