Yes, they certainly are a debt, but they are, in general, considered a "good debt." Educational debt and business startup debt are also, in general, considered "good debt."

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/12/good-debt-bad-de...

That being said, it's a general statement, specific cases of those can be "bad debts" if they are taken out recklessly and/or without forethought and planning and budgeting.