The Biden Administration’s recent announcement regarding student debt relief thrust the topic into the forefront of the news. Under the program, students awarded Pell Grants and who took out loans from the Department of Education will have $20,000 of debt canceled. Those without a Pell Grant will have $10,000 shaved off their outstanding balances.
According to the Department of Education, federal student loans currently total $1.6 trillion. All told, 45 million borrowers hold federal student loan debt. A typical undergraduate student leaves school $25,000 in debt. (These are the most expensive states to get a college education.)
Burdened by that much debt, many college graduates are not always able to keep up with monthly payments. But the numbers vary by state. To identify the states with the most past-due student debt, 24/7 Wall St. ranked states by the percentage of people with student debt 90 days past due in 2021 using data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The average student loan debt by state comes from the Education Data Initiative for 2022, while the percentage of graduating students with debt in 2019-2020 comes from The Institute for College Access and Success. Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree and the poverty rate in each state comes from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2020 five-year Estimates.
The state with highest percentage of student debt holders in arrears is Mississippi at nearly 11%. With the highest poverty rate in the nation, students may already have a tough time making ends meet. The state is also home to the second lowest percentage of bachelor degree graduates at 22.8%. (See the ZIP codes where the most people have college degrees.)
In New York state, only 4.8% of student loan borrowers have skipped payments and are 90 days past due – the lowest share in the nation. Yet all students struggling to pay down their federal loans can breathe a sigh of relief. The government extended the repayment hiatus until December 31.
Click here to see the states with the most past-due student debt.
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50. New York
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 4.8%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 54.0% – 19th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $37,678 – 8th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 37.5% – 9th highest
> Poverty rate: 13.6% – 17th highest
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49. South Dakota
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.2% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 73.0% – the highest
> Average borrower debt: $30,954 – 3rd lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.3% – 16th lowest
> Poverty rate: 12.8% – 21st highest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
48. North Dakota
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.2% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 66.0% – 3rd highest
> Average borrower debt: $28,604 – the lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.7% – 23rd lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.5% – 14th lowest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
47. New Hampshire
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.3% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 70.0% – 2nd highest
> Average borrower debt: $34,085 – 22nd lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 37.6% – 8th highest
> Poverty rate: 7.4% – the lowest
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46. Massachusetts
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.3% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 56.0% – 25th highest
> Average borrower debt: $34,146 – 23rd lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 44.5% – the highest
> Poverty rate: 9.8% – 9th lowest
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
45. Nebraska
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.4% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 60.0% – 12th highest
> Average borrower debt: $31,919 – 8th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.5% – 21st highest
> Poverty rate: 10.4% – 13th lowest
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44. Vermont
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.4% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 57.0% – 21st highest
> Average borrower debt: $37,516 – 10th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.7% – 6th highest
> Poverty rate: 10.8% – 16th lowest
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43. Minnesota
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.6%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 64.0% – 5th highest
> Average borrower debt: $33,604 – 19th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.8% – 10th highest
> Poverty rate: 9.3% – 5th lowest
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
42. New Jersey
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.9% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 63.0% – 8th highest
> Average borrower debt: $35,434 – 20th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 40.7% – 4th highest
> Poverty rate: 9.7% – 6th lowest
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41. Utah
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 5.9% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 39.0% – the lowest
> Average borrower debt: $32,835 – 12th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.7% – 15th highest
> Poverty rate: 9.1% – 3rd lowest
Source: PhilAugustavo / iStock via Getty Images
40. Washington
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.1%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 47.0% – 9th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $35,510 – 19th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.7% – 11th highest
> Poverty rate: 10.2% – 11th lowest
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39. Wisconsin
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.2%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 63.0% – 8th highest
> Average borrower debt: $31,894 – 7th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.8% – 25th lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.0% – 17th lowest
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
38. Maine
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.3%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 63.0% – 8th highest
> Average borrower debt: $33,137 – 16th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.5% – 22nd highest
> Poverty rate: 11.1% – 18th lowest
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
37. Connecticut
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.4% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 57.0% – 21st highest
> Average borrower debt: $35,162 – 24th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 40.0% – 5th highest
> Poverty rate: 9.8% – 8th lowest
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36. Idaho
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.4% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 58.0% – 18th highest
> Average borrower debt: $33,012 – 15th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.7% – 13th lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.9% – 23rd lowest
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
35. Rhode Island
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.5%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 64.0% – 5th highest
> Average borrower debt: $32,056 – 9th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 35.0% – 13th highest
> Poverty rate: 11.6% – 22nd lowest
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34. Colorado
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.6%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 49.0% – 11th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $36,822 – 15th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 41.6% – 2nd highest
> Poverty rate: 9.8% – 7th lowest
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
33. Iowa
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.7% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 60.0% – 12th highest
> Average borrower debt: $30,464 – 2nd lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.3% – 17th lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.1% – 19th lowest
Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images
32. Illinois
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.7% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 57.0% – 21st highest
> Average borrower debt: $37,757 – 6th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 35.5% – 12th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.0% – 25th lowest
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31. Virginia
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.7% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 55.0% – 23rd lowest
> Average borrower debt: $39,165 – 3rd highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.5% – 7th highest
> Poverty rate: 10.0% – 10th lowest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
30. Montana
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.7% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 55.0% – 23rd lowest
> Average borrower debt: $33,149 – 17th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.1% – 19th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.8% – 22nd highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. Maryland
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.8% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 55.0% – 23rd lowest
> Average borrower debt: $42,861 – the highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 40.9% – 3rd highest
> Poverty rate: 9.0% – 2nd lowest
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28. Wyoming
