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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 721 | Evergreen State College | F | $20,500 | $233 | $45,320 | 3.5 yrs |
| 722 | Huntington University | F | $25,576 | $291 | $46,672 | 3.6 yrs |
| 723 | Coppin State University | F | $25,000 | $284 | $46,490 | 3.6 yrs |
| 724 | Eastern Kentucky University | F | $22,500 | $256 | $45,795 | 3.6 yrs |
| 725 | Black Hills State University | F | $26,000 | $296 | $46,674 | 3.6 yrs |
| 726 | Hampshire College | F | $26,893 | $306 | $46,938 | 3.6 yrs |
| 727 | East Tennessee State University Tennessee | F | $19,442 | $221 | $44,859 | 3.6 yrs |
| 728 | Oral Roberts University | F | $27,000 | $307 | $46,885 | 3.7 yrs |
| 729 | Belhaven University Mississippi | F | $26,333 | $299 | $46,440 | 3.8 yrs |
| 730 | Montana State University - Billings | F | $18,209 | $207 | $44,296 | 3.8 yrs |
| 731 | Nicholls State University | F | $22,675 | $258 | $45,454 | 3.8 yrs |
| 732 | University of Arkansas - Little Rock | F | $22,000 | $250 | $45,265 | 3.8 yrs |
| 733 | Jacksonville State University | F | $22,189 | $252 | $45,235 | 3.9 yrs |
| 734 | Murray State University Kentucky | F | $20,500 | $233 | $44,737 | 3.9 yrs |
| 735 | Indiana University at South Bend | F | $21,355 | $243 | $44,947 | 3.9 yrs |
| 736 | University of South Carolina - Aiken | F | $24,275 | $276 | $45,603 | 4 yrs |
| 737 | Point Park University Pennsylvania | F | $27,000 | $307 | $45,856 | 4.3 yrs |
| 738 | University of the Ozarks | F | $20,875 | $237 | $44,384 | 4.3 yrs |
| 739 | Austin Peay State University | F | $20,547 | $234 | $44,301 | 4.3 yrs |
| 740 | Virginia State University | F | $26,500 | $301 | $45,543 | 4.4 yrs |
| 741 | Thomas College | F | $24,250 | $276 | $44,991 | 4.4 yrs |
| 742 | American Public University System | F | $21,743 | $247 | $44,409 | 4.5 yrs |
| 743 | University of Tennessee, Martin | F | $21,024 | $239 | $44,213 | 4.5 yrs |
| 744 | University of Montana | F | $22,400 | $255 | $44,511 | 4.5 yrs |
| 745 | Fisk University | F | $27,000 | $307 | $45,454 | 4.6 yrs |
| 746 | University of North Carolina at Asheville | F | $20,500 | $233 | $44,030 | 4.6 yrs |
| 747 | Lyon College | F | $21,500 | $244 | $44,232 | 4.6 yrs |
| 748 | Montreat College | F | $25,813 | $293 | $45,151 | 4.6 yrs |
| 749 | Liberty University | F | $24,500 | $279 | $44,813 | 4.6 yrs |
| 750 | Davenport University Michigan | F | $26,000 | $296 | $45,099 | 4.7 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.