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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 661 | Chadron State College | D | $18,875 | $215 | $47,002 | 2.5 yrs |
| 662 | Valdosta State University | D | $24,779 | $282 | $49,361 | 2.5 yrs |
| 663 | University of South Alabama Alabama | D | $24,929 | $283 | $49,379 | 2.5 yrs |
| 664 | Portland Community College | D | $12,999 | $148 | $44,592 | 2.6 yrs |
| 665 | Northwest Missouri State University Missouri | D | $21,500 | $244 | $47,885 | 2.6 yrs |
| 666 | University of Advancing Technology | D | $28,812 | $328 | $50,719 | 2.6 yrs |
| 667 | Buena Vista University | D | $25,000 | $284 | $49,156 | 2.6 yrs |
| 668 | Colorado Christian University | D | $28,312 | $322 | $50,416 | 2.6 yrs |
| 669 | University of Memphis Tennessee | D | $23,300 | $265 | $48,458 | 2.6 yrs |
| 670 | The University of North Carolina at Greensboro North Carolina | D | $22,858 | $260 | $48,160 | 2.7 yrs |
| 671 | Delaware State University | D | $26,000 | $296 | $49,307 | 2.7 yrs |
| 672 | Georgia State University | D | $20,903 | $238 | $47,384 | 2.7 yrs |
| 673 | Tuskegee University | D | $27,000 | $307 | $49,641 | 2.7 yrs |
| 674 | Marymount Manhattan College New York | D | $25,750 | $293 | $49,131 | 2.7 yrs |
| 675 | Huntingdon College | D | $27,000 | $307 | $49,601 | 2.7 yrs |
| 676 | Oklahoma Christian University | F | $26,000 | $296 | $49,203 | 2.7 yrs |
| 677 | Fort Lewis College | F | $18,389 | $209 | $46,349 | 2.7 yrs |
| 678 | Indiana State University | F | $24,000 | $273 | $48,387 | 2.7 yrs |
| 679 | Our Lady of the Lake University | F | $24,999 | $284 | $48,675 | 2.7 yrs |
| 680 | Rocky Mountain College | F | $26,000 | $296 | $49,036 | 2.7 yrs |
| 681 | University of Maine Maine | F | $25,000 | $284 | $48,653 | 2.7 yrs |
| 682 | Community College of Baltimore County | F | $11,528 | $131 | $43,729 | 2.7 yrs |
| 683 | University of Maine at Machias | F | $25,000 | $284 | $48,653 | 2.7 yrs |
| 684 | Northern State University | F | $22,320 | $254 | $47,618 | 2.8 yrs |
| 685 | Oklahoma Baptist University | F | $24,801 | $282 | $48,434 | 2.8 yrs |
| 686 | Mercer County Community College | F | $10,500 | $119 | $43,264 | 2.8 yrs |
| 687 | Northern Michigan University Michigan | F | $21,474 | $244 | $47,107 | 2.8 yrs |
| 688 | Lewis-Clark State College Idaho | F | $18,500 | $210 | $46,001 | 2.9 yrs |
| 689 | Fairmont State University West Virginia | F | $21,000 | $239 | $46,857 | 2.9 yrs |
| 690 | Saint Leo University | F | $25,278 | $287 | $48,364 | 2.9 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.