As student debt continues to weigh heavily on millions of Americans, now averaging over $39,000 per borrower, a new WalletHub report breaks down which states are doing the most (and least) to help residents manage the burden. Kentucky finds itself much closer to the top of that list than it might like.

A Growing National Burden

Student debt is a massive and growing problem across the United States. Second only to mortgages, it’s the largest component of household debt for Americans, and it’s not slowing down. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, college-loan balances had surpassed $1.66 trillion, with more than 42 million borrowers carrying an average of over $39,000 each, according to the Department of Education. In comparison, some states have managed to ease the load, including

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