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IZA Discussion Paper No. 18768
July 2026
The Price of Borrowing for College: Student Loan Interest Rates, Educational Choices, and Career Tradeoffs
Naijia Guo, Ling Zhong

Federal student loan interest rates affect college financing, education and job choices, and career outcomes. Using U.S. microdata, we exploit changes in federal loan rates over time and regional variation in expected loan reliance. Higher interest rates reduce student loan take-up and the amount borrowed without raising total interest payments, and students shift toward funding sources that do not require repayment. Students facing higher borrowing costs sort into higher-earning majors and occupations, increase labor supply, and move away from self-employment and small-firm jobs. Affected individuals earn more but report lower satisfaction with job independence and responsibility.

Kommunikation
Mark Fallak
mark.fallak@liser.lu
+352 585-855-526
World of Labour
Olga Nottmeyer
olga.nottmeyer-ext@liser.lu
+352 585-855-501
Netzwerkkoordination
Christina Gathmann
christina.gathmann@liser.lu

Das IZA@LISER-Netzwerk ist eine weltweite Gemeinschaft für exzellente Forschung in der Arbeitsmarktökonomie und angrenzenden Fachgebieten. Nach dem Wechsel von Bonn wird das Netzwerk nun am Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) koordiniert.

Über das IZA@LISER Network
Contact
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Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)
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