Student Loan Debt
We must address student debt. The average student accumulates $30,000 of debt after four years of college, and the average starting salary with a four-year degree is $50,000. Fifty years ago, those figures would be $7,000 of debt and a $66,000 salary. In other words, it’s harder for people starting out in their careers now than it used to be. And we can’t continue down this path.
Minnesota is home to some of the best public colleges and universities in the country. Lack of wealth should not deter someone who wants to pursue higher education. We must make sure that public post-secondary education is affordable and accessible, whether that’s technical school, obtaining an associate’s degree, or earning a bachelor's degree. People should not be saddled with a lifetime of crushing debt for pursuing a higher education.