This is the amount of student loan debt that Elon Musk can pay back.

It’s hard not to imagine all the ways in which Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, can use his vastness. wealth To make life easier for others. The perks of free market capitalism do not need him to do so, but such thought experiments are difficult to avoid.

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For example, take out student loan debt. Federal student loans are less predatory than private lenders, but Average interest rate Currently, I hold about 6.8% on federal loans and private loans that could reach 15% or more. Many believe that in order to receive a good education, we should not always bring Mount’s benefits.

To further experiment with this idea, Gobankingrates realized how many student loan debts Elon Musk can pay back (and for how many people) Still a billionaire.

As of June 20, 2025, Elon Musk’s net worth weighed at $400 billion. Forbes. That’s more money than most people can get pregnant or spend remotely! To put this in context, we need someone who makes $100,000 a year for over 4 million years. Make that much moneyif that’s possible.

Think about this: If wealth is distributed evenly across America, how much money does everyone have?

In the US, as of the end of 2024, unpaid student loan obligations totaled over $1.77 trillion. The archaeological numbers are very large and almost sound fake, like something a child made. Approximately 42.7 million people hold their debts together. Currently, unpaid liabilities do not mean that they are defaulting, but rather are being paid slowly, monthly, and sometimes generously. However, it may be in the collection.

Of the $1.77 trillion, 92.2% is made up of federal student loans. Educational Data Initiativethere is another nearly 8% of loans held privately.

If we record 92.2% of $1.77 trillion, it will be around $1.63 trillion. Additionally, with 42.7 million people owing to federal debt, the average federal student loan debt balance is around $38,375 per person. To make math easier, close to $38,000.

If Elon Musk maintains just $1.5 billion in his fortune, Maintaining billionaire statushe was able to repay 10,789,473 federal loans.

Given the recent attempts by the US government to allow student loans or to do unforformed forms, it’s great to imagine a world in which the wealthiest man in the world places money to make life more affordable for the average American in the service of education. People can dream.