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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 481 | Coe College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $57,125 | 1.5 yrs |
| 482 | Marietta College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $57,180 | 1.5 yrs |
| 483 | Niagara University | C | $25,475 | $290 | $56,196 | 1.5 yrs |
| 484 | University of New England | C | $25,250 | $287 | $55,921 | 1.5 yrs |
| 485 | Valley City State University | C | $20,369 | $232 | $52,725 | 1.5 yrs |
| 486 | Juniata College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $56,918 | 1.6 yrs |
| 487 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | C | $21,543 | $245 | $53,390 | 1.6 yrs |
| 488 | University of Sioux Falls | C | $23,249 | $264 | $54,521 | 1.6 yrs |
| 489 | Old Dominion University | C | $24,000 | $273 | $54,914 | 1.6 yrs |
| 490 | University of the Incarnate Word | C | $27,000 | $307 | $56,733 | 1.6 yrs |
| 491 | University of Texas at El Paso Texas | C | $18,000 | $205 | $50,923 | 1.6 yrs |
| 492 | University of Jamestown | C | $27,000 | $307 | $56,621 | 1.6 yrs |
| 493 | Agnes Scott College | C | $26,749 | $304 | $56,274 | 1.6 yrs |
| 494 | Lawrence University | C | $26,000 | $296 | $55,789 | 1.6 yrs |
| 495 | Minot State University | C | $19,609 | $223 | $51,759 | 1.6 yrs |
| 496 | Marywood University Pennsylvania | C | $26,186 | $298 | $55,817 | 1.6 yrs |
| 497 | Ohio University Ohio | C | $21,056 | $239 | $52,581 | 1.6 yrs |
| 498 | University of Northern Colorado Colorado | C | $20,470 | $233 | $52,231 | 1.6 yrs |
| 499 | Georgian Court University | C | $21,816 | $248 | $53,096 | 1.6 yrs |
| 500 | Eastern Mennonite University Virginia | C | $24,813 | $282 | $54,869 | 1.6 yrs |
| 501 | Wartburg College Iowa | C | $27,000 | $307 | $56,201 | 1.6 yrs |
| 502 | Lycoming College | C | $27,000 | $307 | $56,210 | 1.6 yrs |
| 503 | Taylor University | C | $20,500 | $233 | $52,198 | 1.6 yrs |
| 504 | Montana State University Montana | C | $22,500 | $256 | $53,263 | 1.6 yrs |
| 505 | Appalachian State University | C | $20,231 | $230 | $51,836 | 1.6 yrs |
| 506 | Barry University | C | $26,997 | $307 | $55,966 | 1.6 yrs |
| 507 | Tabor College | C | $23,887 | $272 | $54,058 | 1.6 yrs |
| 508 | University of Alaska - Anchorage | C | $20,210 | $230 | $51,871 | 1.6 yrs |
| 509 | Central Michigan University | C | $27,000 | $307 | $55,874 | 1.7 yrs |
| 510 | Dickinson State University | C | $18,442 | $210 | $50,720 | 1.7 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.