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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 451 | Randolph-Macon College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $58,448 | 1.4 yrs |
| 452 | Southern Connecticut State University | C | $22,250 | $253 | $55,043 | 1.4 yrs |
| 453 | University of Louisville | C | $20,500 | $233 | $53,899 | 1.4 yrs |
| 454 | Keuka College New York | C | $27,000 | $307 | $58,289 | 1.4 yrs |
| 455 | Southwestern University | C | $25,000 | $284 | $56,878 | 1.4 yrs |
| 456 | Tarleton State University Texas | C | $19,606 | $223 | $53,040 | 1.5 yrs |
| 457 | University of Idaho | C | $21,982 | $250 | $54,670 | 1.5 yrs |
| 458 | University of Findlay Ohio | C | $25,439 | $289 | $56,996 | 1.5 yrs |
| 459 | Rockford University Illinois | C | $22,274 | $253 | $54,794 | 1.5 yrs |
| 460 | Campbell University | C | $22,500 | $256 | $54,886 | 1.5 yrs |
| 461 | East Carolina University | C | $22,750 | $259 | $55,146 | 1.5 yrs |
| 462 | Plymouth State University New Hampshire | C | $26,000 | $296 | $57,304 | 1.5 yrs |
| 463 | Roanoke College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $58,047 | 1.5 yrs |
| 464 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater | C | $23,188 | $264 | $55,356 | 1.5 yrs |
| 465 | St. Bonaventure University | C | $26,000 | $296 | $57,214 | 1.5 yrs |
| 466 | Grand Valley State University Michigan | C | $24,500 | $279 | $56,118 | 1.5 yrs |
| 467 | John Brown University | C | $21,250 | $242 | $53,907 | 1.5 yrs |
| 468 | LeTourneau University | C | $26,000 | $296 | $57,103 | 1.5 yrs |
| 469 | Carthage College | C | $26,000 | $296 | $56,950 | 1.5 yrs |
| 470 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania | C | $23,507 | $267 | $55,246 | 1.5 yrs |
| 471 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania | C | $25,000 | $284 | $56,351 | 1.5 yrs |
| 472 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | C | $22,300 | $254 | $54,501 | 1.5 yrs |
| 473 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | C | $23,000 | $262 | $54,990 | 1.5 yrs |
| 474 | Abilene Christian University | C | $24,250 | $276 | $55,736 | 1.5 yrs |
| 475 | Christian Brothers University | C | $27,000 | $307 | $57,478 | 1.5 yrs |
| 476 | Hesston College | C | $12,000 | $136 | $47,495 | 1.5 yrs |
| 477 | Sam Houston State University | C | $21,983 | $250 | $54,211 | 1.5 yrs |
| 478 | South Dakota State University | C | $23,250 | $264 | $55,070 | 1.5 yrs |
| 479 | Wayne State University | C | $21,250 | $242 | $53,493 | 1.5 yrs |
| 480 | Bowie State University | C | $22,985 | $261 | $54,537 | 1.5 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.