How Do Your Student Loan Balances Compare to the Average 25-34 Year Old Today?

Core Insights - As of September 2025, there are approximately 14.3 million borrowers aged 25 to 34 with a total federal student loan debt of $480 billion, averaging $33,566 per borrower, which is lower than the overall average of $39,546 [1][7] Group 1: Impact of COVID-19 on Borrowers - The COVID-19 pandemic led to a payment pause for all borrowers, complicating repayment for those aged 25 to 34, many of whom have not made payments in nearly six years [2] - The end of the payment pause in 2023 resulted in negative impacts on borrowers' credit scores and potential defaults starting in 2024 [4] Group 2: Changes in Repayment Plans - Borrowers in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan have been under administrative forbearance since July 2024, with the plan announced to end in December 2025, leaving uncertainty about future repayment [5] - A new income-driven repayment plan, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), will be available for enrollment starting July 1, 2026, potentially offering lower or similar monthly payments compared to existing plans [8] Group 3: Delinquency Rates - Despite fewer younger borrowers being delinquent compared to older borrowers, about 10% of the loan portfolio for borrowers aged 18 to 29 is in serious delinquency, indicating significant challenges in repayment [9]