30 Americans Share Their Student Loans And The Rest Of The World Can’t Understand How This Can Be Real
Higher education is meant to get you ahead of the competition. But if you study in the US and have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for it, in a way, the diploma also sets you back. While the country remains the world's most popular destination for international students, it's also among the most expensive choices. However, the locals have a pretty hard time paying for it too.
A few days ago, American Twitter user Wee-Yum shared a screenshot of their student debt: $82,649.35. "This is my student loan amount," they wrote. "I don't stress because it ain't ever getting paid off." In order to find solace, Wee-Yum asked others to share their numbers as well.
Since this has been such a hot public topic, it didn't take long before the tweet went viral. Generating over 93.4K likes, it has received plenty of replies with staggering dollar amounts. Sadly, you can feel that some of the people who shared them seem pretty hopeless about it.
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The data on the topic is becoming difficult to comprehend: the total amount of outstanding student loans reached an all-time high in 2020—$1.6 trillion. Based on the current rate of growth, this number can reach $2 trillion by 2024.
About 43% of Americans who went to college took on some form of debt in order to get through their studies. However, when it comes to today's students, the situation is even worse. Roughly 54% of them need to borrow money to cover their educational costs.
Most of this debt is carried by younger adults. Borrowers between the ages of 25 and 34 carried roughly $498 billion in federal student loan debt as of the second quarter of 2019. Adults ages 35-49 carried even more debt, with student loan balances totaling $558 billion. Meanwhile, those who are 50-61 owe about $230 billion in student loans.
Kelley Marie, one of the people who contributed to the thread, was already a mom when she took her student loan. "I knew I needed to do better for myself, for [my kids'] sake as well as mine. I simply could not afford college on my own, so it was a risk that I simply decided to take," she told Bored Panda.
Her total debt at graduation was about $65k. "I have both federal loans and private loans," Kelley said. "When I first graduated the payment was undoable, something like $750+ so I deferred my federal loans and ended up on interest on for my private ones. It piled up for the first several years (my first job out of school only paid about $30k) and at that time I was a single mom to two kids."
The program Kelley wanted was a private university and there wasn't another one in the area where she lived. "I want to say that maybe I would have chosen another field, but that really sucks to be stuck in that situation. I don't know how I could have worked more (I freelanced during college) between full-time classes and being a mother. But that being said, my older girls are now 18 and 16, and I am pushing them to take out as few loans as possible. Me drowning in my own loans kept me from saving for their education. But I can help them navigate the system in a way my parents did not. Searching for jobs that offer grants, and comparing schools."
Another Twitter user who shared the details on their situation was @LBoogie5. They said they wanted to complete their dream of going to and finishing college and also didn't have a way to pay for out of state tuition.
"I took about $80K in federal loans and $50k in private. With compounding daily interest the amount owed ballooned to $195K," they said. "I have since paid off the higher interest (12%) private loans ($70k in total) and some of the federal loans, leaving me with $103K left."
If they were to go back and do it all over again, @LBoogie5 said they would not take out the private loans as they don't have much payment flexibility.
Izeek Onigbiinday said they didn't really think about it when they were applying for their student loan. "I was more focused on school and making sure I had enough money to be able to pay for my classes," Izeek explained.
"I went to a private out of state school so it was pretty expensive, about $40-50k per semester, plus having to borrow to cover my fourth year since it was all rotations which required living in different states and getting an apartment which all had to come out of pocket on top tuition."
"If I could do it again I would borrow [too] just because the reward of my career now is worth it," Izeek said. "As a pharmacist, I make enough to pay for my loans and not have to paycheck-to-paycheck and I am grateful for that. The only thing I would probably change is deciding to go to medical school, only because I would have the opportunity to specialize and make even more money."
For Scott Quenette, another person whose tweet you can see in the thread, a student loan was the only way to go to college so he took it on as a necessary evil. "[My] loan total is around $150k, including interest," Scott told Bored Panda. "I've paid $18k so far and it's all been interest so I just assume I'll be paying it forever. It's all federal so it's manageable. Just an annoying bill every month."
If he were to go back in time and plan his higher education all over again under the same circumstances, however, Scott would probably make the same decisions. "I might try a few things differently so I could actually pay it off but at this point, it's not breaking me."
"My overall point has not been 'get me off the hook for this' but that I could be putting that money into the economy, this is an economic stimulus more than anything," he said.
