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Freezing your credit involves contacting the credit bureaus online, by phone, or by mail to lock down your information for free.

Credit cards and personal information can (and do) get hacked or stolen. Because of this unfortunate reality, it’s important to know how to freeze your credit. A credit freeze can help prevent identity theft or obstruct bad actors from taking out new loans or accounts in a borrower’s name.

Once you know how to freeze (and unfreeze) your credit, it can be quite useful in the right situations.

What Is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, allows individuals to limit access to their individual credit report. By freezing their credit, the person makes it more difficult for an identity thief to open a new credit account or loan in their name. This is due to the fact that creditors generally review credit reports before okaying new lines of credit, known as a hard credit inquiry.

However, freezing one’s credit does not prevent a person from viewing their free annual credit report. Moreover, it won’t restrict a person from opening a new account in their own name. They’ll simply need to unfreeze their credit to do so (more on unfreezing later).

Recommended: What’s the Difference Between a Hard and Soft Credit Check?

What Does Freezing Credit Actually Do?

A credit freeze does not actually freeze all outstanding accounts, such as credit cards and loans. Instead, it simply limits others from viewing a person’s credit reports. Under a credit freeze, only a limited number of entities will still be able to view a person’s file, including creditors for accounts that individual already holds and certain government agencies.

This means that credit bureaus can’t give out personal information about a borrower with a frozen account to new lenders, landlords, hiring managers, or credit card companies. Typically, this halts the lending, renting, and hiring process — as well as anyone attempting to steal a person’s identity and open a new account in their name.

Freezing Credit: What’s the Process?

If a person wants to freeze their credit, they need to reach out to at least the three major credit bureaus:

•   Equifax : 1-888-298-0045

•   Experian® : 1-888-397-3742

•   TransUnion® : 1-888-916-8800

People can take it one step further by reaching out to two lesser-known credit bureaus, Innovis (866-712-4546) and the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (866-349-5355).

Typically, the agencies will ask for a Social Security number, birth date, and other information confirming a person’s identity prior to freezing their account. The bureaus will then give the person a password, which they may use to unfreeze their account. Make sure to store this information in a safe place.

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Does Freezing Credit Cost Anything?

It costs nothing to freeze and unfreeze one’s credit. This is thanks to the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which mandates that credit bureaus must offer the service free of charge to everyone.

The credit bureaus must fulfill the request within one business day when a consumer requests a freeze through any method aside from mail. When consumers request to lift the freeze by phone or online, however, the credit bureaus must do so within one hour. This frees up the consumer to quickly do what they may need to do, whether that’s applying for a new apartment or one of the various types of personal loans.

Differences Between a Credit Lock and a Credit Freeze

A credit lock works in much the same way as a credit freeze, allowing consumers to protect their credit reports against bad actors and scammers. But, a credit lock can come with a bit more convenience, as borrowers can opt to open and close their locked credit via an app (rather than needing to reach out to each credit bureau with their password to unfreeze it).

While a credit freeze is complimentary thanks to the federal mandate, a credit lock may require paying a small fee. For example, Equifax offers credit locks for free, while Experian offers credit lock as part of a paid subscription.

Just as you’d crunch the savings numbers with a personal loan calculator, make sure to weigh the costs and benefits between these two options as well.

When to Consider a Credit Freeze

It’s really up to individual consumers and their own risk tolerance to decide when it’s time to freeze their credit report. That being said, if a person isn’t actively shopping for a personal loan or a new credit card, for instance, it may be a good idea to freeze their credit preemptively. This way, a consumer can feel a bit more confident that their credit information is in safe hands.

Another time to consider a credit freeze is when a borrower believes their personal data may have been breached, or if their Social Security number was recently disclosed, made public, or stolen.

How to Unfreeze Your Credit

Unfreezing credit is simple. All a consumer has to do is reach out to the credit bureaus by phone or online and plug in the password or PIN provided to them when they first froze their credit. Generally, it takes a few minutes for the account to become unfrozen.

A person can choose to unfreeze their report at one or all of the credit bureaus, but they will have to contact each individual credit bureau separately. They also need to go through the entire process again if they ever want to refreeze their credit down the road.

