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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 331 | University of Michigan - Dearborn | C | $22,500 | $256 | $59,649 | 1.1 yrs |
| 332 | Austin College | C | $24,500 | $279 | $61,296 | 1.1 yrs |
| 333 | College of Saint Benedict | C | $26,944 | $306 | $63,260 | 1.1 yrs |
| 334 | Texas Woman's University | C | $19,218 | $219 | $56,544 | 1.1 yrs |
| 335 | Winona State University | C | $21,500 | $244 | $58,532 | 1.1 yrs |
| 336 | Valparaiso University Indiana | C | $26,942 | $306 | $63,191 | 1.1 yrs |
| 337 | University of Kentucky Kentucky | C | $22,500 | $256 | $59,025 | 1.2 yrs |
| 338 | University of Alabama Alabama | C | $22,750 | $259 | $59,221 | 1.2 yrs |
| 339 | Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Minnesota | C | $21,500 | $244 | $58,170 | 1.2 yrs |
| 340 | Canisius University New York | C | $24,250 | $276 | $60,681 | 1.2 yrs |
| 341 | Stevenson University | C | $26,000 | $296 | $62,079 | 1.2 yrs |
| 342 | Long Island University | C | $23,577 | $268 | $59,950 | 1.2 yrs |
| 343 | Oklahoma State University | C | $20,500 | $233 | $57,413 | 1.2 yrs |
| 344 | Rider University | C | $26,130 | $297 | $62,208 | 1.2 yrs |
| 345 | University of Texas at San Antonio Texas | C | $20,500 | $233 | $57,131 | 1.2 yrs |
| 346 | Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia | C | $21,500 | $244 | $58,128 | 1.2 yrs |
| 347 | Carroll College | C | $25,757 | $293 | $61,772 | 1.2 yrs |
| 348 | Saint Xavier University | C | $22,223 | $253 | $58,656 | 1.2 yrs |
| 349 | Southern Utah University | C | $12,500 | $142 | $50,296 | 1.2 yrs |
| 350 | State University of New York at Oswego | C | $20,880 | $237 | $57,566 | 1.2 yrs |
| 351 | Central Connecticut State University | C | $22,300 | $254 | $58,562 | 1.2 yrs |
| 352 | Florida Gulf Coast University | C | $17,622 | $200 | $54,560 | 1.2 yrs |
| 353 | Lake Forest College | C | $26,158 | $297 | $61,825 | 1.2 yrs |
| 354 | Lebanon Valley College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $62,621 | 1.2 yrs |
| 355 | McDaniel College Maryland | C | $25,000 | $284 | $60,663 | 1.2 yrs |
| 356 | Elizabethtown College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $62,399 | 1.2 yrs |
| 357 | Frederick Community College | C | $8,150 | $93 | $46,449 | 1.2 yrs |
| 358 | Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion | C | $24,250 | $276 | $59,986 | 1.2 yrs |
| 359 | California Baptist University | C | $26,063 | $296 | $61,504 | 1.2 yrs |
| 360 | Christopher Newport University | C | $25,000 | $284 | $60,509 | 1.2 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.