A survey by Iowa College Aid found that students and families overestimate the debt associated with college and are likely planning for the worst when preparing for the financial impact of higher education. The survey, conducted at the Iowa State Fair, found that 58 percent of those surveyed expect student debt after earning a college degree to top $35,000. That number is 30 percent higher than the average student debt for Iowa public university graduates, which is just over $27,000, and 10 percent higher than the average debt for graduates of private, not-for-profit colleges and universities in Iowa, which is just under $32,000. The number was 2.5 times the average debt for graduates of Iowa’s community colleges, just over  $14,000. “We know that more than half of Iowans who never enroll in postsecondary education cite cost as the reason,” said Karen Misjak, Iowa College Aid executive director. “That means an unrealistic expectation of student loan debt could hinder Iowa’s efforts to increase the number of residents who pursue higher education.”