Individuals can ask to unfreeze their credit for a specific amount of time, such as if they are applying for and hoping to get approved for a personal loan or need someone else to access their account temporarily. Then, the freeze should return automatically when that period ends.

Alternatives to Freezing Credit

While not overly complex, freezing and unfreezing one’s credit can be time-consuming. Additional options are available to consumers.

Setting Up Credit Monitoring

Those who aren’t interested in freezing their accounts might instead consider signing up for a credit monitoring service. While these services charge a fee, they’ll alert users to any and all activity on their credit report. So, any time someone requests information, the person would find out and could then confirm or deny the authenticity of the request.

This could help stop any potential identity theft in its tracks. Still, it should be noted that this service cannot fully prevent theft, and the consumer may not know their identity was stolen until after the fact.

Requesting a Credit Report

For those interested in monitoring their credit for free, it’s possible to get a free copy of one’s credit report each year from all of the major credit bureaus, and possibly even more often. The consumer might then review the report, in detail, to ensure they recognize all of the activity and accounts described.

If the consumer spots anything out of line, they can then take steps to flag and fix it.

Consolidating Credit Card Debt

Another way that some consumers choose to keep track of their credit is by consolidating credit card debt with a personal loan from a private lender. Taking out an unsecured personal loan could help substantially lower the amount a person pays each month to different credit card companies.

By consolidating credit card debt into a single personal loan — one of the common uses for personal loans — a borrower may be able to take advantage of a single fixed-rate debt rather than juggling several high-interest rate cards. Additionally, having a single loan to repay each month can make it easier to monitor payment activity.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

The Takeaway

If you are considering freezing your credit, this can be done for free with the credit bureaus. This can help protect your credit from unauthorized access and identity theft. Typically, you can freeze your credit online, by phone, or by mail and unfreeze it as well, with your file being accessible within an hour. Freezing your credit can help if you are seeking to protect your personal data and better control your personal finances.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

Is freezing your credit a good idea?

If you think your personal information or identity has been compromised (say, through a data breach), it could be wise to freeze your credit to protect you from unauthorized access to your credit report.

What is the easiest way to freeze my credit?

You can freeze (and then unfreeze) your credit report with each of the three major credit bureaus. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail. Of these options, online may be the fastest option.

How much does it cost to do a credit freeze?

It’s free to freeze your credit with the credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q125-023

Since 2020, work-from-home opportunities have become easier to find. While it can take some adjustments on both sides, working from home has significant benefits for employees and employers.

Read on to learn some of the advantages of work-from-home roles, as well as how to find these jobs.

What Are the Benefits of Remote Work for Employees?

While no two jobs are exactly alike, you can generally expect these benefits in working from home.

•   Workday flexibility. Depending on company policy, you may be less tied to your desk while working from home during the day. That could give employees the time to attend to housekeeping chores or to take a walk between meetings and tasks. Similarly, employees may be able to start their workday earlier or later based on preference.

•   No commute. With no commute to or from the office, employees who work from home free up time during the day. They may also save money on public transport or gas and car maintenance.

•   Fewer interruptions. With no water cooler to gather around or coworkers to people-watch, working from home often has fewer social interruptions than a traditional office setting.

•   Less formality. The work-from-home dress code is usually less formal than the office. Not only are employees more comfortable during the day, they can save on wardrobe costs.

•   Location. Many work-from-home employees have the luxury of choosing where they work geographically — though they may still be required to work hours that align with their employer’s time zone.

Compared with a traditional office job, working from home can take some getting used to, but many employees feel that it’s worth it.

Recommended: Free Credit Score Monitoring

Examples of Remote Work Benefits for Employees

The benefits of working from home for employees are far ranging and vary by role and company. The examples below help explain why remote work is appealing to many office workers.

Saving Money

People who work from home save money on things like lunches out and an office wardrobe. Employees who can prepare meals in their own kitchen are less likely to rely on takeout. Similarly, employees save money without a commute, whether that means reduced trips to the gas station or fewer public transit passes.

