[givinguflac]

You act like all of these kids (and that’s what they are when taking loans, kids) have a support structure and education that’s taught them how to make good long term financial choices. Not everyone has good parents who taught them finances, never mind long term life planning.

[dnautics]

No, but they all went to college, so they should have learned calculus, and derivatives. Even a debt that high should be payable with sweat and some deferral of immediate enjoyment, a situation that would have become obvious with just a little bit of math.

[lewilewilewi]

How did they go to college before they were making the decisions about taking a loan in order to go to college?

[dnautics]

The decision is about how to pay off that loan.

[tehwebguy]

Not every college path includes calculus.

[clintonb]

> No, but they all went to college, so they should have learned calculus, and derivatives.

I've been out of school for ten years, and haven't used calculus in about twelve. How exactly do you think knowing calculus would have helped here? Be careful assuming everyone learned the subject as you did and knows how/when to apply it to various situations.

Personally, I learned about interest rates in middle school. I used that knowledge, combined with additional research on subsidized loans, to decide to take out loans. I also had the advantage of learning the downsides of debt collection from my brother's mistakes.

Not everyone is a rational economic actor. Children/young adults ages 17-22 definitely aren't the most rational amongst us.