Student Loan Repayment Calculator 2026
Calculate your monthly payment, total interest, and payoff date. Compare Standard, Graduated, Extended, and Income-Driven repayment plans side by side.
Quick Answer
On a $35,000 student loan balance at 6.54% interest (2026 federal rate), the standard 10-year repayment plan costs $394/month and $12,280 in total interest. Income-driven plans can lower monthly payments to $100–$200 but extend repayment to 20–25 years. Use the calculator below for your exact loan balance and rate.
Quick Answer
On the median federal student loan balance of $35,000 at 6.54%, the standard 10-year payment is $394/month. Most borrowers pay $300–$400/month on the standard plan, while income-driven plans average $100–$200/month depending on income.
Your Loan Details
Your Repayment Summary
Monthly Payment
$398
Total Paid
$47,776
Total Interest
$12,776
Payoff Date
July 2036
Repayment Plan Comparison
| Plan | Monthly | Total Interest | Payoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (10yr) | $398 | $12,776 | 10 years |
| Graduated (10yr) | $334 | $13,975 | 10 years |
| Extended (25yr) | $237 | $36,159 | 25 years |
| Income-Driven | $103 | N/A | 25yr cap |
Results are estimates based on a fixed interest rate. Actual payments may vary. 2026 SAVE plan discretionary income = gross income − 225% × federal poverty line.
Student Loan Payments by Balance — 2026
Standard 10-year plan at 6.54% federal undergraduate rate. Single borrower.
| Loan Balance | Monthly Payment | Total Interest | Total Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $225 | $7,020 | $27,020 |
| $35,000 | $394 | $12,280 | $47,280 |
| $50,000 | $563 | $17,560 | $67,560 |
| $75,000 | $845 | $26,380 | $101,380 |
| $100,000 | $1,127 | $35,240 | $135,240 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education federal loan rates 2026–2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average student loan payment in 2026?
The average monthly student loan payment in 2026 is approximately $300–$400 for borrowers on the standard 10-year repayment plan. On the median federal loan balance of $35,000 at 6.54% interest, the standard payment is $394/month. Borrowers on income-driven plans average $100–$200/month depending on income.
How much student loan debt does the average American have?
The average federal student loan borrower owes approximately $37,853 in 2026. The median balance is around $19,281 — the average is pulled up by graduate and professional school borrowers who often carry $100,000 or more. Total federal student loan debt exceeds $1.7 trillion across 43 million borrowers.
What is the federal student loan interest rate in 2026?
For 2026–2027, federal student loan interest rates are 6.54% for undergraduate Direct Loans, 8.09% for graduate Direct Loans, and 9.09% for Direct PLUS loans. These rates are set annually by Congress based on the 10-year Treasury note yield plus a fixed add-on. Source: U.S. Department of Education.
What is the SAVE repayment plan?
SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) is the newest income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. It caps payments at 5% of discretionary income for undergraduate loans (vs 10% under older plans), uses 225% of the federal poverty line to calculate discretionary income, and provides forgiveness after 20–25 years. Borrowers with balances under $12,000 qualify for forgiveness after just 10 years.
How long does it take to pay off $35,000 in student loans?
On the standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.54% interest, $35,000 in student loans takes exactly 10 years (120 months) to pay off at $394/month — with $12,280 in total interest. On an income-driven plan at $50,000 income, monthly payments drop to about $121 but repayment extends 20–25 years. Paying an extra $100/month on the standard plan reduces the payoff to 8.5 years and saves about $1,900 in interest.
How long does it take to pay off $50,000 in student loans?
At 6.54% interest on the standard 10-year plan, $50,000 in student loans costs $563/month and takes 10 years with $17,560 in total interest paid. On the extended 25-year plan, payments drop to $340/month but total interest rises to $51,980. Income-driven payments at $60,000 income would be about $172/month.
How long does it take to pay off $100,000 in student loans?
At 6.54% interest on the standard 10-year plan, $100,000 in student loans costs $1,127/month with $35,240 in total interest. On the 25-year extended plan, monthly payments drop to $681 but total interest balloons to $104,150. Income-driven repayment at $75,000 income yields about $238/month but forgiveness after 20–25 years is needed to fully discharge the balance.
Does paying extra on student loans save money?
Yes — significantly. On a $35,000 loan at 6.54% interest, paying an extra $100/month reduces total repayment time by 18 months and saves approximately $1,869 in interest. Paying an extra $200/month saves $3,228 and cuts 30 months off repayment. Make sure to specify that extra payments apply to principal, not future payments, for maximum savings.