FREE DEBT VS. INVESTMENT COMPARISON

Student loan debt vs. student investment.

If you build a plan to avoid student loan debt, you can put that money toward your future instead. See what a one-time investment equal to the debt you avoided could grow into if invested in the S&P 500. Adjust the amount, ages, and estimated annual return to compare your own scenario.

Student loan amount

Starting ageEnding age

Estimated annual return

PROJECTED VALUE AT AGE 65$2,228,883

A $37,000 investment growing for 43 years at 10% annually.

Investment gain$2,191,883

Return on investment5,924%

This hypothetical illustration assumes one lump-sum investment and annual compounding. The 10% default reflects the S&P 500’s approximate historical average annual return since 1957. It is not guaranteed and excludes taxes, fees, inflation, and market fluctuations. Source: Fidelity.