The Student Debt Crisis

LIVES ON HOLD

Millions of Americans who went to college seeking a better future now face crushing debt from student loans—while the industry makes a handsome profit. How a broken system landed so many in this mess.

From Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting

The Student Debt Crisis

LIVES ON HOLD

Millions of Americans who went to college seeking a better future now face crushing debt from student loans—while the industry makes a handsome profit. How a broken system landed so many in this mess.

From Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting

I feel I kind of ruined my life going to college.

Jackie Krowen, 33

$152,000 in student debt

Faces of Student Debt
Read more

Debt is the first thing I factor in all of my decisions.

Jessie Suren, 28

$90,000 in student debt

I feel I kind of ruined my life by going to college.

Jackie Krowen, 32

$152,000 in student debt

They said they would definitely take away [my father's pension]. They said they have every right.

VANESSA McCLURG, 29

$73,000 in student debt

Faces of Student Debt

- Read more

HAVING THE COLLEGE MONEY TALK

10 key questions every family should consider before taking on student loans

Choosing a college is one of the most consequential, and costly, decisions a young person makes. Families can use this guide from Consumer Reports to start talking about smart ways to pay for it all.

COSTING IT OUT

The Way You Repay Really Matters

You have a lot of options when it comes to repaying your federal student debt. The path you choose can mean the difference between an affordable payment and a debt that balloons out of control. Consumer Reports designed this special interactive feature to show how a standard repayment plan compares to other scenarios—including what happens if you don't pay at all.

DEGREES OF DEBT AND REGRET

A new Consumer Reports survey of student borrowers shows the heavy burden of debt on young lives:

45%

OF PEOPLE WITH STUDENT DEBT SAY COLLEGE WAS NOT WORTH THE COST.

STUDENT DEBT VS. MORTGAGE DEBT

Not all debt is created equal

Here are some of the ways student debt is harder to manage than a mortgage.

STUDENT DEBT VS. MORTGAGE DEBT

Not all debt is created equal

Here are some of the ways student debt is harder to manage than a mortgage.

The Student Debt Crisis

LIVES ON HOLD

The Student Debt Crisis

LIVES ON HOLD

HAVING THE COLLEGE MONEY TALK

10 key questions every family should consider before taking on student loans

COSTING IT OUT

The Way You Repay Really Matters

DEGREES OF DEBT AND REGRET

A new Consumer Reports survey of student borrowers shows the heavy burden of debt on young lives:

45%

SUFFERING FROM STUDENT DEBT?

Don't know how you are going to pay for college?

America's higher education system is broken, leaving families and young people confused about how to pay for college and too often saddled with debt. Share your story with Consumer Reports, so we can fight for change.

STUDENT DEBT VS. MORTGAGE DEBT

Not all debt is created equal

STUDENT DEBT VS. MORTGAGE DEBT

Not all debt is created equal