Student calculator
Free student loan calculator for federal and private loans. Enter your balance, interest rate, and term (standard repayment is 10 years) to see the monthly payment, total interest, and how much extra payments accelerate payoff.
Amortization schedule
| Period | Interest | Principal | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,028.33 | $2,634.53 | $32,365.47 | |
| Month 1 | $175.00 | $213.57 | $34,786.43 |
| Month 2 | $173.93 | $214.64 | $34,571.79 |
| Month 3 | $172.86 | $215.71 | $34,356.08 |
| Month 4 | $171.78 | $216.79 | $34,139.28 |
| Month 5 | $170.70 | $217.88 | $33,921.41 |
| Month 6 | $169.61 | $218.96 | $33,702.44 |
| Month 7 | $168.51 | $220.06 | $33,482.38 |
| Month 8 | $167.41 | $221.16 | $33,261.23 |
| Month 9 | $166.31 | $222.27 | $33,038.96 |
| Month 10 | $165.19 | $223.38 | $32,815.58 |
| Month 11 | $164.08 | $224.49 | $32,591.09 |
| Month 12 | $162.96 | $225.62 | $32,365.47 |
| $1,865.84 | $2,797.02 | $29,568.45 | |
| $1,693.33 | $2,969.53 | $26,598.92 | |
| $1,510.17 | $3,152.69 | $23,446.23 | |
| $1,315.72 | $3,347.14 | $20,099.09 | |
| $1,109.28 | $3,553.58 | $16,545.51 | |
| $890.10 | $3,772.76 | $12,772.75 | |
| $657.41 | $4,005.46 | $8,767.29 | |
| $410.36 | $4,252.50 | $4,514.79 | |
| $148.07 | $4,514.79 | $0.00 |
How to use student calculator
- 01Enter your total balance
Use the current principal. If you have multiple loans at similar rates, add them together for a quick weighted estimate.
- 02Enter the rate
Federal unsubsidized graduate loans often run 6–8%. Private loans vary widely. If you have multiple rates, use the weighted average.
- 03Pick the repayment term
Standard is 10 years. Extended plans go 20–25 years and lower the monthly payment but balloon total interest.
- 04Try extra payments
Any extra — even $50/month — goes straight to principal. See how fast it pays the loan off and how much interest it erases.
Examples
Formula
Monthly payment = P × r / (1 − (1 + r)⁻ⁿ), where P is principal, r is the monthly interest rate (APR / 12), and n is the number of months. Extra payments are applied to principal each month until the balance reaches zero.
M = P · r / (1 − (1 + r)^−n)Frequently asked questions
Should I extend the term to lower my payment?
Extending the term lowers the monthly payment but increases total interest, sometimes dramatically. Compare the two here before committing — a 10-to-20 year extension on a $35k loan can double the interest paid.
How much does income-driven repayment change the math?
Income-driven plans cap your payment at a percentage of discretionary income, which isn't what this calculator computes. Use this tool for standard and extended plans, then check your federal servicer for income-driven estimates.
Is it better to pay off student loans or invest?
If your rate is higher than your expected long-term investment return (often ~7%), extra payments usually win. Use this calculator with the compound-interest tool side by side to compare.
Does refinancing help?
Refinancing private loans to a lower rate can save real money — run your current and refinanced rates through this calculator to see the difference. Think carefully before refinancing federal loans, since you'll lose access to federal protections.
Last updated . Built by Tooligan.