Setting up a home office can involve new expenses, but if workers are smart about managing their work-from-home budget, they usually come out ahead.

A spending app can quickly show you how much money you’d save by working from home.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

Saving Time

Office distractions can challenge productivity. Working from home can have its share of distractions as well — including chores, children, and pets. (Some parents with flexible work-from-home jobs may long for their relatively peaceful days in the office.) But for the most part, employees tend to be more productive when they work from home.

At home, you’re unlikely to fall into conversations on a journey from your desk to the bathroom, and less likely to be interrupted when you’re focused on a task.

Recommended: Best Self-Employed Jobs for Parents

Saving Sanity

While stress can be harder to quantify, employees who work from home may feel less frazzled during the workday. This can be attributed to everything from setting up an optimal home office to avoiding a stressful commute.

Reducing workplace stressors can benefit productivity, job satisfaction, and employee engagement.

Recommended: 31 Part-Time Remote Jobs with Flexible Hours

What Are the Benefits of Remote Work for Employers?

At first glance, it may feel like remote work is largely more beneficial to the employee than the employer. However, that’s not necessarily the case. The employer benefits are motivating many companies to prepare for a more remote workforce.

•   Lower operational costs. Employers save money when they’re not leasing and maintaining an office space. They may also be able to save on things like office equipment and employee benefits.

•   Flexible budgets. When a company can hire from anywhere across the country or globe, it may be able to acquire talent at a more affordable rate.

•   Higher productivity. Productive employees lead to a better bottom line for employers.

•   Less absenteeism. When everyone is working remotely, there’s less likelihood of an office bug that sends half the employees home, reducing sick days.

•   Higher retention. Employees who are happy with the remote office policies are more likely to stay with the company. Improved retention rates can save a company significant resources over the long run.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

Examples of Remote Work Benefits for Employers

Employees have more autonomy in a remote culture, but worker satisfaction ultimately benefits employers as well.

Better for the Bottom Line

When a team is fully remote, a company saves money and resources on office space, utilities, maintenance, furniture, and benefits like catered lunches and new equipment.

Remote work also frees office managers and similar roles to focus on things like company culture and worker satisfaction instead of sourcing new carpets and real estate.

Better for the Talent Pool

When geography isn’t an issue, employers can access a much wider talent pool. If a company seeks highly specific roles or qualifications, a national or even international search can yield much better applicants than one limited to a single area.

Remote work can broaden the talent pool in another way. Many qualified candidates cannot spend long hours in an office on a regular basis, either because they have a physical disability or they care for a child or aging parent who needs supervision. Also, retirees who want to bring in some additional income may feel more comfortable in a work-from-home job.

Better for Boosting Satisfaction

Satisfaction may be less noticeable than savings on rent or getting better applicants for an open job. Still, when employees are happy in their roles, it generally leads to less turnover, higher productivity, and a more positive work environment.

When teams are engaged and happy, they’ll do better work, saving the company time and money. Plus, less time is wasted on hiring and training new employees, so employers can focus on growth and building a stronger company culture.

How to Find Remote Job Opportunities

If the benefits of remote work make it sound like a good fit for you, here are some ways to “try before you buy.”

•   Consider getting a second job you can do at home after hours.

•   Negotiate with your current company to work from home one day a week for a set period — for instance, Fridays during the summer.

•   Reach out to friends who work from home for their take on what it’s really like (and maybe a referral!).

•   Not all work-from-home jobs are tied to a corporate office. Start your own business inspired by your skills and passions.

The Takeaway

With remote work becoming more common, it’s worth learning about the benefits for employers and employees. Working from home can reduce stress, boost productivity, and even save employees money. For employers, remote work can help their bottom line by reducing office costs and increasing employee retention.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What are the benefits of working from home for employees?

Most of the benefits of working from home for employees have to do with autonomy. Work-from-home employees get to choose where they work, how they work, when they work, and even their dress code.

What are five advantages of working from home?

Five advantages of working from home include workday flexibility, saving time and money, higher productivity, location flexibility, and setting your own hours.

What is the biggest advantage of working from home?

