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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 391 | Hartwick College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $61,107 | 1.3 yrs |
| 392 | Truman State University | C | $21,000 | $239 | $56,280 | 1.3 yrs |
| 393 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | C | $19,450 | $221 | $55,037 | 1.3 yrs |
| 394 | Whittier College | C | $24,937 | $284 | $59,492 | 1.3 yrs |
| 395 | Presbyterian College South Carolina | C | $26,000 | $296 | $60,194 | 1.3 yrs |
| 396 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh | C | $21,196 | $241 | $56,403 | 1.3 yrs |
| 397 | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | C | $19,500 | $222 | $54,967 | 1.3 yrs |
| 398 | University of Northern Iowa | C | $19,691 | $224 | $55,177 | 1.3 yrs |
| 399 | University of Hartford Connecticut | C | $27,000 | $307 | $60,823 | 1.3 yrs |
| 400 | Augustana University South Dakota | C | $25,000 | $284 | $59,217 | 1.3 yrs |
| 401 | Northern Arizona University Arizona | C | $19,000 | $216 | $54,384 | 1.3 yrs |
| 402 | The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Texas | C | $12,950 | $147 | $49,620 | 1.3 yrs |
| 403 | Hendrix College | C | $26,688 | $303 | $60,376 | 1.3 yrs |
| 404 | Mercer University | C | $24,199 | $275 | $58,354 | 1.3 yrs |
| 405 | Saint Edward's University | C | $24,803 | $282 | $58,826 | 1.3 yrs |
| 406 | Park University | C | $21,685 | $247 | $56,309 | 1.3 yrs |
| 407 | Saint Cloud State University | C | $21,058 | $239 | $55,813 | 1.3 yrs |
| 408 | Hampton University | C | $25,442 | $289 | $59,159 | 1.3 yrs |
| 409 | Midwestern State University | C | $21,030 | $239 | $55,747 | 1.3 yrs |
| 410 | Augsburg University Minnesota | C | $25,347 | $288 | $58,829 | 1.3 yrs |
| 411 | University of New Haven Connecticut | C | $27,000 | $307 | $60,126 | 1.3 yrs |
| 412 | Frostburg State University Maryland | C | $21,105 | $240 | $55,493 | 1.3 yrs |
| 413 | The College of Wooster Ohio | C | $26,500 | $301 | $59,629 | 1.3 yrs |
| 414 | Kennesaw State University | C | $23,833 | $271 | $57,552 | 1.3 yrs |
| 415 | Saint Vincent College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $59,982 | 1.3 yrs |
| 416 | Shenandoah University | C | $25,000 | $284 | $58,433 | 1.3 yrs |
| 417 | Simpson College | C | $26,000 | $296 | $59,274 | 1.3 yrs |
| 418 | University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | C | $20,000 | $227 | $54,659 | 1.3 yrs |
| 419 | University of Nebraska, Omaha | C | $19,000 | $216 | $53,909 | 1.3 yrs |
| 420 | Luther College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $59,850 | 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.