A Partner's Finances Can End a Relationship: 55% of Daters Surveyed Say Debt Can be a Dealbreaker, According to New Earnest Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Earnest (NAVI) released the 2026 Debt and Dating Research Report showing debt influences dating choices and relationship tension. The survey of 1,102 Americans found 55% view at least one type of debt as a dealbreaker, payday loans (41%) and high-interest credit card debt (14%) lead. 61% will overlook debt if a partner is actively repaying; 60% cite money as their top relationship tension source. The study used an anonymous November 2025 survey and five interviews.

Positive

• 55% of respondents view debt as a dealbreaker
• 61% will overlook partner debt if actively repaying
• 61% say repayment plan nullifies debt red flag
• Survey sampled 1,102 Americans in November 2025

Negative

• 60% cite money as the leading source of relationship tension
• 61% delay debt disclosure until exclusivity
• 25% rank debt as their most avoided conversation topic
• 23% would delay moving in for $20K–$49K non-mortgage debt

Earnest's new research reveals that debt is quietly shaping who we date, trust, and commit to.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Love may be blind, but debt is quietly shaping who Americans date, trust, and commit to. That's according to the 2026 Debt and Dating Research Report released today by Earnest, a leading fintech company on a mission to empower ambitious professionals to make confident financial decisions, which found financial liabilities have officially become a filter for romantic compatibility.  The study of over 1,100 participants found that 55% of respondents say at least one type of debt is an automatic dealbreaker—led by payday loans (41%) and high-interest credit card debt (14%).

Even as debt becomes a key compatibility filter, most couples are avoiding the conversation altogether. Despite 60% citing money as their leading source of relationship tension, 61% say they wait until they're officially exclusive before disclosing debt—creating a silence that often fuels stress, mistrust, and conflict.

This silence carries a heavy emotional toll:

• Debt is harder to admit than who you voted for: 25% of daters rank debt as their most avoided conversation topic, making it more uncomfortable to discuss than politics (22%), religion (7%), or family drama (7%).
• Debt is sabotaging dating confidence before anyone even swipes: Nearly half (43%) report that their dating confidence fluctuates based on how their debt is perceived, and 11% say debt makes them feel 'undateable.'
• Money fights are about habits, not just balances: The top drivers of financial conflict are differences in spending habits (58%) and stress about making ends meet (58%). One-third (33%) of couples in conflict also cite 'financial avoidance' or hiding purchases as a significant stressor.

Despite these anxieties, the data suggests that debt is rarely a dealbreaker when met with a clear strategy:

• The "Repayment" Green Flag: 61% of respondents will overlook a partner's debt if they are "actively paying it down," and 34% say a clear repayment plan nullifies the red flag.
• Student debt gets sympathy. Credit card debt gets side-eye: Daters are nearly 5x more accepting of student loan debt (threshold of ~$55K) than credit card debt (~$12K), viewing "investment debt" through a far more sympathetic lens.
• Debt stops couples from taking the next step: When a plan is absent, debt stalls life stages. Nearly one-quarter (23%) would delay moving in with a partner carrying $20K–$49K in non-mortgage debt—though 15% take an unconditional view, stating no amount of debt would prevent cohabitation.

"In dating today, unmanaged debt is perceived as an unmanaged life. People aren't walking away because someone has debt; they're walking away because they don't see ownership," said Emily Childers, Chief Marketing Officer at Earnest. "A clear plan is the difference between a red flag and a green one."

The full findings from Earnest's 2026 Debt and Dating Research Report can be found here. For borrowers interested in learning more about how they can potentially save money by refinancing their student loans, please visit https://www.earnest.com/refinance-student-loans.

Methodology
The study is based on proprietary data collected in November 2025, including an anonymous survey of 1,102 Americans conducted via Prolific and hosted on Qualtrics, as well as qualitative insights from five in-depth user interviews.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the interview subjects are not necessarily those of Earnest. This post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

About Earnest
Since 2013, Earnest has empowered ambitious students and professionals through life's biggest financial milestones. Whether it's funding higher education, refinancing student debt as careers take off, or financing life's next chapter, we provide the right tools at the right time. We empower people on their journey from debt to wealth through flexible student loan refinancing and personal loans that help them take control and start building the life they envision.

Earnest is a subsidiary of Navient (Nasdaq: NAVI).

Earnest Loans are made by Earnest Operations LLC. Earnest Operations LLC, NMLS #1204917. 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland, CA 94612. California Financing Law License 6054788. Visit www.earnest.com/licenses for a full list of licensed states. For California residents: Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Financing Law License.

Earnest student refinance loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.

 © 2026 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

Media contact:
Earnest PR
press@earnest.com 

 

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SOURCE Earnest

FAQ

What did Earnest's 2026 report (NAVI) find about debt as a dating dealbreaker?

Debt is often a compatibility filter: 55% view at least one debt type as a dealbreaker. According to Earnest, payday loans (41%) and high-interest credit card debt (14%) were most cited, and many daters judge partners by debt type and repayment behavior.

How does a partner's repayment plan affect dating perceptions in Earnest's findings for NAVI?

A clear repayment plan often removes the red flag: 61% will overlook debt if actively paying it down. According to Earnest, demonstrable progress and a repayment strategy shift perceptions from irresponsibility to responsibility among potential partners.

What relationship tensions related to money did Earnest report that NAVI investors should note?

Money is the top tension: 60% cite it as their leading source of relationship conflict. According to Earnest, differences in spending habits (58%) and stress about making ends meet (58%) are the main drivers of money-related fights.

How does debt affect major relationship milestones, per Earnest's NAVI report?

Debt can delay life steps: 23% would postpone moving in with someone carrying $20K–$49K in non-mortgage debt. According to Earnest, absence of a repayment plan is a key reason couples stall cohabitation and other milestones.

What conversational and emotional impacts of debt did Earnest (NAVI) identify among daters?

Debt is emotionally sensitive: 25% rank it their most avoided topic and 11% feel 'undateable' due to debt. According to Earnest, 43% report dating confidence fluctuates based on how their debt is perceived, driving stress and mistrust.