Even more statistics:
U.S. Student Loan Debt Statistics for 2019 | Student Loan Hero
Yes things today are different. The financial system has way too much tolerance. The same old problem that seems to haunt so many issues of the day....lack of or not very meaningful enforcement.
I do not understand why having student loan debt at graduation is treated like such a surprise.
One borrows while in school to be able to go to school.
Hence one has student loan debt to be repaid....usually starting one yer after graduation.
Lower the interest rates extend the time and enforce the expectation to pay what was committed.
Look at the average loan amounts and the payments in the article above. Amounts owed (in total and monthly payments) are less than many autos financed.
The problem is manageable and solvable (just like it was in many of our days).....the expectation has changed.