Yes, the sheer size of student debt weighs not only on the millions of people who owe it but is a burden on the U.S. economy as well. About 92% of student loan debt is backed by the U.S. government, making it a huge political issue.
oh dang! that doesn't say a lot about return on your investment!! :(
Not wise. And more sad is that this will affect her ability to buy a home, a car, and even get a job in the finance industry.
I started repaying my loans (I was 1 class short of finishing my bachelors) in 1997. I never defaulted but I did defer and forbear. I originally took out less than $10K, it's now $26k, I've been paying for over two decades
I wanna know what kind of job she has that would pay enough to clear up almost $300K in 2.5 years.
I'm curious where she lives that 60k isn't enough to live on. New York or San Francisco maybe? Or maybe I just live in an area with a way lower cost of living than everywhere else and didn't realize it.
It will go down once you finish that little program. After that, this person should never contact Navient or whoever again.
Bloody hell, if I had to pay that out of my monthly wages I'd have nothing left after all my bills were paid. I mean literally nothing. And I have a decent job as well.
THIS! Be a student your entire life. Put all of your earnings into an irrevocable trust so when you die the money passes to someone other than these pieces of shirt banks.
If you're expecting a CONgress that only gave $1200 one time to help people with COVID to do anything to help you, you are going to be GREATLY disappointed. They couldn't care less about you if they tried.
Note: this post originally had 58 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I never understood why Americans let this and things like medical care be taken on them. Just because they fear socialism, which they often mistakenly equate with communism. Whereby "the Americans" is of course a generalization. Of course, education and medicine are also available in e.g. Europe not for nothing. But everyone supports it. That is not socialism but maximally social. Above all, it is no bit more social when you let people who want a basic education go into life with horrendous debts. Where I come from, that's called anti-social. But somehow it doesn't seem to bother anyone. I always see that every American complains about it, but nothing has changed about it for decades. Education, like medicine, should be a universal human right and not reserved for those who can afford it or who are willing to plunge into debt. And yes, that is socialism. But is it so wrong?
It isn't the fear of socialism so much as it is the illusion of choice. No matter what party is in office, revising the system to move to universal healthcare or forgive any sort of student loan debt would be blocked by the corporations that profit from them. Politicians are not that strong and they rely on those corporations for campaign funds because you have to spend millions to get elected, no way around it. It is a structural issue that is deeper than people being afraid of socialism. The majority of Americans actual are in favor of education and healthcare reform, but we don't have power over that sort of thing in our lives, just the illusion of it. Only thing we get to make a decision on is what brand of dish wash we buy and even those are all the same damn thing.
@Marc: It's propaganda and the fact that we no longer live in a democracy. It is a "guided" or "managed" democracy. From wikipedia: "Guided democracy, also called managed democracy,[1] is a formally democratic government that functions as a de facto autocracy. Such governments are legitimized by elections that are free and fair, but do not change the state's policies, motives, and goals.[2] In other words, the government controls elections so that the people can exercise all their rights without truly changing public policy. While they follow basic democratic principles, there can be major deviations towards authoritarianism. Under managed democracy, the state's continuous use of propaganda techniques prevents the electorate from having a significant impact on policy.[3]"
Also, I don't think what you are talking about is socialism, is it? I thought there weren't any socialist states or only a tiny handful, that it was mostly a failed experiment. You are talking about social programs, but the government didn't come in and nationalize your private companies and all that other stuff that socialist states do.
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This is kind of a dumb take. “Why do you let your oppressive government oppress you? I don’t get it!” The fuçk. Like it’s obviously really nuanced and the explanation isn’t just some simple thing someone can tell you. But it’s also super obvious. You don’t get how dumb people vote against their own interests, really? Yes you do. Either you do, or you’re not using your brain to just think about what’s going on.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
People in the USA are not picking schools for the education they are doing it for the lifestyle. You see in USA movies those huge college campuses with private apartments, huge sports arenas that are larger than professional places in Europe? Well those are reality not fiction and in large cities there are multiple ones of them. If people wanted an education not he lifestyle most states provide a method that is cheap. Most people in the USA don't leave college with a debt and for those that do the average amount is under the cost of a car. The people here are the 1% are most of them are going for degrees that will pay them midish six-figure incomes when they graduate and most of them will retire with seven figure incomes.
