What degrees have the most debt?

Degrees in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Law consistently top the list for the most student debt due to lengthy programs and high tuition, with doctoral programs in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and related fields often showing the highest median debt (over $300k), followed by Medical and Dental degrees (around $200k-$300k), and Law degrees (around $150k-$160k). Other high-debt areas include some Master's programs, especially in fields like Mental Health, and even some undergraduate degrees in Curriculum & Instruction, according to some analyses.

What degree has the most student debt?

Here are some of the programs with the most student debt based on 2022 median debt:

• Doctoral degree, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration - $310,330.
• Doctoral degree, mental and social health services and allied professions - $207,407.
• Doctoral degree, psychology - $187,804.

What profession has the highest debt?

The typical student in the U.S. borrows more than $35,000 in student loans to earn a bachelor's degree. However, graduates of certain professions owe significantly more. Oral surgeons, orthodontists, and radiologists face some of the highest average student loan debts.

What college has the highest debt?

Atop the list is Maine Maritime Academy, where 2019 graduates who borrowed left with an average debt load of $56,897 – nearly $27,000 above the average among all ranked colleges.

How much would a $70,000 student loan be monthly?

A $70,000 student loan's monthly payment varies widely, from roughly $750 to over $6,000, depending on interest rates (APR) and repayment term, with a 10-year loan at 5% being around $742/month, while a 1-year term at 14% jumps to $6,285/month; federal loans offer income-driven plans (IDR) for lower payments, but private loans depend heavily on credit score and term length.
 

I Asked People How Much Debt They Have

Is $100,000 in student debt a lot?

What is considered a lot of student loan debt? A lot of student loan debt is more than you can afford to repay after graduation. For many, this means having more than $70,000 – $100,000 in total student debt.

What is the 7 year rule on student loans?

The "7-year rule" for student loans mostly refers to when negative marks, like defaults, fall off your credit report, typically 7 years after the first missed payment, but it's not a discharge from owing the debt; the debt itself often remains, especially for federal loans which have no statute of limitations and can be pursued indefinitely. In bankruptcy, the rule means federal student loans are generally dischargeable only if it's been over seven years since you stopped being a student, though private loans have different rules and federal loans are extremely difficult to discharge. 

What percent of Americans are 100% debt free?

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more. The exact definition of debt free can vary, though, depending on whom you ask.

How long would it take to pay off $100,000 in a student loan?

Paying off $100k in student loans typically takes 10 to 25 years, depending on your interest rate and monthly payment, with standard plans aiming for 10 years but many borrowers extending to 20+ years; aggressive payments can cut the timeline significantly, while lower income-driven plans can last even longer, often leading to 20-25 year forgiveness options. For example, at 6% interest, a 10-year plan costs about $1,110/month, while longer plans lower payments but increase total interest paid. 

What college has the most unhappiest students?

Top 10 Unhappiest Colleges in the U.S.

• United States Naval Academy.
• St. ...
• Illinois Institute of Technology. ...
• Seton Hall University. ...
• Pace University. ...
• CUNY Baruch College. ...
• Cornell University. ...
• Clarkson University. To top off this list, Clarkson University is a private research university located in Potsdam, NY. ...

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Jobs that can pay $400K a year without a degree include commercial real estate brokers, successful YouTubers or influencers, self-employed software developers, high-stakes sales roles like enterprise tech sales, and business owners. These roles rely on skill, market demand, and performance rather than formal education.

Which actor wiped out debt for 900 families?

Actor Michael Sheen paid off $1.3 million worth of debt for his neighbors. Plus, this guy has been diving for lost golf balls for 30 years.

What degree leads to the most money?

What Are the Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees?

• Aerospace Engineering. Want to help build planes, rockets, or missiles? ...
• Computer Engineering. ...
• Electrical Engineering. ...
• Chemical Engineering. ...
• Mechanical Engineering. ...
• Computer Science. ...
• Finance. ...
• Economics.

How many people have $100,000 in student loans?

Around 3.6 million U.S. student loan borrowers owe more than $100,000 in federal student debt, a figure that has grown significantly, representing about 7% of all borrowers, with many of these larger debts concentrated among graduate and professional degree holders, according to late 2025 data from the BestColleges and CNBC. 

Do student loans get forgiven after 20 years?

Yes, federal student loans can be forgiven after 20 or 25 years under Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans, depending on the loan type and when they were taken out, with undergraduate loans generally qualifying in 20 years and graduate loans after 25 years, though the PSLF program offers forgiveness in 10 years for public service workers. The SAVE Plan (a type of IDR) offers faster forgiveness for smaller balances, and a one-time IDR adjustment is helping borrowers get closer to forgiveness faster. 

How many Americans have $20,000 in credit card debt?

A majority of Americans (53%) carry some, with an average balance of $7,719. However, a third of those carrying debt (32%) owe $10,000 or more, while almost 1 in 10 (9%) have credit card debt over $20,000.

How much is the monthly payment on a $70,000 student loan?

A $70,000 student loan's monthly payment varies widely, from roughly $750 to over $6,000, depending on interest rates (APR) and repayment term, with a 10-year loan at 5% being around $742/month, while a 1-year term at 14% jumps to $6,285/month; federal loans offer income-driven plans (IDR) for lower payments, but private loans depend heavily on credit score and term length.
 

Is it true that after 7 years your credit is clear?

It's partially true: most negative items like late payments and collections fall off your credit report after about seven years, but the debt itself might still exist, and bankruptcies last longer (up to 10 years). The 7-year clock starts from the date of the first missed payment, not when it goes to collections, and older negative info must be removed by law, though the debt isn't always forgiven. 

Which gender has more debt?

Men have 2 percent more credit card debt than women. Men have 9.7 percent more mortgage debt than women. Men have 20 percent more personal loan debt than women. Women have 2.7 percent more student loan debt than men.

What is the credit card limit for $70,000 salary?

The credit limit you can expect for a $70,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $14000 to $21000, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.

Is being debt-free the new rich?

Yes, for many people, being debt-free feels like the new rich because it provides immense financial freedom, peace of mind, and security, even if it doesn't mean having millions in the bank; it shifts the definition of wealth from pure income to a lack of financial burdens, allowing for more saving, investing, and enjoying life without stress. While traditional wealth is assets minus liabilities, eliminating debt frees up income for wealth-building, making it a significant step towards financial well-being and independence, especially as many struggle with rising costs and stagnant wages. 

What happens if you never pay off your student loans?

If you never pay off your student loans, you face severe financial penalties, including major credit score damage, wage garnishment, seizure of tax refunds, loss of eligibility for future aid, and potential lawsuits, with the entire loan balance becoming due immediately (acceleration) after default. The government can intercept federal payments like Social Security, and the debt can follow you indefinitely, impacting your ability to buy homes, get credit, and potentially leading to extreme collection tactics, even involving law enforcement. 

Are student loans forgiven at age 70?

No, federal student loans aren't automatically forgiven at age 70; there's no age-based forgiveness in the U.S., but older borrowers can get relief through Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans (forgiveness after 20-25 years), Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) after 10 years in public service, or Total & Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge if disabled, with efforts to offer relief for long-term older borrowers ongoing. Defaulting can lead to up to 15% of Social Security benefits being garnished, so enrollment in IDR or PSLF is crucial for seniors. 

At what age will my student loan be written off?

when you reach 65 or 30 years after your repayment due date (whichever is sooner) if you die before you pay the loan off. if you permanently cannot work due to a disability and receive a disability-related benefit - the SLC will look for written proof from a medical professional for this.