For most employees, the two biggest advantages of working from home are saving time and money. Employees save time by not commuting to and from work or chatting with coworkers. Similarly, they’ll probably save money in the long run by avoiding lunches out and spending less on workplace attire.

Photo credit: iStock/miniseries

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

SORL-Q125-030

While these two services may sound similar, debt buyers purchase past-due accounts from lenders, whereas debt collectors work on behalf of whoever owns the debt in an attempt to get the borrower to pay.

If you find yourself struggling with debt, it’s important to understand what may happen to your debt so you can better work through the situation. That’s why it can be smart to know the difference between a debt buyer and a debt collector. Both of these services are used by lenders, like banks, to move debts off of their liability balance sheets.

Here, take a closer look at how each of these services operates.

When and Why Do Companies Sell Your Debt?

A borrower will likely only ever deal with the company they’re borrowing from — so long as they make payments on their debt regularly and on time. However, if the borrower does not make timely payments, the debt may get sold to a third party, known as a debt buyer.

The lender will sell the debt in an effort to lower their liability. There’s no real timetable for when debt may be sold or go into collections — it can depend on the state you live in, the lender’s policies, and the type of debt it is. Debt collectors can then attempt to collect the debt from the debtor. They operate on behalf of the business that owns the debt, and their goal is to get the debtor to pay what they owe.

What Is a Debt Buyer?

A debt buyer is a company that purchases past-due accounts from a business, such as a bank or a credit card company. They typically purchase the debt for a small percentage of what’s actually due to the original lender. The amount a debt buyer pays for debt can vary, but it’s often just cents on the dollar.

For example, a debt buyer may only pay $100 for a $1,000 debt from the original lender. This means that if the new debt buyer actually collects the debt they purchased, they will make a $900 profit. Debt buyers can typically purchase older debt for even lower amounts because it’s less likely to actually get collected.

Debt buyers don’t typically do this as a one-off purchase. Instead, they’re usually in the business of purchasing many delinquent debts at once to increase their odds of turning a profit. This strategy has the potential to be quite lucrative. If, for example, a debt buyer purchases 10 different $1,000 debts at $100 apiece, the buyer needs just one person to pay their debt to break even, and just two out of the 10 people to pay their debts to turn a profit.

Recommended: Common Uses for Personal Loans

What Is a Debt Collector?

Debt collectors are third-party companies that collect debts on behalf of other companies. They can attempt to collect debts on behalf of the original lenders, or they can attempt to collect debts for debt buyers.

Debt-buying companies may also function as debt collection agencies to collect the debts they’ve purchased. But a debt-buying company can also assign debts to another third-party debt collecting company, paying it a portion of the profit they make when the debt is paid.

To get the debt paid, debt collectors will typically attempt to contact the original debtor through letters and phone calls, letting them know what’s owed and attempting to convince them to pay the debt. Collectors will often use the internet to find a person or even go as far as hiring a private investigator. Debt collectors also can look into a person’s other financial information, such as their bank or brokerage accounts, to assess if they’re theoretically able to repay their debts.

However, a debt collector typically cannot seize paychecks. The only way a collector may be able to seize a paycheck or garnish wages is if there is a court order, known as a judgment, requiring the debtor to pay. For this to happen, the debt collector must first take the debtor to court within the debt’s statute of limitations and win the judgment. Still, there could be other negative consequences, such as collectors reporting a debtor to credit agencies, which could affect their credit score for some time to come.

Debt collectors often get a bad reputation for using aggressive tactics. The federal government introduced the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to protect people from predatory practices. The law dictates certain reasonable limitations under which a debt collector can contact the debtor. If the collection company violates the law, the debtor could bring a lawsuit against it for damages.

Recommended: How to Finance a Wedding

How to Avoid Collections and Pay Off Debt

Paying off all debt on time is the best way to avoid encountering either a debt buyer or a debt collector. But if you’ve found yourself in debt, don’t despair. Rather, take a bit of time to plot out the best method of repayment for your financial situation, which could entail getting into the nitty gritty of your spending or crunching the numbers with a personal loan calculator.