Yeah, all of what you just said is false. Small town girl here, went to a public state school, spent as little as possible and it was still around 20K/year. Finished my major requirements early but had to stay for general ed requirements. Then, to d**k you over more, I went to a satellite campus, same uni, closer to home for the last year to be closer to my mother with cancer. Had to go back to the main campus to be "on campus" my last 12 credits. Doesn't matter my first 3 years were technically there, including a study abroad year. Most people can't afford to even start college. I was only able to because my mother took out loans for me. She was only able to do that because she paid her student loans on time. Most of the people on this list will probably make about half of what you think.
ohh, bullsh*t, Big W***y. public school, second-tier, or maybe third, no dorms when i was there OR greeks. Just a commuter campus. went to community colleges as much as i could to mitigate cost at the beginning. BS in Mechanical engineering and Master's of Engineering and $67,000 in student loans. NO
I went to a public state school as well. I paid each semester as I went. I owe around $12,000 but $7,000 is interest because I quit paying it a few years ago.
They should have answered the most important question, what degree did they pursue with their loans.
Exactly!!! Or what college did they go to. You dont have to go a state school to get your degree in most things.
Went to a community college then state university in Florida (one of the cheapest states to get a degree), worked full time at the University I was attending but had to take out around $30,000 in loans even though I was getting pell grants. I owe $67,000 now. I work in healthcare research and I have a good job but I know some of my professors and doctors who are still paying of their student loan debt. It ain't no joke.
Okay but remember how most people are in poverty? That changes your entire reasoning.
Yes and where did they go. I went to state school and graduated 5 years ago. No loans outstanding and make $100k/yr. I think there needs to be more taught about loans and careers before going to college.
Bravo! And why do they act surprised? If you borrowed $100,000, why can't you get your head around the fact that you owe $100,000 with interest?
How the fück is this even a relevant question, as if it changes the amount or the reasonableness of what they owe. That’s actually a really dumb question. Either way they owe it and either way if they’re working as an employee of someone, it’s not going to be easy to pay it off no matter what they do. This is just a way of hiding the trashiness of making fun of someone’s degree.
The student load default rate in the US for 2019 is 10%. Where is this crisis?
The only 2 types of degrees that you should take loans out for is being a doctor or lawyer. All other professions is silly and foolish to take out loans
So kids from poor families can only be lawyers or doctors?
AlphaPuck no
education in America is a scam since even with a degee people still can't find job that has a decent wage.
True. Universities should mostly take the blame, since they spread lies about how important a college degree is when the best course for one to go is to enroll in a trade school.
You gotta spend money to make money, so they say. Trade schools aren't free. I'm in school to be an electrician and still had to take out loans for it.
I agree that the school is partly to blame but the Fed Govt is a bigger problem. When you subsidize school, it leads to inflation.
Sure does seem to have a bad track record when it comes to return on investment. Only reason why I got my Masters is because my job paid for it. Average graduate degree is $300,000.
Lisa +
I never understood why Americans let this and things like medical care be taken on them. Just because they fear socialism, which they often mistakenly equate with communism. Whereby "the Americans" is of course a generalization. Of course, education and medicine are also available in e.g. Europe not for nothing. But everyone supports it. That is not socialism but maximally social. Above all, it is no bit more social when you let people who want a basic education go into life with horrendous debts. Where I come from, that's called anti-social. But somehow it doesn't seem to bother anyone. I always see that every American complains about it, but nothing has changed about it for decades. Education, like medicine, should be a universal human right and not reserved for those who can afford it or who are willing to plunge into debt. And yes, that is socialism. But is it so wrong?
It isn't the fear of socialism so much as it is the illusion of choice. No matter what party is in office, revising the system to move to universal healthcare or forgive any sort of student loan debt would be blocked by the corporations that profit from them. Politicians are not that strong and they rely on those corporations for campaign funds because you have to spend millions to get elected, no way around it. It is a structural issue that is deeper than people being afraid of socialism. The majority of Americans actual are in favor of education and healthcare reform, but we don't have power over that sort of thing in our lives, just the illusion of it. Only thing we get to make a decision on is what brand of dish wash we buy and even those are all the same damn thing.
