Election 2012 - Issue 3: Student Debt

How has tuition increased?

Percent increase in cost of tuition over
the last 10 years:

Sources: #1

Total outstanding student debt is estimated to be more than $1 trilion in 2011…

…with $150 billion in private student loans and $864 billion in federal loans.

Sources: #1

Recent graduates from four-year colleges have monthly loan payments that make up a considerable portion of their income.

Unlike other consumer loans, student loans can’t be discharged by filing for bankruptcy.

Sources: #1

40% of those under 30 have outstanding student loan debt. For those 40 and older,
only 7% do.

Sources: #1

Financial aid has subsequently been rising steadily over the past 15 years.

Sources: #1 #2

What’s a degree worth these days?

Sources: #1

With the rising costs of tuition, many students delay or skip college entirely.

But statistically, not attending college may negatively impact employment and lifelong earning potential.

Sources: #1 #2