Here are some of the different strategies to pay off debt you might consider:

•   Creating a monthly budget: This can help to track spending and identify potential areas to cut back in order to pay off debts faster. After sitting down and looking through your monthly expenditures, you might be surprised how much fat there is to trim. Then, put all of that extra cash toward paying down your debts.

•   Using the snowball or avalanche method: The snowball method focuses on paying off your debts in order of smallest to largest balances, while continuing to pay the minimum due on each debt. With the avalanche method, you’d target the debt with the highest interest rate first while continuing to make minimum payments on other debt balances. In both methods, after the first debt is paid off, the amount that was going toward that debt is put toward the second debt on the list, and so on, thus helping to pay down each consecutive balance as fast as possible.

•   Consolidating your debts: Another option to try is consolidating debts with a debt consolidation loan, which is one of the types of personal loan. Typically, a debt consolidation loan offers lower interest rates than credit card interest rates, which can make those debts more affordable and easier to pay off.

   This is why debt consolidation is among the common uses for personal loans. Plus, with a debt consolidation loan, you’ll just have one monthly payment to stay on top of.

Recommended: Get Your Personal Loan Approved

The Takeaway

A debt buyer vs. collector plays a different role when it comes to debt, but they are both parties you might encounter if you’re way past due on payments. Debt buyers purchase debt from lenders, often for pennies on the dollar. Debt collectors, however, can take a number of steps in an effort to collect owed debt on a company’s behalf, including reporting that debt to the credit bureaus. To avoid encountering either of these, consider ways to manage your debt more effectively.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

Do I have to pay debt if it’s been sold?

Yes, you still have to pay debt if it’s been sold. The difference is that you now need to pay the debt collector vs. the original creditor.

What is the 777 rule for debt collectors?

The 7-in-7 rule is a guideline established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding how often a debt collector can contact a debtor in a seven-day period. They cannot call more than seven times in seven days, nor any sooner than seven days after having had a conversation with a debtor.

How much do debt buyers pay for debt?

While the exact figure will vary, data indicates that some debt buyers pay as little as four to five cents on the dollar when buying debt from credit card companies.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q125-022

For millions of students, pursuing a college degree means taking on some amount of debt. That’s because college costs have risen much faster than wages, and the average cost of a four-year degree has far outpaced the rate of inflation in the past 20 or so years.

Today, a typical student borrows more than $35,000 to pursue a bachelor’s degree. That amount can be even higher for students pursuing a degree needed for higher-paying jobs, such as those in medicine or law.

Here are the professions whose graduates, on average, owe the most. This list is not exhaustive, and rankings can change based on different data sets.

Average Student Loan Debt by Profession

While it’s true that jobs for people with higher degrees can pay in the six figures, student loan debt can make a significant cut into earnings. Considering student loan debt, along with salary, can give a more complete picture of what kind of financial future many graduates face.

1. Oral Surgeon

Even with a relatively high salary, oral surgeons typically graduate with a large student loan burden. The debt has a significant effect on their professional and personal decisions for decades to come, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The organization has lobbied for student loan reform, including halting interest accrual on student loans during an internship or residency, making sure fair income-based repayment structures are in place, and allowing qualified participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to have remaining loan balances forgiven earlier than the standard 10 years.

Average student loan debt: $584,000

Median salary: $334,310

2. Orthodontist

Like other dental school graduates, orthodontists may face substantial student loan debt. After dental school, orthodontists train for orthodontics during a residency that can last several years.

The American Association of Orthodontists has supported legislation aimed at student loan reform: “Reducing interest rates and fees and allowing refinancing for today’s graduates are critical steps to helping them repay these loans sooner and more efficiently so they can begin to invest in their futures and careers,” Dr. Nahid Maleki, a former association president, has said.

Average student loan debt: $570,000

Median salary: $243,620

3. Endodontist

Less than 3% of all dentists are endodontists, according to the American Association of Endodontists. Endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating complex causes of tooth pain as well as root canal treatment. The field requires two to three years of education and training beyond dentistry. This means that endodontists may shoulder a greater debt burden than their dental school counterparts.

