Who defaults on their loans the most?
Borrowers aged 45-59 were more likely to have their loans in default. This could reflect challenges faced by adult students who juggle multiple responsibilities, including child and elder care, employment, and education.
- Race. Consistent with earlier research, the survey found that Black (50%) and Hispanic (40%) borrowers are more likely to have their loans default than White borrowers (29%). ...
- Age. ...
- Gender. ...
- Disability status. ...
- Marital status.
The highest-income 40% of households (those with incomes above $74,000) owe almost 60% of student loan debt. These borrowers make almost three-quarters of student loan payments. The lowest-income 40% of households hold just under 20% of student loans and make only 10% of the payments.
Key takeaways. A personal loan is in default if you fail to make a scheduled payment on time. Reaching out to your lender early can help you avoid serious damage to your credit score and even legal action. Debt consolidation and working with a credit counselor can be helpful strategies for managing loan default.
How Many People Are Currently in Default on Their Student Loans? By the end of 2021, roughly 3 million people were in student loan default — that's about 7% of all borrowers.
But the median debt-to-asset ratio for white families is 26.5%, while it was 46.8% for Black families, 46.2% for Hispanic families and 37.3% for other non-white races and ethnicities, an Employment Benefits Institute study found.
- People aged 40-49 hold the highest amount of debt with $4.21 trillion in total.
- By 2030, Millennials (born between 1981 to 1996) are expected to have the most total debt at an average of $228,891 per person.
Black and African American student borrowers are the most likely to struggle financially due to student loan debt making monthly payments of $250. Asian college graduates are the fastest to repay their loan debt and the most likely to earn a salary that exceeds their student loan debt balance.
— Who defaults: Most student borrowers who were in default in September 2021 were Pell Grant recipients (67 percent) and those who hadn't completed their academic program (62 percent). Only about 22 percent of defaulted borrowers were dependents and 3.5 percent had ever taken out loans for graduate school.
It's natural for people listening to the politicians to connect the two facts with a causal arrow: More debt leads to more default. But the reality is surprising: Borrowers who owe the most are least likely to default. The reason for this strange pattern? The biggest borrowers tend to become the highest earners.
Which type of college has the highest default rate for all students?
The type of college with the highest default rate for all students is generally for-profit colleges. For-profit colleges often have higher tuition fees and lower graduation rates compared to public or non-profit colleges.
Research from EducationData.org shows that almost 45.3 million Americans hold an average federal student loan debt balance of $37,338. Combined, student loan debt in the U.S. adds up to nearly $2 trillion. According to the same data, the average student loan monthly payment is $503.
Over 60 percent of borrowers in default did not complete their degree, which often results in lower levels of student debt due to shorter periods in school. But even relatively low levels of debt can be unaffordable for students from low-income backgrounds who do not see a return from a college degree.
Average student loan debt in America
As of the third quarter of 2023, Americans owed $1.74 trillion in education debt. 51% of 2021-22 bachelor's degree recipients graduated with an average of $29,400 in student loan debt. Among all borrowers, the average student loan debt in 2023 was $38,290.
Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve. That figure factors in every type of debt, from credit card balances and student loans to mortgages, car loans and more. The exact definition of debt free can vary, though, depending on whom you ask.
A majority, 65%, say they live paycheck to paycheck, according to CNBC and SurveyMonkey's recent Your Money International Financial Security Survey, which polled 498 U.S. adults. That's a slight increase from last year's results, which found that 58% of Americans considered themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck.
Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714. Achieving a good credit score can help you qualify for a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate and better terms.
The World Happiness Report is out and Finland has once again been declared the happiest country in the world. However, the report reveals that Gen Z (aged 15-24) are unhappy.
A gigantic wealth transfer over roughly the next decade will likely make millennials “the richest generation in history,” according to a report from global real estate consultancy Knight Frank.
Younger American (millennial and Gen Z) families represented 33.1% of households and owned 9.3% of total family wealth (72% less wealth) in 2023. The baby boomers' shortfall was the smallest of the generations. SOURCES: Distributional Financial Accounts and Institute for Economic Equity calculations.
Who actually holds student debt?
The federal government or a commercial entity owns your student loans. Private companies own all private loans. The U.S. Department of Education holds most federal loans. Both the Department of Education and private institutions partner with third parties called student loan servicers.
Out of the multiple countries we examined, the United Kingdom and the United States hold the record for the highest average student loan debt. In England, students graduate with an average student loan debt of over $54,000, while in the U.S. students have an average of $28,400 at graduation.
An average of 7% of student loans are in default at any given time. An average of 430,000 students defaulted between 2015-2018 after the second year of repayment. Roughly 4 million student loans enter default each year.
The consequences of default can range from ineligibility to receive more federal financial aid or having the default reported to credit bureaus, to forced collections practices like tax refund and Social Security benefit confiscation, and paycheck garnishment, as well as associated fees.
