Education
Alabama vs California: Student Loan Debt
Alabama has lower average student loan debt than California by $481.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for student loan debt.
Alabama
#38 · $37,819
California
#40 · $38,300
Best
Worst
10 Best States — Student Loan Debt
Lower is better
#1
North Dakota
$29,115
North Dakota
#2
Wyoming
$30,631
Wyoming
#3
Iowa
$30,698
Iowa
#4
South Dakota
$31,171
South Dakota
#5
Nebraska
$32,206
Nebraska
#6
Oklahoma
$32,245
Oklahoma
#7
West Virginia
$32,343
West Virginia
#8
Wisconsin
$32,619
Wisconsin
#9
Kansas
$33,013
Kansas
#10
Indiana
$33,234
Indiana
Selected states
#38
Alabama
$37,819
Alabama
#40
California
$38,300
California
Alabama ranks 38th and California ranks 40th nationally for student loan debt.
What this means
Alabama vs California: Student Loan Debt in context
Alabama's student loan debt is $37,819, compared with $38,300 in California. Average federal student loan debt per borrower.
Alabama
$37,819
California
$38,300
Difference
$481
People also ask
Alabama vs California Student Loan Debt — common questions
QWhat is Alabama's student loan debt?
Alabama's student loan debt is $37,819.
QWhat is California's student loan debt?
California's student loan debt is $38,300.
QWhich state has a lower student loan debt — Alabama or California?
Alabama has lower average student loan debt than California by $481.
More comparisons: Alabama vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
Latest incorporated release
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Average federal student loan balance per borrower.