Impact of college debt on financial and life decisions in the U.S. 2012

Published by Statista Research Department, May 10, 2012
This graph shows recent university graduates responses to a survey question about the impact their college debt had on their other financial and life decisions following graduation. The survey was conducted in the United States in 2012. 40 percent of graduates said that they had delayed a major purchase, such as a home or car, because of their continuing college debt.

Impact of college debt on graduates financial and life decisions in the United States in 2012

CharacteristicShare of graduates
Delayed a major purchase, such as a home or a car 40%
Put off continuing your education 28%
Moved in with your parents or family members to save money 27%
Took a job you weren't enthusiastic about because the salary allowed you to pay your student loans back faster 25%
Took a part-time job to supplement your income 18%
Delayed marriage or another committed relationship 14%
Showing entries 1 to 6 (6 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of graduates40%40%28%28%27%27%25%25%18%18%14%14%Delayed a major purchase, such as a home or a carPut off continuing your educationMoved in with your parents or family members to save moneyTook a job you weren't enthusiastic about because the salary allowedyou to pay your student loans back fasterTook a part-time job to supplement your incomeDelayed marriage or another committed relationship
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

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Release date

May 2012

Region

United States

Survey time period

March 21, 2012 to April 2, 2012

Number of respondents

444 respondents

Age group

8-19 years

Special properties

College graduates

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

The survey includes college graduates from the class of 2006 through to the class of 2011.

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