The Price Of Graduation: Why Gen Z College Grads Are Drowning In Debt—and What Brands Can Do About It

Forbes

22-05-2025

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As millions of new college graduates step into adulthood, they face a financial landscape that is both challenging and complex. The excitement of landing a first job or moving into a new apartment is often overshadowed by the burden of student loan debt. With the average debt load hovering around $30,000—and one in five federal borrowers already struggling with default or delinquency just months after repayments resumed—Gen Z college grads are under financial pressure from day one. Add rising living costs and stagnant wages, and it's clear: this generation is entering adulthood in an economic pressure cooker.
For retailers and stakeholders across the commerce ecosystem, this isn't just a challenge: it's a wake-up call. Young consumers represent long-term value and influence. But to earn their trust and loyalty, brands need to understand their realities and meet them with empathy, transparency and action.
1. Gen Z Is Under Extreme Financial Strain, And It's Impacting Major Life Decisions
Today's grads are navigating a landscape defined by persistent economic stress. Many are graduating into jobs that don't pay enough to keep up with the cost of living, let alone make a dent in student loans. According to a 2024 survey by Earnest, many recent graduates feel financially unprepared for life after college. An overwhelming 97% say they lack the tools to budget or repay their loans, 35% regret taking on debt without fully understanding it, and 92% would have approached college differently had they known the extent of their future debt. And with housing costs, groceries, transportation, and healthcare costs steadily climbing, many are relying on side gigs or moving back home just to stay afloat.
Financial stress isn't just about immediate expenses—it influences long-term decisions, from homeownership to retirement savings, and even impacts mental health. A recent Harvard report found that 56% of young adults regularly experience financial anxiety, a stark reminder of the pressures facing this demographic.
This kind of pressure doesn't just delay milestones, it rewrites them. The idea of homeownership feels out of reach. Starting a family or building savings can feel unrealistic. For industries tied to life-stage milestones—mortgages, travel, insurance and retail—this presents both a threat and a challenge. Brands that fail to understand the broader impact of financial strain risk alienating a key generation of future customers.
2. Gen Z College Grads Crave Clarity and Control in Their Finances
While every generation has faced economic challenges, Gen Z has come of age during a uniquely turbulent stretch, marked by the Great Recession's aftermath, a global pandemic and historic inflation—all during their formative years. They've learned to be cautious, and many are skeptical of traditional financial systems. What they want isn't more credit; it's more control. Flexible financial services have surged in popularity not just because they offer convenience, but because they offer predictability.
Brands should recognize that Gen Z's loyalty lies with those that respect their boundaries and financial realities. Offering transparent payment options with no hidden fees, tools to track spending, and financial literacy content builds more than engagement: it builds trust. And when consumers feel in control, they're more likely to return, recommend and invest in long-term relationships with brands.
3. Trust Isn't a Buzzword, It's a Buying Trigger
More than any generation before them, Gen Z uses brand values as a filter for where they shop. In a crowded marketplace, authenticity becomes currency. In fact, a 2023 survey found that 80% of Gen Z and millennial consumers are likely to base purchases on a brand's mission or stated purpose, a clear sign that trust is a critical differentiator. Conversely, they're quick to disengage from brands that fall short, whether through misleading marketing, poor customer service or unclear pricing.
To succeed, companies must treat transparency as a core brand value, not a feature. That means plain-language pricing, flexible return policies, clear terms and honest messaging about what your product or service delivers. If Gen Z sees your brand as a partner in their financial journey, these new college grads will reward you with something far more valuable than a one-time transaction: long-term loyalty.
4. Empowerment Over Offers: Help Gen Z Make Smarter Financial Moves
Discounts and promos might get Gen Z in the door but empowerment is what keeps them there. This generation is hungry for tools and content that make them feel informed and confident in their choices. Whether it's a financial planning resource hub, interactive budgeting tools or community forums for money talk, brands that prioritize education and empowerment will stand out.
Companies can also add value through partnerships. Collaborating with financial wellness platforms, student loan advisors, or nonprofit educators can help brands offer credible, helpful content without needing to build it all from scratch. Empowerment doesn't mean turning your business into a bank. It means acknowledging your customer's reality and helping them navigate it better.
The companies that rise to meet Gen Z's financial needs will do more than win market share, they'll earn something even more valuable: trust. And in today's highly competitive, loyalty-driven landscape, trust is the foundation for sustained growth. For brands ready to engage this next generation of consumers, the message is clear: respect their reality, meet them with empathy and build solutions that empower—not pressure—them to thrive.