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 6.8% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 48.0% – 10th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $31,250 – 4th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.2% – 12th lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.8% – 15th lowest
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27. California
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 7.0%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 46.0% – 5th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $37,084 – 12th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.7% – 14th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.6% – 24th highest
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26. Pennsylvania
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 7.1% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 64.0% – 5th highest
> Average borrower debt: $35,385 – 23rd highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.3% – 23rd highest
> Poverty rate: 12.0% – 24th lowest
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
25. Delaware
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 7.1% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 60.0% – 12th highest
> Average borrower debt: $37,559 – 9th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.7% – 20th highest
> Poverty rate: 11.4% – 20th lowest
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24. Hawaii
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 7.4%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 45.0% – 3rd lowest
> Average borrower debt: $36,765 – 16th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.6% – 18th highest
> Poverty rate: 9.3% – 4th lowest
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
23. Kansas
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 7.7%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 60.0% – 12th highest
> Average borrower debt: $32,578 – 10th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.9% – 17th highest
> Poverty rate: 11.4% – 21st lowest
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
22. Alaska
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 7.9%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 47.0% – 9th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $34,024 – 21st lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.0% – 20th lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.3% – 12th lowest
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21. Michigan
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.1% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 58.0% – 18th highest
> Average borrower debt: $36,116 – 18th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.0% – 19th lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.7% – 15th highest
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
20. Missouri
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.1% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 56.0% – 25th highest
> Average borrower debt: $35,397 – 21st highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.9% – 18th lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.0% – 19th highest
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19. North Carolina
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.1% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 55.0% – 23rd lowest
> Average borrower debt: $37,721 – 7th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.0% – 25th highest
> Poverty rate: 14.0% – 14th highest
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
18. Florida
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.1% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 47.0% – 9th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $38,459 – 4th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.5% – 22nd lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.3% – 18th highest
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
17. Oregon
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.2%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 53.0% – 17th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $37,017 – 13th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.4% – 16th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.4% – 25th highest
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16. Ohio
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.3% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 59.0% – 17th highest
> Average borrower debt: $34,721 – 25th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.9% – 14th lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.6% – 16th highest
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
15. Arizona
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.3% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 47.0% – 9th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $35,396 – 22nd highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.3% – 21st lowest
> Poverty rate: 14.1% – 13th highest
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14. Texas
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 8.4%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 52.0% – 14th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $32,920 – 14th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.7% – 24th lowest
> Poverty rate: 14.2% – 12th highest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
13. Indiana
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.0% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 57.0% – 21st highest
> Average borrower debt: $32,874 – 13th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.2% – 9th lowest
> Poverty rate: 12.9% – 20th highest
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
12. Louisiana
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.0% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 53.0% – 17th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $34,525 – 25th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.9% – 4th lowest
> Poverty rate: 18.6% – 2nd highest
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11. Tennessee
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.0% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 53.0% – 17th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $36,418 – 17th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.2% – 11th lowest
> Poverty rate: 14.6% – 10th highest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
10. Arkansas
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.0% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 54.0% – 19th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $33,333 – 18th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.8% – 3rd lowest
> Poverty rate: 16.1% – 6th highest
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9. Georgia
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.1%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 56.0% – 25th highest
> Average borrower debt: $41,639 – 2nd highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.2% – 24th highest
> Poverty rate: 14.3% – 11th highest
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8. South Carolina
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.2%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 60.0% – 12th highest
> Average borrower debt: $38,414 – 5th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.0% – 15th lowest
> Poverty rate: 14.7% – 9th highest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
7. Kentucky
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.4% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 61.0% – 11th highest
> Average borrower debt: $32,779 – 11th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.0% – 5th lowest
> Poverty rate: 16.6% – 5th highest
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6. Alabama
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.4% (tie)
> Percent of graduates with debt: 51.0% – 13th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $37,137 – 11th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.2% – 8th lowest
> Poverty rate: 16.0% – 7th highest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Oklahoma
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.5%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 50.0% – 12th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $31,525 – 5th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.1% – 7th lowest
> Poverty rate: 15.3% – 8th highest
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4. Nevada
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.6%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 46.0% – 5th lowest
> Average borrower debt: $33,743 – 20th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.5% – 6th lowest
> Poverty rate: 12.8% – 23rd highest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. New Mexico
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 9.8%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 45.0% – 3rd lowest
> Average borrower debt: $34,211 – 24th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.1% – 10th lowest
> Poverty rate: 18.6% – 3rd highest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
2. West Virginia
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 10.0%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 66.0% – 3rd highest
> Average borrower debt: $31,690 – 6th lowest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.3% – the lowest
> Poverty rate: 17.1% – 4th highest
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1. Mississippi
> Student loan debt 90 days past due: 10.8%
> Percent of graduates with debt: 58.0% – 18th highest
> Average borrower debt: $36,902 – 14th highest
> Adults w/ at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.8% – 2nd lowest
> Poverty rate: 19.6% – the highest
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