Student loans were long seen as “good debt,” but soaring tuition, changes to the federal lending system and a volatile job market are prompting many borrowers to question that. More than 42 million Americans now carry federal education debt totaling over $1.7 trillion, up from about $516 billion and 28 million borrowers 20 years ago. Average annual tuition and fees at a private four-year college rose from $14,550 (inflation-adjusted) in 1971-72 to $45,000 in 2025-2026, while the number of borrowers owing over $100,000 grew from 2.4 million to 3.8 million in the past decade. The article also notes that the “one big beautiful bill” act (OBBBA) eliminated several repayment plans and cut borrower safeguards, while AI is disrupting entry-level hiring.
Summary written by Upside AI from the original article. Read the source for full details.
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