“The high cost of a dental or medical education is a crippling problem and threatens the future of our specialty,” Dr. Keith V. Krell, then president of the American Association of Endodontists, said. The organization has supported legislation to “funnel more money into dental schools so that unreasonable tuition costs can be offset.”

Average student loan debt: $544,000

Median salary: $263,789

4. Dentist

Many dental students bite off a lot of debt. While the dental industry can be thought of as relatively recession-proof (your aching tooth doesn’t care about market fluctuations), dental spending may become flat during and after lean times while the supply of dentists rises.

Navigating insurance as a dental practice can also be tricky for practice owners, and the field can be competitive and crowded for new dentists.

Average student loan debt: $296,500

Median dentist salary: $185,360

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Dentist

5. Radiologist

While radiologists can be high earners in the medical field, they also may hold a staggering amount of debt that accumulates during medical school and residency. The American College of Radiologists has supported legislation to halt interest accrual during residency.

Currently, residents can request deferment or forbearance on loans, depending on their circumstances, but even if granted, interest accrues. This can add thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to the balance of a radiologist’s student loan debt.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $437,000

6. Obstetrician-Gynecologist

For many med students, medical residency is when student loan debt balloons. Unlike their high-earning counterparts who may immediately begin earning six-figure salaries after grad school, med students earn an average of $67,400 during residency.

During this time, interest may accrue on loans. Increasing patient loads, malpractice vulnerabilities, and more have led to burnout in this profession. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a shortage in the speciality may be on the horizon.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $336,000

7. Anesthesiologist

Residency requirements can cause interest accrual to add to the debt load of these medical professionals. The American Society of Anesthesiologists supports legislation that would allow borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on loans while in residency.

The legislation has been introduced to Congress but has not gained traction. The work of an anesthesiologist can be grueling: Some reports have shown that anesthesiologists have a higher risk of burnout than other physicians.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $339,470

8. Physician

Also called a doctor, primary care physician, or family practitioner, a physician is an essential element of primary care for all ages, and a point of contact who works with other doctors to diagnose and treat patients. Not a medical specialty, this umbrella term can also refer to pediatricians and internal medicine doctors.

While the career path may not be as lucrative as some specialized medical careers, it offers intangible benefits, such as control over your hours worked and the ability to get to know your patients, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

But the salary compared with student loan debt can make the debt burdensome. The AAFP has advocated for federal loans and scholarship programs that target primary and family care as well as interest deferment during residency.

Average student loan debt: $234,597

Median salary: $239,200

Recommended: Budgeting as a New Doctor

9. Osteopath

Members of one of the fastest-growing segments of health care, according to the American Osteopathic Association, osteopaths take a whole-person approach to medicine. Osteopaths may practice all medical specialties, but attend an osteopathic medical school where they receive specialized training in the musculoskeletal system.

The osteopathic association found that 86% of osteopathic medicine graduates have student loan debt. Like their medical school counterparts, osteopath students can be susceptible to burnout.

Average student loan debt: $257,335

Median salary: $206,351

10. Pharmacist

Pharmacists require undergraduate and graduate school degrees, and the career path can be varied upon graduation. Some pharmacists enter research and development, while others choose to work with patients in hospitals, clinics, or commercial settings.

This can allow for career flexibility for pharmacists, as they can balance family and personal obligations with a career. But student loan debt can become a burden for pharmacists that can affect their financial decisions for decades. As with other professions, the challenge becomes balancing debt with future financial goals such as saving adequately for retirement.

Average student loan debt: $170,956

Median salary: $136,030

11. Physician Assistant

Educated at the master’s degree level, a physician assistant can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication to patients and can often be a patient’s main health contact. A physician assistant does not have to go through the years of medical school and residency training of doctors but still must have hours of clinical experience.

The career is in demand, with three-quarters of graduates receiving multiple job offers after graduation, according to the American Association of Physician Assistants. But the student debt burden can be intense.

