What Is the Average Student Loan Debt for Graduate School?

The average student loan debt for all graduate school borrowers is $77,300, not including undergraduate loans.

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Updated · 1 min read
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Written by Ryan Lane
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Dive deeper into attending grad school

The average student loan debt for graduate school in 2019-20 was $77,300, according to the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics.

That average reflects debt for master’s degrees, Ph.D.s and other graduate school loans borrowed only for advanced degrees. Including undergraduate loans increases the average debt for graduate students to $88,220.

With a total debt of $88,220, the average graduate student would repay about $1,074 each month and around $128,890 overall, assuming current federal interest rates and a standard 10-year repayment term.

How much debt will I take on for graduate school?

The average total student loan debt of $88,220 for graduate students includes all advanced degrees. But you should expect to borrow more for some graduate programs than others.

For example, master’s degree graduates leave school owing $69,140 on average, while doctors with professional degrees — who enroll in longer programs — owe $178,800.

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The type of graduate school affects indebtedness as well. For example, when not including undergraduate loans, getting a master’s at a public school results in an average student loan debt of $44,410 for that degree alone; that number increases to $63,850 for master’s recipients at private nonprofit institutions.

The College Scorecard has average debt data for certain graduate degree programs; search by the school’s name to see if this is available. If a school or program you’re interested in isn't included, ask its financial aid or admissions office for this information.

Average Student Loan Amounts by Debt Type

Debt type

Average debt

$29,400

$88,220

$29,526

$132,740

$66,740

$206,924

$296,500

$167,711

Associate Degree Nursing: $23,302. Bachelor of Science in Nursing: $28,917. Master of Science in Nursing: $49,047.

$147,258

1. 2023 College Board 2. 2019-20 National Center for Education Statistics 3. Q4 2023, Federal Student Aid Portfolio 4. 2019-20 National Center for Education Statistics 5. 2019-20 National Center for Education Statistics 6. 2023 Association of American Medical Colleges 7. 2022 American Dental Education Association 8. 2023 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 9. 2024 US College Scorecard Data 10. 2022 American Veterinary Medical Association

How to limit graduate school student loan debt

Roughly 54% of students take out loans for graduate school, according to the NCES. Debt is almost unavoidable for some programs — about 75% of doctors in professional degree programs take out medical school loans, for example — but graduate students can take steps to limit their borrowing.

  • Exhaust free aid programs. Scholarships, fellowships and grants are the best ways to pay for graduate school. Ask your school about institutional awards and search for professional organizations focused in your field of interest, for example, to see if they offer graduate scholarships.

  • Use your wages. Attending graduate school part-time while working can help you pay as you go, and avoid borrowing. Plus, if you plan to work while enrolled, your company may help pay for your degree via a tuition reimbursement program. Ask your human resources department for details. If you work for the university, your salary or stipend may help with your living expenses.

  • Borrow only what you need. There aren't subsidized loans for grad school, so you'll always pay interest on what you borrow. Graduate PLUS loans can cover up to your school’s cost of attendance, which can include expenses graduate students may face like child care and transportation. But before borrowing for all of your costs, see if you can use savings, scholarships or income from part-time work to help minimize your debt.

  • Have a repayment plan. Federal loans offer income-driven plans that can keep graduate loan payments manageable if you don’t make a lot of money, and you may qualify for loan forgiveness by pursuing a public service career. Graduate degree holders with strong earning power — like doctors or MBAs — can be good candidates to refinance student loans at a lower interest rate.

Estimate your potential refinance savings

Note: This calculator assumes that after you refinance, you’ll make minimum monthly payments.

Step 4: Compare NerdWallet's top-rated student loan refi lenders.

Explore options for refinancing student loans
LenderFixed APRMin. credit scoreVariable APR
Earnest Student Loan Refinance

Earnest Student Loan Refinance

5.0

on Earnest's website

4.29- 9.74%
650
5.89- 9.74%

on Earnest's website

SoFi Student Loan Refinancing

SoFi Student Loan Refinancing

4.5

on SoFi's website

4.49- 9.99%
650
5.99- 9.99%

on SoFi's website

LendKey Student Loan Refinance

LendKey Student Loan Refinance

4.5

on LendKey's website

on Credible's website

4.89- 9.04%
680
5.54- 9.12%

on LendKey's website

on Credible's website

ELFI Student Loan Refinance

ELFI Student Loan Refinance

4.5

on ELFI's website

on Credible's website

4.88- 8.44%
680
4.86- 8.49%

on ELFI's website

on Credible's website

Splash Financial Student Loan Refinance

Splash Financial Student Loan Refinance

5.0

on Splash Financial's website

5.94- 8.95%
650
7.60- 7.85%

on Splash Financial's website

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