# Student Debt Crisis Hits Mississippi, Utah

> Mississippi leads national student debt crisis as federal loan deadline approaches.
- Title: Student Debt Crisis Hits Mississippi, Utah · Newsweek
- Summary: Mississippi leads national student debt crisis as federal loan deadline approaches. Mississippi has highest student debt burden with 54% of median income…
- Keywords: mississippi, student debt, federal loan deadline, wallethub, delaware, pennsylvania, south carolina, west virginia, utah, hawaii, california, washington
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/map-shows-states-with-the-highest-student-debt-as-federal-loan-deadline-looms-12458244
- Published: 2026-09-18T02:31:12+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mississippi, student debt, federal loan deadline, wallethub, delaware, pennsylvania, south carolina, west virginia, utah, hawaii, california, washington
## Student Debt Crisis
Mississippi has highest student debt burden with 54% of median income.

> Borrowers in Mississippi owe an average amount equivalent to more than 54 percent of the state's median income
## Federal Loan Deadline
7.5 million borrowers face deadline to switch repayment plans.

> The Education Department directed the 7.5 million borrowers who were enrolled in SAVE to choose a new repayment plan
## State Debt Differences
WalletHub ranks Mississippi as worst, Utah as best for student debt.

> WalletHub ranks Mississippi as the state with the biggest student debt problem
## Job Market Strain
Mississippi has third-worst student job opportunities.

> Difficulty finding jobs is one factor contributing to student borrowers' struggles in Mississippi
## Default Rates
Mississippi has highest student loan default rate.

> Mississippi also has the nation's highest student loan default rate
## Economic Impact
Student debt delays major life decisions and economic activity.

> Required loan payments reduce borrowers' disposable income, leaving them with less money to save, invest, purchase homes, start businesses, or spend on goods and services
## Key takeaway

Mississippi has highest student debt burden with 54% of median income, while Utah ranks lowest as federal loan deadline looms for 7.5 million borrowers.