This is what happens when journalists cannot do simple math – literally, this is nonsensical reporting:

Of 2,000 U.S. participants polled in a survey conducted by online education program, ELVTR, 63% of Americans are still wrestling with debt from student loans.

Source: 54% of Americans say their mental health issues like anxiety and depression are directly related to student loan debt

Real world: Less than 13% of Americans carry student loans. About 40% – today – have a college degree. Many students graduate without debts. Thus to estimate that 2/3ds of Americans have student loan debt is nonsense.

Guess 4x more Americans are stressed by other people’s loans? Did the study even ask that question?

Reporters must never be left alone, in a room, with a number or percentage.

Here’s the original headline in case they memory hole it later: