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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 751 | Southeast Missouri State University | F | $21,500 | $244 | $44,030 | 4.8 yrs |
| 752 | University of Southern Mississippi Mississippi | F | $22,500 | $256 | $44,140 | 4.9 yrs |
| 753 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | F | $23,548 | $268 | $44,349 | 4.9 yrs |
| 754 | Regent University | F | $24,534 | $279 | $44,498 | 4.9 yrs |
| 755 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | F | $13,562 | $154 | $42,244 | 5 yrs |
| 756 | University of Maine at Farmington | F | $24,499 | $279 | $44,433 | 5 yrs |
| 757 | Gallaudet University | F | $18,000 | $205 | $43,101 | 5 yrs |
| 758 | Western Kentucky University | F | $22,095 | $251 | $43,889 | 5.1 yrs |
| 759 | Auburn University at Montgomery Alabama | F | $25,000 | $284 | $44,391 | 5.1 yrs |
| 760 | Columbus State University | F | $26,000 | $296 | $44,544 | 5.2 yrs |
| 761 | Hagerstown Community College | F | $11,000 | $125 | $41,615 | 5.3 yrs |
| 762 | University of the District of Columbia | F | $24,872 | $283 | $44,236 | 5.3 yrs |
| 763 | University of West Alabama | F | $24,944 | $284 | $44,232 | 5.3 yrs |
| 764 | Bethany College | F | $27,000 | $307 | $44,512 | 5.4 yrs |
| 765 | St. Petersburg College | F | $16,868 | $192 | $42,557 | 5.6 yrs |
| 766 | Capella University | F | $14,968 | $170 | $42,189 | 5.6 yrs |
| 767 | Norfolk State University | F | $29,000 | $330 | $44,666 | 5.6 yrs |
| 768 | Prescott College | F | $16,300 | $185 | $42,359 | 5.7 yrs |
| 769 | Southwest Baptist University | F | $20,957 | $238 | $43,112 | 5.8 yrs |
| 770 | ECPI University | F | $20,000 | $227 | $42,837 | 6 yrs |
| 771 | Morehead State University | F | $22,250 | $253 | $43,197 | 6.1 yrs |
| 772 | Walden University Minnesota | F | $20,834 | $237 | $42,810 | 6.3 yrs |
| 773 | The University of North Carolina at Pembroke | F | $25,000 | $284 | $43,407 | 6.4 yrs |
| 774 | Southern Arkansas University Arkansas | F | $18,750 | $213 | $42,386 | 6.5 yrs |
| 775 | Arkansas State University | F | $20,500 | $233 | $42,617 | 6.6 yrs |
| 776 | Sul Ross State University | F | $15,900 | $181 | $41,871 | 6.8 yrs |
| 777 | Davis & Elkins College | F | $27,000 | $307 | $43,411 | 6.9 yrs |
| 778 | Louisiana State University at Alexandria | F | $19,000 | $216 | $42,205 | 7.1 yrs |
| 779 | Florida Institute of Technology | F | $27,000 | $307 | $43,137 | 7.5 yrs |
| 780 | Stephens College | F | $27,000 | $307 | $43,071 | 7.6 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.