Defaulting on a loan can have a significant negative impact on your credit score. Other consequences can vary depending on the type of loan you have. Potential ramifications include foreclosure or repossession, collection calls or a lawsuit that could result in wage garnishments, liens and more.
References
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/how-many-mortgage-payments-can-i-miss/
- https://www.self.inc/info/debt-by-age-group-generation/
- https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-pay-your-bills-when-you-lose-your-job-4801711
- https://www.thecut.com/article/what-if-i-never-pay-my-credit-card-bill.html
- https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/why-you-should-avoid-foreclosure-bailout-loans.html
- https://www.pscu.com/insights/blogs/pscu-payments-index-february-2024-credit-card-delinquency-rates-escalating-to-above-pre-pandemic-levels
- https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/10/31/high-interest-rates-is-hurting-one-more-industry-mortgage-lenders
- https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/help_for_homeowners/foreclosure_assistance/if_you_fall_behind
- https://smartasset.com/student-loans/average-student-loan-interest-rate
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/639685/us-home-ownership-rate-by-race/
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/americans-credit-card-debt-hits-record-113-trillion/story?id=106990807
- https://www.corelogic.com/press-releases/corelogic-us-serious-mortgage-delinquency-rate-remained-all-time-low-october/
- https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-education/2023/12/04/new-data-on-federal-student-loan-defaults-00129833
- https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2024/20240206
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/average-mortgage-term-length/
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/american-opinions-on-personal-finances-and-us-economy-since-2020-election/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/1-rule-real-estate
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/average-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/average-credit-card-debt-in-america/
- https://money.com/auto-loan-credit-card-bill-delinquencies/
- https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2023/02/at-what-cost-the-impact-of-student-loan-default-on-borrowers
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-piggyback-second-mortgage-en-1955/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/people-are-falling-behind-on-credit-card-bills-and-auto-loans-at-an-alarming-rate
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-delinquencies-rising-its-all-pandemics-fault-scott-fulford-wslhe?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_reshare_feed-article-content
- https://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-the-American-population-lives-apartments-and-what-percent-in-houses
- https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc
- https://www.housingwire.com/articles/mortgage-delinquencies-increase-for-second-straight-quarter-mba/
- https://www.pymnts.com/real-estate/2023/record-high-share-of-americans-have-paid-off-their-homes/
- https://www.stlouisfed.org/institute-for-economic-equity/the-state-of-us-wealth-inequality
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/how-many-capital-one-cards-can-you-have/
- https://lo.primelending.com/pclick/calculators/paying-extra-towards-mortgage
- https://brainly.com/question/42279632
- https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/podcast/documents/borrowing-money-how-much-mortgage-can-i-afford.pdf
- https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/credit-card-debt-statistics/
- https://www.credit.com/blog/how-long-does-foreclosure-take/
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/americans-fall-credit-card-debt
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251586/mortgage-borrowers-behind-on-mortgage-payments-by-age-usa/
- https://www.axios.com/2023/12/12/mortgage-free-homes
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/06/credit-card-delinquencies-surged-in-2023-indicating-financial-stress-new-york-fed-says.html
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-card-debt-how-to-pay-off/
- https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/millions-spend-years-in-student-loan-default/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/how-much-house-can-i-afford-70k-salary/
- https://www.ppic.org/blog/californias-high-housing-costs-have-created-a-million-house-rich-millionaires/
- https://legal-info.lawyers.com/bankruptcy/foreclosures/which-states-have-long-foreclosure-timelines.html
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/credit-card-debt-record-high/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/mortgages/articles/youll-never-guess-how-many-americans-own-their-own-homes/
- https://nadiakilburn.com/dont-make-partial-mortgage-payments-when-you-are-behind-on-your-mortgage/
- https://www.firstrepublic.com/insights-education/average-american-debt
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-long-does-a-late-mortgage-payment-affect-your-credit/
- https://www.investopedia.com/national-debt-relief-review-5092836
- https://fortune.com/recommends/credit-cards/average-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/score-basics/what-is-a-good-credit-score/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/student/student-debt-by-country/
- https://ktla.com/news/california/california-has-lowest-rate-of-home-ownership-in-america-study/
- https://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/car-repossession-how-many-missed-payments
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/wealth-transfer-millennials-to-become-richest-generation-in-history.html
- https://www.islandernews.com/lifestyle/homes/real-estates-80-20-rule---an-introduction-to-mortgage-insurance/article_b7b1534e-3214-11ee-8374-3b2bae179091.html
- https://dcba.lacounty.gov/portfolio/foreclosure/
- https://educationdata.org/student-loan-default-rate
- https://www.unison.com/blog/what-happens-after-late-mortgage-payment/
- https://www.cabotwealth.com/daily/personal-finance/extra-mortgage-payments-save-thousands
- https://www.doorloop.com/blog/renter-and-homeowner-statistics
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/personal-loans/what-is-a-personal-loan-default/
- https://www.debt.org/real-estate/mortgages/how-to-pay-30-year-mortgage-in-15-years/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/can-i-refinance-if-behind-on-mortgage-payments/
- https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/average-age-of-first-time-homebuyers/
