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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 571 | Montana State University - Northern | D | $18,500 | $210 | $49,505 | 1.9 yrs |
| 572 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania | D | $25,000 | $284 | $53,032 | 1.9 yrs |
| 573 | Western Michigan University Michigan | D | $26,188 | $298 | $53,562 | 1.9 yrs |
| 574 | Ashland University | D | $25,000 | $284 | $52,928 | 1.9 yrs |
| 575 | Brenau University | D | $27,000 | $307 | $54,003 | 1.9 yrs |
| 576 | Beloit College | D | $25,738 | $293 | $53,260 | 1.9 yrs |
| 577 | Bridgewater College | D | $26,000 | $296 | $53,453 | 1.9 yrs |
| 578 | Millsaps College | D | $27,000 | $307 | $53,848 | 1.9 yrs |
| 579 | Lindenwood University | D | $26,000 | $296 | $53,278 | 1.9 yrs |
| 580 | Angelo State University | D | $20,000 | $227 | $50,116 | 1.9 yrs |
| 581 | Ball State University | D | $23,250 | $264 | $51,833 | 1.9 yrs |
| 582 | Upper Iowa University | D | $25,000 | $284 | $52,766 | 1.9 yrs |
| 583 | Andrews University | D | $26,000 | $296 | $53,187 | 1.9 yrs |
| 584 | Dakota Wesleyan University | D | $27,000 | $307 | $53,728 | 1.9 yrs |
| 585 | University of South Dakota | D | $23,592 | $268 | $51,926 | 1.9 yrs |
| 586 | Xavier University of Louisiana | D | $24,053 | $273 | $52,184 | 1.9 yrs |
| 587 | University of Indianapolis | D | $26,864 | $305 | $53,610 | 1.9 yrs |
| 588 | Eureka College Illinois | D | $23,250 | $264 | $51,641 | 1.9 yrs |
| 589 | Sarah Lawrence College | D | $27,000 | $307 | $53,603 | 1.9 yrs |
| 590 | Stetson University | D | $23,250 | $264 | $51,642 | 1.9 yrs |
| 591 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville | D | $22,934 | $261 | $51,450 | 1.9 yrs |
| 592 | Goucher College | D | $26,000 | $296 | $53,023 | 1.9 yrs |
| 593 | Harford Community College | D | $9,812 | $112 | $44,608 | 1.9 yrs |
| 594 | Antioch University | D | $23,501 | $267 | $51,541 | 2 yrs |
| 595 | Antioch University - Los Angeles | D | $23,501 | $267 | $51,541 | 2 yrs |
| 596 | Antioch University - Seattle | D | $23,501 | $267 | $51,541 | 2 yrs |
| 597 | Longwood University | D | $25,000 | $284 | $52,347 | 2 yrs |
| 598 | Southern New Hampshire University | D | $21,082 | $240 | $50,318 | 2 yrs |
| 599 | Illinois College Illinois | D | $25,565 | $291 | $52,575 | 2 yrs |
| 600 | University of Mount Union Ohio | D | $27,000 | $307 | $53,217 | 2 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.