Drowning in Debt Before the First Paycheck: The Broken Reality of College Tuition in America

Written by: Adilah Mashriqi

When the average college graduate leaves school with over $30,000 in student debt, we have to ask ourselves — how did we get here?

In a country that promotes education as the pathway to success, the cost of that education is increasingly becoming a roadblock. Over the past two decades, tuition has skyrocketed far beyond inflation, leaving students and their families scrambling to keep up. Many are forced to compromise their dreams, delay important life milestones, or suffer long-term financial stress.

It’s not just a personal issue anymore. It’s a national crisis — and it’s deepening.

“I chose a state school over my dream private college because of tuition,” said Henna Rahimi., a 22-year-old senior at a public university in New York. “Even now, I’m avoiding graduate school because I already have so much in loans and can’t imagine adding more.”

Henna's experience mirrors that of millions of young people who are trying to move forward in life with the burden of debt already strapped to their backs. Whether they’re attending public or private universities, many students must base life decisions — where to live, what to study, what job to take — around their debt, not their dreams.

And let’s be clear: the price keeps rising. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost to attend a public four-year university has increased by over 150% (adjusted for inflation) since the 1980s. Meanwhile, wages have stayed relatively flat.

The numbers don’t lie — college is becoming less of a door to opportunity and more of a financial gamble.

But it’s not just students carrying the weight. Families are, too.

Karina Sorto, a 49-year-old single mother in Nassau County, NY, is helping her oldest son pay for his degree at a California State University campus. “When he was accepted, we were all so excited,” she said. “But the financial aid package didn’t cover enough. I had to take out a Parent PLUS loan, and now I’m $22,000 in debt — and he’s not even finished.”

The emotional toll has been just as heavy. “I feel guilty all the time,” Karina admitted. “He’s working two part-time jobs and still barely making it. And I worry about what this debt means for my own retirement.”

Her story reveals the uncomfortable truth that college debt is not just a young person’s issue — it’s a multigenerational burden. Parents are often taking on loans later in life, threatening their own financial security in the process.

“I just wanted to help my son succeed,” Karina said. “But I didn’t think it would cost this much — for both of us.”

Henna, like many of her peers, feels disillusioned with the current system. “It absolutely needs reform,” she said. “It’s like we’re punished for trying to better ourselves. Interest builds so fast — I’ve paid for years and barely made a dent. It’s discouraging.”

And she’s not wrong. Student loan interest rates, which can be over 7% for federal loans, mean that even as borrowers make payments, their debt continues to grow. Some students graduate only to find that they owe more than when they started school.

Meanwhile, many families are forced to choose between education and stability. Karina described cutting back on everything — vacations, car repairs, even medical appointments — just to help her son cover tuition and housing. “It feels like we’re constantly behind, no matter how hard we try,” she said.

In recent years, political leaders have made several attempts to address the student loan crisis, including forgiveness programs and proposals for tuition-free community college. But many say these are band-aid fixes for a system that’s fundamentally broken.

“It’s a start, sure,” said Karina, “but it’s not enough. What about families like mine who already have loans? What about future students who’ll go through the same thing?”

Henna agreed. “Forgiving $10,000 is helpful, but it doesn’t solve the problem. If nothing changes, the next group of students will be right where I am now.”

They’re both right — true reform has to be structural. That means not just forgiving some loans, but rethinking how we fund public education in the first place. I’ve watched friends, classmates, and even their parents drown under the weight of college debt. I’ve seen brilliant people put their dreams on hold or settle for jobs they hate because of what they owe. I, myself, changed my career path for this sole reason. I believe we’re overdue for a radical rethink of our higher education system.

Here’s what I believe needs to happen:

• Make federal loans interest-free to prevent balances from ballooning unfairly.

• Expand financial literacy programs so students and parents understand what they’re signing up for.

• Increase transparency in college pricing — many families don’t know what they’ll really pay until it’s too late.

• Create a sliding scale tuition model, so families who earn less pay less.

This isn’t about “free handouts.” It’s about leveling the playing field so every young person has a chance at success without being crushed by debt before their careers even begin.

As we stand today, too many Americans are stuck paying the price for wanting an education. Students are demoralized, parents are stressed, and colleges are increasingly out of reach for working families.

But there’s hope, and there’s strength.

“Although it may suck right now and feel like the worst thing ever, eventually it gets better,” Henna said when reflecting on her journey. “But it would be better if we didn’t have to go through this in the first place.”

The next generation deserves better. It’s time for leaders, educators, and communities to come together and fix what’s broken — before it’s too late. Because no one should have to mortgage their future just to have one.