Average student loan debt: $112,000

Median salary $130,020

12. Lawyer

“Lawyer” has come to mean “high earner,” but the truth is much more nuanced. Lawyers have a large income discrepancy based on the type of law they pursue and the state they practice in. Some 71% of law school graduates have some form of student loan debt, and the average debt has risen in the past several decades.

For example, in 2000, law school graduates came out of the gate with an average of $59,000 (nearly $88,000, adjusted for inflation) in student loans, while today, new graduates have an average of $130,000 in cumulative debt. The American Bar Association has lobbied the government to provide student loan debt relief for lawyers.

Average student loan debt: $130,000

Median salary: $145,760

13. Physical Therapist

Physical therapists must earn a doctor of physical therapy degree, a three-year course after a bachelor’s degree. After graduation, physical therapists may do a residency or fellowship, or may begin practicing right away. Salaries can depend on the type of work a physical therapist pursues. Student debt can affect those decisions.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, 70% of respondents to a survey said debt caused anxiety. The association has been advocating for physical therapists on Capitol Hill, lobbying for more scholarship opportunities for therapists from underrepresented backgrounds and inclusion of physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, a loan repayment program for health professionals.

Average student loan debt: $116,183

Median salary: $99,710

14. MBA Holder

Many people think a master of business administration degree (MBA) translates into a high-salary career, and while it’s true that graduates of top programs often receive high pay offers, top programs are expensive, and there’s no guarantee that a job will result. So is an MBA worth it? That depends on your career goals.

Some employers will offer full or partial tuition reimbursements to employees who pursue an MBA. Requirements vary by employer, but some expect employees to continue working during school. Though rigorous, this means that MBA students may not necessarily lose out on a salary while getting their graduate degree.

Average student loan debt: $81,218

Average salary: $120,000

15. Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists (OTs) need to obtain a master’s degree and satisfy licensing requirements, as well as supervised fieldwork. Like physical therapists, the salary progression for OTs depends on the type of work they pursue, and the type of work they pursue also affects the type of potential loan forgiveness that may work for their circumstances.

The American Occupational Therapy Association recognizes that many students graduate with student loan debt that can be tough to pay back on a median OT salary. The association actively lobbied for occupational therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure their interests were covered under the CARES Act.

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Average student loan debt: Varies

Median salary: $96,370

16. Registered Nurse

Nursing salaries — and the student loan debt that nurses carry — depend on education level. Nurses who have a Master of Science in nursing have the most student loan debt, while those who have a bachelor’s degree or associate degree have lower debt, but may have lower salaries as well. Scholarship opportunities for nurses can limit the necessity of student loans, and some nurses may qualify for forgiveness opportunities, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Nurse Corps Repayment Program, a federal program for nurses who work in high-need areas. Another option to consider is student loan refinancing for those who can qualify for a lower interest rate or more favorable loan terms. Just be aware that when you refinance, you will no longer have access to federal benefits such as forgiveness.

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Average student loan debt (with master’s degree): $69,890

Median RN salary (with bachelor’s degree): $86,070

The Takeaway

The price of college has soared, and a typical student borrows around $35,530 to pursue a four-year degree. That amount can be substantially higher for students who choose more lucrative degrees, such as those in medicine and law. Orthodontists, for example, owe an average of $570,000 in school loan debt, while lawyers owe around $130,000 in school loan debt.

There are options to help borrowers manage their debt, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, student loan repayment programs, and student loan refinancing.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

FAQ

How much student loan debt is there in the U.S.?

Currently, there is more than $1.77 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, and more than 42.7 million Americans have federal student loan debt.

Which major has the largest amount of student debt, and which major has the least amount of student debt?

Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration is the major with the largest median debt, at $310,330, according to the Education Data Initiative. An associate’s degree in Biological and Physical Sciences is the major with the smallest median debt, at $7,591.

Which age group holds the most student debt?

The most substantial amount of student debt is held by borrowers who are 35 to 49 years of age. As of late 2024, this group owed $634.8 billion dollars in student loan debt.

However, the age group that owes the most student loan debt per person is borrowers ages 50 to 61, who owe an average of $45,159. That’s followed closely by the 35 to 45 year-old group, who owe $43,479 per person.

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