Educational debt burden among student borrowers: An analysis of the baccalaureate & beyond panel, 1997 follow-up

Abstract

Using the National Center for Education Statistics' Baccalaureate & Beyond Longitudinal Survey, a nationally representative sample of 1992-1993 college graduates, this paper examines the relationship between educational debt burden and student race, ethnic, gender and income characteristics 4 years after receiving the bachelor's degree. The results indicate strong effects of family income, race and ethnicity on excessive educational debt burden among student borrowers. That is, students from lower-income backgrounds, Blacks and Hispanics have a significantly greater risk to have excessive educational debt burden 4 years after receiving the baccalaureate degree. Students with high educational debt burdens borrow more for college and have lower average salaries than do other students.