Student Loan Default Rates

Students at private colleges are less likely to default on their student loans than those who attend for-profit and public institutions. In the most recent year, less than 7 percent of private college students defaulted on their loans, half the rate of students at for-profit institutions.

Federal Student Loan Default Rates by Sector (Three-Year Cohort Default Rates)

Source: U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid Programs, FY 2017 Official National Cohort Default Rates. Note: Default rates are for four-year institution attendees. Analysis by the Council of Independent Colleges.
Note: Default rates are for four-year institution attendees.
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Federal Student Loan Default Rates by Sector (Three-Year Cohort Default Rates)








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