Young People in Debt

In a previous article here, "The Financial Risks of College", I offered some numbers on the increasing debt load of college students. Of the two-thirds of students who finance their education, the average accumulation by 2003-4 was $20,000. Interest rates offered by private financing can be as high as 20%, which in the worst cases are severely compounded by default fees. About 10% of students are defaulting over a ten year period, and for those with loads higher than $15,000, the default rate doubles. It's a grim start at a time when young people are preparing to start their own families.

Graphic from National CrossTalk.