Is your state among the worst for student loan debt?

(NEXSTAR) – It’s a number that continues to grow across the U.S. Unpaid student loan debt currently sits at over $32.4 billion across the United States as of the end of 2025.

According to a new study by SmartAsset, that number affects an average of 12.55% of adults currently paying student loan debt. The average balance for these U.S. residents is roughly $37,000 each.

It’s a lot of money that continues to grow as college becomes more expensive by the year.

However, some states seem to have it worse than others. With residents of certain states owing significantly more money on average.

On average, Maryland residents have the largest student loan debt balance in the country, with borrowers owing over $45,000 each.

Not far behind was Georgia with roughly $43,000 on average, followed by Virginia ($41,410), Florida ($40,697), and Delaware ($40,290).

Here are the 20 states that have the most student loan debt on average in the country.

As you’d probably expect, the age of these residents plays a role in who owes the most money. Those who are between the ages of 25 and 34 owe the largest average student loan debt at $38,393.

Location also plays a part in the percentage of the population that currently has student loan debt.

At the top of the list for population percentage are several southeastern U.S. states: Mississippi (15.5%), Georgia (15.4%), and Louisiana (15.1%).

To see the full study and how your state stacks up in terms of student loan debt, check out SmartAsset’s website.

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