No Duh

Student loans could delay retirement for young grads.

How many articles can be written about how student loans affect young people's ability to buy homes, save for retirement, or just have money, in general?  The math is so obvious.  Any money spent on loans or interest is money not spent on other things.  And one of the good things to spend money on is investments that accrue interest or value, like homes or retirement savings invested in stock.  Math:

20,000 loan at 5% paid off in 10 years - total price paid: $212.13 per month = $25,455
20,000 investment at 5% in 35 years - total value: $110,320

So while it seems like that 20-25 grand is a reasonable amount, over time the value is really much more.