If you come out with a worthy degree, then it's not so bad.
If you only went to college to "discover yourself" and took an easy major, then it's a very hard lesson (and perhaps a good one).
between my husband and myself, we owe a total of 75,000
I have a M.Ed, but am not working, staying at home with the kids
he did a PhD in engineering, and thank goodness makes enough to cover our loan payment....
I have friends who owe 50k or more and did degrees in the lib arts, making SQUAT now...
That reminds me... While standing in the grocery line the other day, I couldn't help but overhear a woman on her cell phone, talking about her daughter. It seems she's going to summer school in order to graduate in 3.5 years, and her double major is in "Women's studies" and English.
I can only guess she's planning on going into graduate school.
Bingo.
If you come out with a degree that is going to move you into a $50,000.00 a year job where as the most you would like earn without it is $30,000.00 a year then you can pay off your loans in a year and everything after that is gravy.
If you get a degree in Greek mythology and Latin then you better hope your charming wit gets you invited to lots of parties where there is free food.