Good Trouble for Good Debt? A Comparative Analysis of Financial Factors and Racial Differences in U.S. Student Loan Debt Burdens
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2026
DOI
10.20429/jhesa.2026.420106
Publication Title
Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs
Volume
42
Issue
1
Pages
98-127
Abstract
This study examines the relationship surrounding undergraduate student loan debt burdens and income levels post-graduation, focusing particularly on the financial impacts of both on Black student borrowers. Using two datasets from the National Center for Education Statistics, our quantitative analysis highlights that while student loan debt in and of itself is not problematic in theory, when combined with other factors and barriers, debt becomes an additional stressor potentially impeding student success during and after college. We offer short-, intermediate-, and long-term implications, while also highlighting examples of targeted intervention programs tailored to specifically benefit Black student borrowers.
Rights
© 2026 The Authors.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License.
ORCID
0000-0003-4653-3008 (Bullington)
Original Publication Citation
Smith, C. R., Bullington, K. E., & Smith, M. (2026). Good trouble for good debt? A comparative analysis of financial factors and racial differences in US student loan debt burdens. Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs, 42(1), 98-127. https://doi.org/10.20429/jhesa.2026.420106
Repository Citation
Smith, Carlton R.; Bullington, Kim E.; and Smith, Matthew J., "Good Trouble for Good Debt? A Comparative Analysis of Financial Factors and Racial Differences in U.S. Student Loan Debt Burdens" (2026). Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications. 216.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/efl_fac_pubs/216