The states where borrowers owe the most in federal student loans, ranked by average balance

Across the 50 states, federal student loan borrowers owe thousands on average. Tevarak/Getty Images The total federal student loan portfolio now exceeds $1.72 trillion, with 42.3 million borrowers. Borrowers in Maryland owe an average of $45,589 — over $4,000 more than the national average. Texas has the highest number of borrowers, while California has the highest total balance. For millions of Americans, the cost of a college education doesn't end after graduation. As of June 30, 42.3 million people held more than $1.72 trillion in outstanding federal student loans , according to the Department of Education. With the yearly sticker cost of attending some colleges surpassing the six-figure mark, many students and families turn to loans that can take years — or even decades — to repay.