Monthly loan payments weigh heavily on many undergrads and other students with or without their diplomas.

The average student loan debt is over $39,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6.39%. That would require a monthly payment of around $288 to pay off everything within 20 years.

Any education “bargains” are few and far between. But a state-by-state comparison offers college shoppers some comparisons.

East Coast states including New England are most expensive with a monthly loan payment ranging up to $248 in Vermont.

California comes in at $223, the 10th highest.

Story Date: October 12, 2025