[smsm42]

I don't regret time spent getting higher ed, but I 1) worked while studying 2) didn't end up with debt 3) didn't do it in the US. I honestly have no idea what I would do in US with 100k+ debt load projected at the end of college. I wasn't that financially educated at 17-18... I don't think any common school even cares to give such tools to people. I guess I am lucky I hadn't have to face this problem, but I am kind of terrified what would happen with all that debt load and which social consequences it will bring.

[mrep]

Average student debt in the US is only $37,172 [1] which is not insurmountable to pay off.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_debt#United_States

[smsm42]

Better than I thought, but the trend is not inspiring. 37k is already a lot, and it keeps raising. I think it used to be that if you work while you study and don't go to elite school, you can graduate with little to no debt, not the case anymore. It was $17k even in 2003[1]. Now 37k. In 10 years? Either the trend breaks downward very soon, or we're facing a major crisis there.

[1] http://www.onlinecolleges.net/student-debt-in-the-u-s-part-2...

[rbritton]

The household total[0] is more than 30% higher though: $49,905. Combined with the average totals for other forms of debt, paying this off can end up stretched out over a long period of time.

[0]: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/average-credit-card-debt-hou...