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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 361 | Fresno Pacific University | C | $23,146 | $263 | $58,896 | 1.2 yrs |
| 362 | Oakland University | C | $22,750 | $259 | $58,612 | 1.2 yrs |
| 363 | Robert Morris University | C | $26,950 | $306 | $62,105 | 1.2 yrs |
| 364 | Kansas State University Kansas | C | $21,250 | $242 | $57,262 | 1.2 yrs |
| 365 | Allegheny College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $62,069 | 1.2 yrs |
| 366 | Walla Walla University Washington | C | $26,842 | $305 | $61,885 | 1.2 yrs |
| 367 | La Sierra University | C | $27,000 | $307 | $61,824 | 1.2 yrs |
| 368 | Minnesota State University, Mankato | C | $21,106 | $240 | $56,922 | 1.2 yrs |
| 369 | Mount Holyoke College | C | $22,902 | $260 | $58,418 | 1.2 yrs |
| 370 | Northern Illinois University | C | $22,162 | $252 | $57,808 | 1.2 yrs |
| 371 | Texas State University | C | $21,000 | $239 | $56,906 | 1.2 yrs |
| 372 | University of Nebraska, Lincoln | C | $21,000 | $239 | $56,887 | 1.2 yrs |
| 373 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | C | $21,500 | $244 | $57,289 | 1.2 yrs |
| 374 | York College of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania | C | $26,000 | $296 | $61,012 | 1.2 yrs |
| 375 | Susquehanna University Pennsylvania | C | $27,000 | $307 | $61,723 | 1.2 yrs |
| 376 | Lipscomb University | C | $19,500 | $222 | $55,541 | 1.2 yrs |
| 377 | Rhode Island College | C | $20,500 | $233 | $56,318 | 1.2 yrs |
| 378 | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | C | $20,500 | $233 | $56,346 | 1.2 yrs |
| 379 | Spelman College | C | $25,000 | $284 | $59,993 | 1.2 yrs |
| 380 | University of Tampa | C | $24,211 | $275 | $59,436 | 1.2 yrs |
| 381 | Anne Arundel Community College | C | $8,250 | $94 | $46,219 | 1.2 yrs |
| 382 | Nova Southeastern University | C | $24,250 | $276 | $59,209 | 1.2 yrs |
| 383 | University of Dallas | C | $23,117 | $263 | $58,285 | 1.2 yrs |
| 384 | Western Connecticut State University | C | $24,147 | $275 | $59,115 | 1.2 yrs |
| 385 | Saint Michael's College Vermont | C | $26,922 | $306 | $61,317 | 1.2 yrs |
| 386 | University of Wisconsin - Stout | C | $23,000 | $262 | $58,084 | 1.2 yrs |
| 387 | Willamette University | C | $21,500 | $244 | $56,911 | 1.2 yrs |
| 388 | William Jewell College | C | $24,498 | $279 | $59,268 | 1.2 yrs |
| 389 | Belmont University | C | $20,500 | $233 | $55,930 | 1.3 yrs |
| 390 | Dallas Baptist University | C | $21,591 | $245 | $56,807 | 1.3 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.