In 2015, the average student debt for college graduates in the United States was $35,000, which was up 6% from 2014. The class of 2015 saw the most student in U.S. history and were part of 70% of all students who graduated. Average student debt jumped another $2,000 in 2016 in the U.S., and with a total increase of $31 billion in student loan debt in quarter 4 of 2016. As of September 2017, the total student debt number is more than $1.45 trillion in student loan debt from 44 million Americans (StudentLoanHero.com).

Average student debt is increasing at staggering amounts, especially compared to the increase in education quality in U.S. states. Of the top 5 states with the most student debt, only 2 are listed in the top 20 states for higher education (SmartAsset.com). This article will provide which U.S. states have the most student debt, their SmartAsset 2017 education score (1-50; 1 is best, 50 is worst), and popular loan forgiveness programs by state (via TheCollegeInvestor.com).

5) Rhode Island
(CNBC) Percentage of graduates with debt: 64%
(CNBC) Average Debt: $32,900
(SmartAsset.com) Education Ranking: 22
Rhode Island offers three student loan forgiveness programs for recent graduates: Primary Care Practitioner Loan Forgiveness Program (up to $80,000), Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (varies), and Nurse Educators Loan Forgiveness Program (up to $5,000 per year for 4 years).

4) Delaware
Percentage of graduates with debt: 65%
Average Debt: $33,800
Education Ranking: 3
Delaware only has one student loan forgiveness program: the Delaware State Loan Repayment Program (up to $100,000).

3) Connecticut
Percentage of graduates with debt: 64%
Average Debt: $34,700
Education Ranking: 12
Connecticut is one of three U.S. states that doesn’t offer any state-specific student loan forgiveness programs, despite being one of the worst states for student debt.

2) Pennsylvania
Percentage of graduates with debt: 71%
Average Debt: $34,800
Education Ranking: 27
Pennsylvania offers two programs to students: Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program (up to $100,000), and Pennsylvania Bar Foundation PA IOLTA Board Loan Repayment Assistance Program (varies).

1) New Hampshire
Percentage of graduates with debt: 76%
Average Debt: $36,100
Education Ranking: 33
New Hampshire offers two programs to students: New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program (up to $75,000), and New Hampshire Bar Foundation Loan Forgiveness Program (varies).

Sources
StudentLoanHero.com: https://studentloanhero.com/student-loan-debt-statistics/
SmartAsset.com: https://smartasset.com/student-loans/best-states-for-higher-education-2017
TheCollegeInvestor.com: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/student-loan-forgiveness-programs-by-state/
CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/19/states-with-the-highest-average-amount-of-student-loan-debt.html