FARGO (AP) - Spring college graduates find themselves with some big bills to pay.

Area graduates who borrowed money to attend college owe from $15,000 to $33,000 on average. Graduation is the time they realize monthly loan payments are approaching, said Carolyn Zehren, the financial aid director for Minnesota State University Moorhead.

"It's at the point of repayment that it really becomes an in-your-face type of moment," Zehren said.

In addition to the amount they borrowed, students can expect to pay from 6.8 percent to 15 percent interest on their loans, Zehren said.

University of North Dakota student Bobby Haskins thinks he will have to leave the region to repay his $59,000 in student loans.

The Andover, Minn., native, who graduates in August, is interviewing for jobs elsewhere so he can make enough money to pay his debt.

Haskins' debt is higher than most students because of the high fees for his aviation major. One class alone cost him $10,000.

Still, Haskins said, his debt would be higher if he went to another aviation school.

"Did I get the best education for my money? Without a doubt," Haskins said.

At North Dakota State University, the average student can expect to pay $300 a month toward student loans for 10 years.

Melinda Marty, of Monticello, Minn., will graduate today from NDSU with zoology and international studies degrees. Her $26,000 in student loan debt is on par with her classmates.

About $5,000 of that debt was for studying abroad in Germany.

"The debt stinks, but I got some really good experience out of it," Marty said.

MSUM student Jackie Pratschner, of Fargo, will graduate today with an English degree. She has $40,000 in student loan debt.

"I'm a little stressed out," Pratschner said. "It's quite a chunk of money."

Tracy Volk will receive a two-year degree in fashion marketing and management Friday from the Moorhead campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College.

She has about $10,000 in student loan debt.

"I would like to stay in school longer just so I wouldn't have to start paying back the loans," said Volk, of Valley City.

Concordia College student Lance Vilhauer graduated about two weeks ago with a communications degree and minors in business and Spanish.

The Aberdeen, S.D., native has $47,000 in student loans, which he hopes to repay in seven to 10 years.

Duane Emmel, a counselor with the Village Financial Services in Fargo, said many students are so focused on school they don't have a handle on how much they owe until graduation.