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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 691 | Peru State College | F | $21,875 | $249 | $47,071 | 2.9 yrs |
| 692 | McMurry University | F | $27,000 | $307 | $48,779 | 2.9 yrs |
| 693 | Palm Beach State College | F | $7,081 | $81 | $41,923 | 3 yrs |
| 694 | Northeastern State University | F | $17,367 | $197 | $45,379 | 3 yrs |
| 695 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | F | $21,500 | $244 | $46,769 | 3 yrs |
| 696 | Bowling Green State University | F | $25,000 | $284 | $47,896 | 3 yrs |
| 697 | Coastal Carolina University | F | $23,750 | $270 | $47,258 | 3.1 yrs |
| 698 | Broward College | F | $7,500 | $85 | $41,939 | 3.1 yrs |
| 699 | National-Louis University | F | $19,750 | $225 | $45,799 | 3.2 yrs |
| 700 | Newberry College | F | $26,805 | $305 | $48,040 | 3.2 yrs |
| 701 | University of Central Arkansas Arkansas | F | $20,346 | $231 | $45,938 | 3.2 yrs |
| 702 | Seattle Central College | F | $12,000 | $136 | $43,307 | 3.2 yrs |
| 703 | Southeastern Louisiana University Louisiana | F | $22,113 | $251 | $46,482 | 3.2 yrs |
| 704 | Mercyhurst University Pennsylvania | F | $25,305 | $288 | $47,452 | 3.2 yrs |
| 705 | Guilford College | F | $26,000 | $296 | $47,590 | 3.2 yrs |
| 706 | East Central University | F | $17,671 | $201 | $44,962 | 3.3 yrs |
| 707 | University of Akron | F | $23,250 | $264 | $46,600 | 3.3 yrs |
| 708 | Idaho State University Idaho | F | $20,039 | $228 | $45,608 | 3.3 yrs |
| 709 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | F | $27,000 | $307 | $47,697 | 3.3 yrs |
| 710 | McNeese State University | F | $23,000 | $262 | $46,453 | 3.3 yrs |
| 711 | Indiana Institute of Technology | F | $26,391 | $300 | $47,327 | 3.4 yrs |
| 712 | Purdue University Fort Wayne IN | F | $21,500 | $244 | $45,872 | 3.4 yrs |
| 713 | Marshall University | F | $23,250 | $264 | $46,354 | 3.4 yrs |
| 714 | Bethel University | F | $27,249 | $310 | $47,482 | 3.4 yrs |
| 715 | Bob Jones University | F | $16,585 | $189 | $44,354 | 3.4 yrs |
| 716 | Bard College New York | F | $24,254 | $276 | $46,543 | 3.5 yrs |
| 717 | Colorado Mesa University | F | $22,000 | $250 | $45,823 | 3.5 yrs |
| 718 | University of New Mexico New Mexico | F | $18,450 | $210 | $44,792 | 3.5 yrs |
| 719 | Young Harris College | F | $27,000 | $307 | $47,195 | 3.5 yrs |
| 720 | Winthrop University | F | $26,975 | $307 | $47,185 | 3.5 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.