Education boosts lifetime earnings — yet comes at a cost. According to the National Association of REALTORS®’s 2024 Home Buyers and Sellers profile, 36% of buyers cited student loans as a significant barrier to saving for a down payment. Higher degrees may delay first-time homebuying, but they also boost mobility and income over time.

Recent data from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) illustrate a complex relationship between education and homebuying trends. While bachelor’s degree holders often earn more over the long term, they also tend to delay purchasing due to higher debt loads. In fact, 36% of buyers reported that student loans impeded their ability to save for a home . Additionally, those with higher education levels are more likely to relocate, with 6.3% of bachelor’s holders moving in 2023 — shaping regional housing dynamics.

This interplay suggests a trade-off: investing in education can raise earnings power, but also creates short-term hurdles for entering the housing market. The data raises important questions: How can policymakers balance support for higher education and access to homeownership? Could expanding income-driven repayment plans or down payment assistance for degree-holders ease the transition into the housing market? Future research could explore whether strategic financial support at this juncture leads to improved long-term homeownership outcomes.

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Source:
National Association of REALTORS®. (2025, June). How education is shaping homeownership trends. Economists’ Outlook. Retrieved from https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/how-education-is-shaping-homeownership-trends