Ordered by how long the earnings premium takes to clear the median debt — least time first. The typical graded US university clears its debt in 1.3 years on median earnings of $57,089 against $22,500 of debt.
| # | University | Grade | You borrow | Monthly | You earn | Debt clears in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | Brigham Young University - Idaho | C | $13,969 | $159 | $53,406 | 1 yrs |
| 302 | Centre College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $66,240 | 1 yrs |
| 303 | Temple University | C | $24,395 | $277 | $63,727 | 1 yrs |
| 304 | North Dakota State University North Dakota | C | $23,199 | $264 | $62,203 | 1 yrs |
| 305 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii | C | $18,500 | $210 | $57,624 | 1 yrs |
| 306 | St. Mary's College of Maryland | C | $21,000 | $239 | $60,110 | 1 yrs |
| 307 | Mount St. Mary's University | C | $25,391 | $289 | $64,072 | 1 yrs |
| 308 | Gustavus Adolphus College | C | $26,774 | $304 | $65,607 | 1 yrs |
| 309 | Samford University | C | $19,500 | $222 | $58,469 | 1 yrs |
| 310 | Woodbury University | C | $26,960 | $307 | $65,668 | 1 yrs |
| 311 | University of Wyoming | C | $18,000 | $205 | $56,880 | 1 yrs |
| 312 | Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania | C | $25,000 | $284 | $63,435 | 1.1 yrs |
| 313 | Eastern Washington University Washington | C | $19,500 | $222 | $57,897 | 1.1 yrs |
| 314 | Aurora University | C | $20,318 | $231 | $58,709 | 1.1 yrs |
| 315 | University of Baltimore | C | $23,250 | $264 | $61,335 | 1.1 yrs |
| 316 | University of Texas Permian Basin | C | $17,750 | $202 | $56,073 | 1.1 yrs |
| 317 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania | C | $23,500 | $267 | $61,258 | 1.1 yrs |
| 318 | university of illinois springfield Illinois | C | $19,128 | $217 | $57,103 | 1.1 yrs |
| 319 | Wilkes University | C | $26,000 | $296 | $63,454 | 1.1 yrs |
| 320 | Hamline University | C | $23,770 | $270 | $61,106 | 1.1 yrs |
| 321 | Hawaii Pacific University | C | $22,000 | $250 | $59,593 | 1.1 yrs |
| 322 | Pacific University | C | $23,223 | $264 | $60,583 | 1.1 yrs |
| 323 | University of North Texas | C | $19,250 | $219 | $57,010 | 1.1 yrs |
| 324 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | C | $20,909 | $238 | $58,561 | 1.1 yrs |
| 325 | Portland State University Oregon | C | $20,500 | $233 | $57,906 | 1.1 yrs |
| 326 | Mount Mercy University Iowa | C | $23,699 | $269 | $60,787 | 1.1 yrs |
| 327 | Howard Community College | C | $10,500 | $119 | $49,020 | 1.1 yrs |
| 328 | University of Minnesota - Crookston | C | $20,500 | $233 | $58,056 | 1.1 yrs |
| 329 | High Point University North Carolina | C | $24,575 | $279 | $61,389 | 1.1 yrs |
| 330 | King University | C | $22,750 | $259 | $59,831 | 1.1 yrs |
The universities that clear their debt quickest are rarely the most famous. Payback is a ratio: a modest salary against very little borrowing beats a high salary carrying a large loan. Specialist institutions and low-cost publics dominate here for exactly that reason.
It says nothing about teaching, class size or how much you will enjoy three years there. It also cannot tell you what your subject pays — the federal figures are published per institution, so every course on campus shares one number.
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Figures cover students who received federal financial aid and blend every subject at each institution. Information only, not financial advice.