A new study says Georgia students don’t have as much college debt as students elsewhere.

The Institute For College Access and Success says Georgia’s 2010 graduating seniors owe less than 19,000 dollars in student loans on average.

The institute’s Matthew Reed says Georgia offers more grant money and cheaper tuition.

“It’s very important at the federal, state, and college level to commit to maintaining or increasing grant aid especially need based grant aid, which reduces the need to borrow.“

30 Georgia colleges contributed to the study.

Nationwide graduating seniors owed over 25,000 dollars in debt, up 5 percent from 2009.

Tags: Georgia colleges, college tuition, student loans, student loan debt