The United States of Debt | Ep. 3 | The High Cost of Student Loans

Today, Americans owe about 1.3 trillion dollars in student loans. But how does the impact of those student loans affect our economy?  In episode 3, Helaine takes on America’s student loan crisis. Just how many of us are really burdened by the cost of pursuing a higher education, and is there a way out? Are student loans more common now, and why? Why are student loans such a mess in the United States, compared to other countries? And what do for-profit schools have to do with all of this?  Plus — what do you do if you’re already suffocating under the pressure of your student loans?  Our guest experts on Episode 3 include Sara Goldrick-Rab, a professor at Temple University and leading scholar on financing college education, and Robert Lawless, a professor University of Illinois’ law school and an expert on debt.  Access to this Slate Academy is a part of your Slate Plus membership. To learn more, chat in our private Facebook group, and read supplementary materials, visit Slate.com/debt. This episode included music by Kai Engel, Chris Zabriskie, and Sergey Cheremisinov.