Where you attended college — and which state you live in — significantly affects how much student debt you carry. Average student loan balances in 2026 range from under $22,000 in Utah to more than $54,000 in the District of Columbia. These differences reflect tuition levels, public versus private college enrollment rates, graduate school participation, and local wages that influence repayment pace. Understanding where your state falls helps you benchmark your own debt and choose the right repayment strategy.
Average Student Loan Debt by State (2026)
Avg student loan debt per borrower 2026 · Source: Dept of Education · TICAS · studentloancalcpro.com
Data combines federal Direct Loan balances from the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid office and private loan estimates from TICAS, for borrowers who have left school.
| State | Avg. Debt | % With Loans | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $54,149 | 59% | High concentration of graduate programs |
| Maryland | $43,586 | 62% | High private college attendance, professional degrees |
| Georgia | $39,887 | 61% | Strong private college market, HBCU enrollment |
| Virginia | $38,416 | 56% | Professional degree programs, high cost of living |
| Florida | $37,916 | 55% | Large for-profit sector historically |
| Pennsylvania | $37,257 | 66% | Highest borrower share among large states |
| New Hampshire | $37,129 | 57% | Highest tuition relative to state aid |
| National Average | $37,338 | 55% | All borrowers who have left school |
| Iowa | $28,450 | 57% | Strong community college system, in-state tuition |
| Montana | $28,116 | 48% | Lower college enrollment rates overall |
| Wyoming | $27,549 | 41% | High wage-to-debt ratio; strong public institutions |
| North Dakota | $27,042 | 44% | Strong public university value, low private enrollment |
| Utah | $21,937 | 40% | Lowest average debt nationally; high in-state value |
Federal vs. Private Loans: Key Differences
The national average of $37,338 combines two very different borrower groups. Federal loan balances average approximately $30,000 per borrower, while private student loan balances average $54,921 — reflecting that private borrowers often attend more expensive institutions or have exhausted federal lending limits. About 7.8 million Americans carry private student loans, representing roughly 18 percent of all outstanding student debt.
Key federal portfolio data from studentaid.gov (2026):
- Total federal student loan portfolio: $1.6 trillion
- Borrowers in income-driven repayment: 8.4 million
- Borrowers currently in default: approximately 7.5 million
- Average federal loan balance per borrower: $29,800
Choosing the Right Repayment Strategy
If your balance is below the national average of $37,338, Standard or Graduated repayment typically minimizes total interest. If your balance exceeds $60,000 — typical of graduate-level borrowing — income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) deserve serious consideration. PSLF forgives remaining federal balances after 120 qualifying payments while working for a government or nonprofit employer.
Model Your Repayment Options
Use our student loan repayment calculator to compare your monthly payment and total interest cost under Standard, Graduated, and Income-Driven Repayment plans side by side.