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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 511 | University of North Georgia | C | $17,750 | $202 | $50,135 | 1.7 yrs |
| 512 | University of Minnesota - Morris | C | $18,995 | $216 | $50,919 | 1.7 yrs |
| 513 | Ohio Wesleyan University Ohio | C | $27,000 | $307 | $55,624 | 1.7 yrs |
| 514 | Athens State University | C | $18,051 | $205 | $50,273 | 1.7 yrs |
| 515 | Curry College | C | $25,000 | $284 | $54,400 | 1.7 yrs |
| 516 | Franklin University | C | $20,836 | $237 | $51,892 | 1.7 yrs |
| 517 | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | C | $19,500 | $222 | $51,151 | 1.7 yrs |
| 518 | Boise State University Idaho | D | $20,500 | $233 | $51,658 | 1.7 yrs |
| 519 | Radford University Virginia | D | $24,000 | $273 | $53,739 | 1.7 yrs |
| 520 | Alfred University | D | $26,000 | $296 | $54,897 | 1.7 yrs |
| 521 | Georgia Southern University Georgia | D | $23,250 | $264 | $53,236 | 1.7 yrs |
| 522 | Wichita State University Kansas | D | $20,500 | $233 | $51,532 | 1.7 yrs |
| 523 | Pittsburg State University Kansas | D | $18,969 | $216 | $50,579 | 1.7 yrs |
| 524 | Wisconsin Lutheran College | D | $26,000 | $296 | $54,664 | 1.7 yrs |
| 525 | Eastern Illinois University | D | $21,500 | $244 | $51,989 | 1.7 yrs |
| 526 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | D | $21,503 | $244 | $52,021 | 1.7 yrs |
| 527 | Western Illinois University | D | $25,251 | $287 | $54,163 | 1.7 yrs |
| 528 | Cleveland State University | D | $21,797 | $248 | $52,131 | 1.7 yrs |
| 529 | Keene State College | D | $25,749 | $293 | $54,368 | 1.7 yrs |
| 530 | Louisiana Tech University | D | $22,135 | $252 | $52,279 | 1.7 yrs |
| 531 | Southwest Minnesota State University | D | $20,500 | $233 | $51,342 | 1.7 yrs |
| 532 | University of Evansville | D | $24,606 | $280 | $53,770 | 1.7 yrs |
| 533 | University of West Florida | D | $16,624 | $189 | $49,137 | 1.7 yrs |
| 534 | Tennessee Technological University Tennessee | D | $15,650 | $178 | $48,501 | 1.7 yrs |
| 535 | Alvernia University Pennsylvania | D | $27,000 | $307 | $55,055 | 1.7 yrs |
| 536 | University of Mississippi Mississippi | D | $20,000 | $227 | $50,994 | 1.7 yrs |
| 537 | University of Mississippi Medical Center | D | $20,000 | $227 | $50,994 | 1.7 yrs |
| 538 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | D | $20,160 | $229 | $51,077 | 1.7 yrs |
| 539 | Hanover College Indiana | D | $25,250 | $287 | $53,957 | 1.8 yrs |
| 540 | East Texas Baptist University TX | D | $23,250 | $264 | $52,788 | 1.8 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.