@Marc: It's propaganda and the fact that we no longer live in a democracy. It is a "guided" or "managed" democracy. From wikipedia: "Guided democracy, also called managed democracy,[1] is a formally democratic government that functions as a de facto autocracy. Such governments are legitimized by elections that are free and fair, but do not change the state's policies, motives, and goals.[2] In other words, the government controls elections so that the people can exercise all their rights without truly changing public policy. While they follow basic democratic principles, there can be major deviations towards authoritarianism. Under managed democracy, the state's continuous use of propaganda techniques prevents the electorate from having a significant impact on policy.[3]"
Also, I don't think what you are talking about is socialism, is it? I thought there weren't any socialist states or only a tiny handful, that it was mostly a failed experiment. You are talking about social programs, but the government didn't come in and nationalize your private companies and all that other stuff that socialist states do.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
This is kind of a dumb take. “Why do you let your oppressive government oppress you? I don’t get it!” The fuçk. Like it’s obviously really nuanced and the explanation isn’t just some simple thing someone can tell you. But it’s also super obvious. You don’t get how dumb people vote against their own interests, really? Yes you do. Either you do, or you’re not using your brain to just think about what’s going on.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
People in the USA are not picking schools for the education they are doing it for the lifestyle. You see in USA movies those huge college campuses with private apartments, huge sports arenas that are larger than professional places in Europe? Well those are reality not fiction and in large cities there are multiple ones of them. If people wanted an education not he lifestyle most states provide a method that is cheap. Most people in the USA don't leave college with a debt and for those that do the average amount is under the cost of a car. The people here are the 1% are most of them are going for degrees that will pay them midish six-figure incomes when they graduate and most of them will retire with seven figure incomes.
Yeah, all of what you just said is false. Small town girl here, went to a public state school, spent as little as possible and it was still around 20K/year. Finished my major requirements early but had to stay for general ed requirements. Then, to d**k you over more, I went to a satellite campus, same uni, closer to home for the last year to be closer to my mother with cancer. Had to go back to the main campus to be "on campus" my last 12 credits. Doesn't matter my first 3 years were technically there, including a study abroad year. Most people can't afford to even start college. I was only able to because my mother took out loans for me. She was only able to do that because she paid her student loans on time. Most of the people on this list will probably make about half of what you think.
ohh, bullsh*t, Big W***y. public school, second-tier, or maybe third, no dorms when i was there OR greeks. Just a commuter campus. went to community colleges as much as i could to mitigate cost at the beginning. BS in Mechanical engineering and Master's of Engineering and $67,000 in student loans. NO
I went to a public state school as well. I paid each semester as I went. I owe around $12,000 but $7,000 is interest because I quit paying it a few years ago.
They should have answered the most important question, what degree did they pursue with their loans.
Exactly!!! Or what college did they go to. You dont have to go a state school to get your degree in most things.
Went to a community college then state university in Florida (one of the cheapest states to get a degree), worked full time at the University I was attending but had to take out around $30,000 in loans even though I was getting pell grants. I owe $67,000 now. I work in healthcare research and I have a good job but I know some of my professors and doctors who are still paying of their student loan debt. It ain't no joke.
Okay but remember how most people are in poverty? That changes your entire reasoning.
Yes and where did they go. I went to state school and graduated 5 years ago. No loans outstanding and make $100k/yr. I think there needs to be more taught about loans and careers before going to college.
Bravo! And why do they act surprised? If you borrowed $100,000, why can't you get your head around the fact that you owe $100,000 with interest?
How the fück is this even a relevant question, as if it changes the amount or the reasonableness of what they owe. That’s actually a really dumb question. Either way they owe it and either way if they’re working as an employee of someone, it’s not going to be easy to pay it off no matter what they do. This is just a way of hiding the trashiness of making fun of someone’s degree.
The student load default rate in the US for 2019 is 10%. Where is this crisis?
The only 2 types of degrees that you should take loans out for is being a doctor or lawyer. All other professions is silly and foolish to take out loans
So kids from poor families can only be lawyers or doctors?
AlphaPuck no
education in America is a scam since even with a degee people still can't find job that has a decent wage.
True. Universities should mostly take the blame, since they spread lies about how important a college degree is when the best course for one to go is to enroll in a trade school.
You gotta spend money to make money, so they say. Trade schools aren't free. I'm in school to be an electrician and still had to take out loans for it.
I agree that the school is partly to blame but the Fed Govt is a bigger problem. When you subsidize school, it leads to inflation.
Sure does seem to have a bad track record when it comes to return on investment. Only reason why I got my Masters is because my job paid for it. Average graduate degree is $300,000.
Lisa +