How Student Loans Affect Credit: New 2025 Borrower Survey Data

Student loans are shaping people’s credit, causing delays or the impossibility of homeownership, and trapping borrowers in balances that only grow. These charts reveal the struggles that American people are facing: most are behind, many are in default, and the majority have seen their credit damaged due to student loans. For many, monthly payments are overwhelming, progress is nonexistent, and the debt is keeping them from moving forward.

110,000 people were asked, “How do your student loans affect your personal debt and credit situation?” – and this is what they said…

Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“How old are you?” Response 3D donut chart: 33% “55+” in dark blue, top left 16.6% “45-54” in yellow, bottom left 9.4% “Under 25” in green, top right 22.2% “25-34” in light blue, middle right 18.8% “35-44” in green, bottom right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“What is your credit score?” Response 3D donut chart: 11.9% “750+” in dark green, top left 4.8% “700-749” in dark blue, second left 7.1% “650-699” in yellow, third left 28.6% “600-649” in dark gray, bottom left 11.9% “Below 500” in light green, top right 35.7% “500-599” in blue, bottom right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“How many other people do you know whose credit has been impacted by student loans?”
38.1% “More than 5 people” in dark gray, top left 16.7% “None” in green, top right 31% “1-2 people” in blue, bottom left
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“What is your total current student loan debt?” Response 3D donut chart: 31% “$10,000-$50,000” in blue, top left 11.9% “Less than $10,000” in green, middle left 11.9% “More than $150,000” in dark blue, bottom left 28.6% “$50,000-$100,000” in yellow, right 16.7% “$100,000-$150,000” in dark gray, bottom center
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“What progress have you made since taking out your student loans?”
Response 3D donut chart: 21.4% “I’ve only paid interest / The balance hasn't gone down” in dark gray, top left 11.9% “I’ve made steady progress” blue, middle left 9.5% “I’ve paid down a large portion” green, bottom left 31% “I’ve fallen behind /I’ve made no progress” yellow, top right 26.2% “My loans have grown since taking them out” dark blue, bottom right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: “What is your average monthly payment?” Response 3D donut chart: 11.9% “$1,500-$2,249” in yellow on top left 16.7% “$750-$1,499” in dark gray, middle left 31% “$250-$749” in blue, bottom left 16.7% “Less than $250” in green, right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“Have student loans affected your credit?” Response 3D donut chart: 14.3% “Not really” in yellow, top left 21.4% “Somewhat” in blue, middle left 64.3% “Yes, significantly” in green, right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“Are you behind in your payments?” Response 3D donut chart: 38.1% “No” in blue on left 61.9% “yes” in dark gray on right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“Are you in default?” Response 3D donut chart: 23.8% Yes in green on left 52.4% No in blue on right 23.8% Unsure on bottom
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“Are you looking to buy a house?” Response 3D donut chart: 31% “No” in yellow on topleft 9.5% “Yes, but longer term” in dark gray, bottom left 11.9% “Yes, in the next 2-3 years” in blue, bottom center 14.3% “Yes, within the next year” in green, bottom right 33.3% “No, I don’t think I will ever be able to” in dark blue, top right
Question Headline in blue Poppins Regular font: 
“Have your student loans affected your ability to get a mortgage?” Response 3D donut chart: 35.7% “Not sure” in dark gray, left 26.2% “No” in yellow, bottom 38.1% “Yes” in green, right