Credit Cards About 57% of first-year students reported having at least one credit card, although just 15% have two or more cards. Among those students who have credit cards, 87% reported that they pay off their balance each month and, as such, their current credit card balance is zero; however, when asked what their current credit card balance is, just 36% said it is zero. Among those with an unpaid balance, the average credit card debt is $1,047. Table 47: Credit cards All students (n=18,092) Group University of Ottawa (n=1,477) 1 (n=6,335) 2 (n=6,712) 3 (n=5,045) Number of credit cards (FIN1) None 43% 53% 43% 36% 38% One 42% 35% 42% 48% 49% Two 6% 4% 6% 6% 7% Three or more 9% 9% 9% 9% 6% Regularly pay off balance each month* (FIN2) Yes 87% 83% 88% 87% 88% Total credit card balance* (FIN3) Zero 36% 34% 35% 38% 40% $500 or less 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% $501 to $1,000 3% 3% 2% 3% 3% Over $1,000 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% Don't know 51% 52% 53% 48% 46% Average (all with credit card) $196 $268 $158 $205 $221 Average (those with unpaid balance) $1,047 $1,450 $803 $1,041 $1,090 * Total credit card balance and payment of the balance were asked of those who had at least one credit card.