- https://www.quickenloans.com/learn/why-does-my-mortgage-lender-need-my-bank-statements
- https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/if-car-repossessed-i-pay-off-the-entire-loan-balance-back.html
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-bans-excessive-credit-card-late-fees-lowers-typical-fee-from-32-to-8/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/upshot/why-students-with-smallest-debts-need-the-greatest-help.html
- https://www.wellsfargo.com/financial-education/homeownership/loan-amortization-extra-payments/
- https://smartasset.com/mortgage/how-much-mortgage-can-i-afford
- https://www.stessa.com/blog/states-with-highest-percent-people-behind-on-mortgages/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-credit-score
- https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/world-happiness-report-finland-gen-z-unhappiest-generation-13750931.html
- https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/u-s-mortgage-market-statistics/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/this-is-the-average-age-most-americans-become-mortgage-free
- https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/student-loan-default-rate-facts-statistics/
- https://www.trepp.com/trepptalk/cmbs-delinquency-rate-inches-up-in-february-driven-by-office
- https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/late-mortgage-payment/
- https://www.propertyshark.com/info/us-homeownership-rates-by-state-and-city/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/tips-to-pay-off-mortgage-in-5-years/
- https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/debt-management/articles/-/learn/pay-bills-to-catch-up-when-behind/
- https://www.hud.gov/topics/avoiding_foreclosure/foreclosuretips
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/principal-only-payments/
- https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/home/articles/pay-off-mortgage-faster
- https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-by-race
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/average-american-debt-by-age/
- https://www.fidelitybank.com/resources/knowledge-center/calculator-how-much-will-i-save-by-increasing-my-mortgage-payment/
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/credit-cards/what-is-the-average-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.newsweek.com/us-housing-mortgage-delinquency-rise-fed-rates-impact-transunion-report-1867945
- https://dfi.wa.gov/homeownership/reverse-mortgages
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-does-it-mean-to-default-on-a-loan/
- https://time.com/6957322/why-credit-card-debt-is-high/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/40-of-americans-pay-off-their-house-are-they-doing-better-financially
- https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-one-common-reason-people-have-so-much-credit-card-debt-2018-08-28
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/refinance-mortgage-requirements
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/additional-principal-payment
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-much-americans-owe-on-their-mortgages-in-every-state/
- https://upsolve.org/learn/california-repossession-laws/
- https://www.lovetoknow.com/life/work-life/how-determine-if-my-neighbor-has-mortgage-his-house
- https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/states-with-most-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-the-28-36-rule-for-buying-a-home/
- https://www.discover.com/home-loans/articles/should-you-make-extra-mortgage-payments/
- https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/who-owes-the-most-student-loan-debt
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-mortgage-forbearance-en-289/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/205959/us-mortage-delinquency-rates-since-1990/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/who-owns-my-student-loans
- https://www.autocreditexpress.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-repo-company-can-t-find-my-car/
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/average-student-loan-debt
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/debt-free-by-age-45/
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/mortgages/how-become-mortgage-free-by-50/
- https://osbornehomes.com/california-foreclosure-process-and-timeline/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-american-debt
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/05/030905.asp
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/help-paying-mortgage-rent-homeowners-renters/
- https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/data-visualizations/2024/who-experiences-default
- https://smartasset.com/mortgage/mistakes-to-avoid-when-paying-off-your-mortgage-early
- https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/01/24/student-loan-borrowers-with-certain-demographic-characteristics-more-likely-to-experience-default
- https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/average-length-of-homeownership/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/mortgage-default
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/credit-card-delinquency-rates-hit-worst-level-record
- https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shouldnt-make-extra-mortgage-payments-36886679
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/credit/when-does-old-debt-fall-off-credit-report/
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-happens-if-i-can-t-pay-my-mortgage-anymore-2385726
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/median-home-prices-by-state/
- https://www.moneylion.com/learn/debt-after-7-years/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/what-percentage-of-america-is-debt-free-2140664784/
- https://upsolve.org/learn/mortgage-grace-period/
- https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgage-industry-prepares-to-ride-out-troubles-in-2023
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwake/2023/03/31/us-has-3rd-lowest-percentage-of-households-that-own-their-homes-without-mortgages/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/debt-ceiling-deadline-default-impact-on-your-money-social-security-mortgage/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/09/most-of-americans-are-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-heres-why.html
- https://bluewatermtg.com/faq/what-is-the-2-rule-and-is-it-useful/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-long-will-it-take-to-pay-off-5000-in-credit-card-debt/
- https://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/demographics/
- https://watcher.guru/news/us-housing-99-americans-cannot-afford-buy-house-2023