"Graduating seniors who just finished their degrees on average carry debts of $19,000 or more. On the other hand, medical graduate students carry debts in the range $19,000 - $105,000 (Source: Department of Education).

Tuition fees have risen 32% at 4 year private colleges whilst they have risen by 41% at public universities and colleges. Average accomodation and board and room fees at private colleges cost $29000 at private colleges while costing $12000 at public institutions."

read full article here http://www.moneysavingfreetips.com/student-loan-debts.html

very correct observation in the article. a student has made an irrational decision on whether or not to take out a loan if the annual cost of attendance at their school is $10K and they take out a loan for $10K and wind up with an $40K debt after four years. For many, a student loan is the only way to cover educational expenses. The expectation is that the salary at the end will be so much better than the current salary that the loan will take care of itself. Students need to be disabused of that notion. Or they may not even finish school, and then they’re stuck paying for an education on a salary of a non-educated person.
vik