I graduated in '11 from a University with a degree in Economics and Finance. I maintained a GPA well enough to graduate Summa Cum Laude; and ((I know I'm incredibly lucky here)) but I graduated with no student debt (Thank you so much Mom and Dad).

Even with no student debt, a B.A. from a top liberal arts university, and an entry level position in analysis (I make around 11/hr, and its also worth note this is my first ever job), I cannot afford rent anywhere (housing prices, even rent prices here in this part of Virginia are ridiculous, to live somewhere that isn't section 8, and in a moderately nice neighborhood, you're looking at around a grand to twelve hundred + utilities).

I know how incredibly fortunate I was to have parents who were able to pay for my school, and allow me few luxuries other kids my age didn't have; but even without student debt it is incredibly hard as a young adult to maintain any sort of standard of living resembling that of my parents//grandparents. With a tough job market, (which employers love because they can keep lower wages, stretch employees thin, etc. because they understand the fear in employees); rising costs across all markets, it really is tough for those of us recent grads.

Also don't get me wrong, I am incredibly thankful for the position I am in now; as it pays well better than some of the positions I see, and I am gaining experience (something I lacked previously); and I am not one of those kids who when they graduated thought they would shoot right to the top of a corporate ladder by any means; it just is tough from going to being on top of world when I graduated, thinking the world really was my oyster, to not even being able to afford a place to live.

I know my story might not be the same as everyone else's, just my two cents.