New Analysis Projects Class Of 2026 Will Borrow $43,500 For A Bachelor’s Degree

New Analysis Projects Class Of 2026 Will Borrow $43,500 For A Bachelor’s Degree

Author: The College Investor May 7, 2026 Duration: 5:59

High school seniors heading to public four-year colleges this fall could graduate with more than $43,000 in student loans, according to a new NerdWallet analysis of National Center for Education Statistics data.

Why It Matters: The projection lands as federal repayment plans change on July 1, the SAVE plan ends, and AI pressure on entry-level jobs pushes more students to question whether a bachelor's degree still pencils out.


Hosted by Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor and a recognized Millennial Money Expert, The College Investor Audio Show transforms the website's most valuable insights into a daily, conversational format. This podcast directly tackles the financial hurdles unique to a generation, moving beyond theory into practical, actionable strategies. Each episode focuses on the core pillars of modern financial health: systematically eliminating student loan debt, demystifying the fundamentals of investing, and creating actionable paths to increase your income. The goal is clear: to guide you from a place of debt management to one of confident wealth building. You'll hear straightforward advice on navigating repayment plans, understanding where and how to start investing even with limited capital, and exploring side hustles or career moves that make a real difference. It’s a resource for anyone feeling stalled by their loans and eager to lay a solid foundation for their future. Tune in for a no-nonsense take on millennial money, where complex topics are broken down into manageable steps you can apply immediately.
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Treasury Set To Ramp Up Defaulted Student Loan Collections In July [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:00
Hundreds of thousands of federal student loan borrowers in default could start hearing from the government and their debt collectors as soon as July, as the Treasury Department prepares to take over a piece of the Educat…