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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 601 | The Culinary Institute of America | D | $15,750 | $179 | $47,475 | 2 yrs |
| 602 | Alverno College | D | $27,000 | $307 | $53,145 | 2 yrs |
| 603 | American International College | D | $27,000 | $307 | $53,124 | 2 yrs |
| 604 | Harding University | D | $26,500 | $301 | $52,876 | 2 yrs |
| 605 | Friends University | D | $25,000 | $284 | $52,113 | 2 yrs |
| 606 | Kansas Wesleyan University Kansas | D | $23,250 | $264 | $51,152 | 2 yrs |
| 607 | University of Toledo | D | $22,250 | $253 | $50,632 | 2 yrs |
| 608 | Saginaw Valley State University Michigan | D | $25,000 | $284 | $51,955 | 2 yrs |
| 609 | New College of Florida | D | $17,375 | $198 | $48,082 | 2 yrs |
| 610 | Webster University | D | $23,000 | $262 | $50,876 | 2 yrs |
| 611 | Eastern Michigan University Michigan | D | $25,000 | $284 | $51,793 | 2 yrs |
| 612 | Georgia Southwestern State University | D | $18,851 | $214 | $48,757 | 2 yrs |
| 613 | Florida Southwestern State College Florida | D | $8,000 | $91 | $43,421 | 2.1 yrs |
| 614 | Dakota State University | D | $23,500 | $267 | $50,970 | 2.1 yrs |
| 615 | Midland University Nebraska | D | $26,134 | $297 | $52,163 | 2.1 yrs |
| 616 | Columbia Basin College | D | $14,829 | $169 | $46,680 | 2.1 yrs |
| 617 | Earlham College | D | $23,488 | $267 | $50,797 | 2.1 yrs |
| 618 | Meredith College | D | $25,000 | $284 | $51,539 | 2.1 yrs |
| 619 | University of Central Missouri | D | $21,000 | $239 | $49,560 | 2.1 yrs |
| 620 | LaGrange College | D | $25,730 | $293 | $51,745 | 2.1 yrs |
| 621 | Lamar University | D | $21,250 | $242 | $49,652 | 2.1 yrs |
| 622 | University of Alaska - Southeast | D | $19,111 | $217 | $48,475 | 2.1 yrs |
| 623 | Northern Kentucky University Kentucky | D | $23,000 | $262 | $50,220 | 2.2 yrs |
| 624 | Pfeiffer University North Carolina | D | $26,163 | $297 | $51,562 | 2.2 yrs |
| 625 | Sweet Briar College | D | $27,000 | $307 | $51,943 | 2.2 yrs |
| 626 | University of Alaska - Fairbanks | D | $20,291 | $231 | $48,866 | 2.2 yrs |
| 627 | Western Carolina University North Carolina | D | $21,868 | $249 | $49,458 | 2.2 yrs |
| 628 | Quincy University | D | $24,000 | $273 | $50,369 | 2.2 yrs |
| 629 | University of Dubuque | D | $25,750 | $293 | $51,190 | 2.2 yrs |
| 630 | Middle Tennessee State University | D | $20,000 | $227 | $48,541 | 2.2 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.