Students graduating from Alabama State University carry the highest average debt burden among national universities, according to a recent report from U.S. News & World Report. This finding highlights the ongoing challenges many students face in financing their education.
The report, which analyzed loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education, found that 2020 and 2021 graduates at Alabama State University borrowed more than their peers at other schools.
Here’s just how much debt Alabama State University students are averaging after graduation.
How much debt do Alabama State University students average?
At Alabama State University, the typical student who takes out federal loans graduates with $31,000 in debt, the highest median total among all national universities included in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. That number reflects only federal loans from students who completed their degrees in 2020 & 2021.
In addition to high debt levels at graduation, a large share of students are borrowing from the start. According to the data, 74% of first-year, full-time students at Alabama State took out federal loans during the 2020-2021 academic year, a sign that for many students, borrowing is a necessary part of attending college.
National Universities where students graduate with the most debt
The report doesn’t single out just one institution. Several universities showed similar or slightly lower debt levels among graduates. Below are the top 10 national universities where student debt was the highest:
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Colorado Technical University
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Southern University and A&M College
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Texas Southern University
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American International College
About Alabama State University
Alabama State University is a public historically Black university in Montgomery, Ala., with roots dating back to 1867. The school enrolls just under 4,000 students, the majority of whom are undergraduates.
In-state tuition is approximately $11,000 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $19,000. ASU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1, and most classes have fewer than 20 students.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Students at Alabama State University face highest student loan debt
