I have about $15,000 in school loans from getting my four year degree. I was in a flight program with the University of Illinois. So I am paying those off on a 10-year plan, but it really isn't as bad as it could be. From insurance, car payments, uniform deductions, 5% 401(k) contribution, and loan repayments, there isn't much left over on a ~$18,000/yr wage. If the loan payments were multiplied for four, I'd be digging a big hole into major debt.