The chart reveals the steady rise in student loan debt per capita across the top U.S. states between 2018 and 2025, showing how financial burdens on students have intensified over time. Maryland records the highest debt, climbing from $4.5K in 2018 to $5.3K in 2025, followed by Georgia, increasing from $4.3K to $5.1K. New Jersey rises from $4K to $4.8K, and Florida from $3.8K to $4.5K. Mid-tier states such as Texas, New York, and California also exhibit steady growth, reaching $4.1K, $4.1K, and $3.9K respectively by 2025. Michigan, Illinois, and Virginia reflect similar trends, closing at $3.8K, $3.7K, and $3.6K. Lower but significant increases are observed in states like Colorado, rising from $2.2K to $2.8K, and Missouri, from $2.3K to $2.9K. Overall, the consistent upward trend across all states highlights growing student debt burdens and its broad economic implications.
| Labels | 2018 Debt (USD thousands) | 2020 Debt (USD thousands) | 2022 Debt (USD thousands) | 2025 Debt (USD thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Georgia | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 5.1 |
| New Jersey | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Florida | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Ohio | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Pennsylvania | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Texas | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| New York | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| California | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Michigan | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Illinois | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.7 |
| Virginia | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.6 |
| North Carolina | 2.9 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| Massachusetts | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.4 |
| Connecticut | 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| Arizona | 2.6 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| Indiana | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 3.1 |
| Tennessee | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| Missouri | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.9 |
| Colorado | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.8 |
