Still Paying Off Student Loans? You’re Not Alone — Here’s How Long It Really Takes

Let’s be honest—student loans can feel like a life-long burden. One minute you’re tossing your graduation cap in the air, and the next, you’re staring at a bill that might take decades to pay off. It’s frustrating, overwhelming, and can mess with your plans for buying a home, saving for retirement, or even just living comfortably.

So how long does it actually take the average person to pay off student loans? Short answer: it depends. But most people aren’t done in just a few years. For many, it’s a journey that lasts anywhere from 10 to 25 years.

Let’s break it down.

What’s the Average Payoff Time?

Most borrowers take about 20 years to fully pay off their student loans. That’s roughly 240 months of payments. Yes, it’s a long time—but that number isn’t set in stone. The timeline can shift depending on your income, the type of loans you have, and how aggressively you pay them off.

How the Loan Repayment Plans Work

1. Standard Repayment Plan (Federal Loans)
This is the default plan the government puts you on: 10 years of fixed monthly payments. It’s straightforward and fastest in terms of time, but the monthly payments can be pretty steep, especially early in your career.

2. Income-Driven Repayment Plans (IDR)
These plans adjust your monthly payment based on how much money you’re actually bringing in. Your payments might be more manageable, but the catch is, you could be paying them off for 20 to 25 years. At the end of that period, anything left could be forgiven (though sometimes taxed).

3. Extended Repayment Plans
If your loan balance is high and monthly payments feel impossible, you can spread them out over up to 25 years. This makes monthly payments easier, but you’ll be in debt much longer and pay more interest overall.

4. Private Student Loans
Private loans are all over the map. Repayment terms can vary a lot by lender, but they typically fall between 10 and 25 years. They don’t come with the safety nets federal loans offer, like income-based plans or forgiveness programs.

How Long It Actually Takes for Most People

The average borrower is in repayment for about 20 years, according to Bankrate. Some people manage to knock out their loans in under 10 years, especially if their total balance is under $10,000. But others—especially those who went to grad school or have large medical or law school debt—could be looking at 25+ years.

And keep in mind, just making the minimum payment each month means you’re mostly covering interest in the beginning. Without any extra effort, you could be stuck with that loan for decades.

Want to Pay Them Off Faster? Here’s How

Make Extra Payments
Even if it’s just $25 more a month, every bit helps. You’ll cut down the total interest and shave off months—or even years—of repayment time.

Refinance (If It Makes Sense)
If you’ve got a steady job and solid credit, refinancing might get you a lower interest rate. Just be careful—refinancing federal loans means giving up benefits like income-driven plans and potential forgiveness.

Celebrate Small Wins
Instead of stressing about paying off the full amount, set milestones. When your balance dips below a certain amount, treat yourself to a small reward. It helps keep you motivated.

Look Into Forgiveness Programs
If you work in public service, education, or for a nonprofit, you might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). After 10 years of on-time payments, the rest of your loan could be wiped clean.

Paying off student loans can feel like running a marathon with no finish line in sight. And the truth is, it takes most people years—sometimes decades—to finally be free of it. But the important thing to remember is that it’s possible.

You’re not behind. You’re not a failure. You’re just dealing with a system that’s complicated and, honestly, not built to be easy.

If you’re making progress, no matter how slow, that’s still progress. And if you’re just starting out and trying to figure out your game plan—don’t stress. There are options. And you’re not alone.