In Nellie Mae’s (2002) Credit Card Usage Analysis, it was reported that
the median credit-card balance among college students was $1,770, with a
mean credit-card balance of $2,327. Smaller studies have found similar rates.
For example, Norvilitis, Szablicki, and Wilson (2003) reported a mean student
credit-card balance of $2,067; and Manning (1999) found a mean balance
of $2,226. In his study, which was funded partially by MasterCards,
Staten (2002) disputed these amounts, finding that the mean balance of
student accounts was just $552. However, Stanton only examined debt in
one active account. This is likely to be an underestimate because students
may have more than one active account.