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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 121 | Purdue University Indiana | B | $19,500 | $222 | $72,424 | 0.6 yrs |
| 122 | California State University, Fullerton | B | $13,750 | $156 | $62,951 | 0.6 yrs |
| 123 | California State University, Sacramento | B | $15,000 | $171 | $64,876 | 0.6 yrs |
| 124 | Allen College Iowa | B | $18,750 | $213 | $71,261 | 0.6 yrs |
| 125 | San Diego State University | B | $15,000 | $171 | $64,909 | 0.6 yrs |
| 126 | Dominican University of California California | B | $27,000 | $307 | $84,713 | 0.6 yrs |
| 127 | University of Wisconsin–Madison Wisconsin | B | $20,484 | $233 | $73,792 | 0.6 yrs |
| 128 | Saint Mary's College of California | B | $23,691 | $269 | $78,812 | 0.6 yrs |
| 129 | University at Buffalo New York | B | $19,000 | $216 | $70,814 | 0.6 yrs |
| 130 | Virginia Military Institute | B | $22,996 | $261 | $77,369 | 0.6 yrs |
| 131 | Golden Gate University California | B | $29,875 | $340 | $87,434 | 0.6 yrs |
| 132 | Dickinson College | B | $19,000 | $216 | $70,204 | 0.6 yrs |
| 133 | Gonzaga University | B | $24,454 | $278 | $78,892 | 0.6 yrs |
| 134 | Marquette University | B | $23,940 | $272 | $78,257 | 0.6 yrs |
| 135 | University of California, Riverside | B | $17,500 | $199 | $67,699 | 0.6 yrs |
| 136 | University of Texas at Dallas Texas | B | $18,000 | $205 | $68,227 | 0.6 yrs |
| 137 | Denver College of Nursing Colorado | B | $26,500 | $301 | $81,809 | 0.6 yrs |
| 138 | Occidental College | B | $23,000 | $262 | $75,951 | 0.6 yrs |
| 139 | Sonoma State University | B | $16,705 | $190 | $65,986 | 0.6 yrs |
| 140 | University of Maryland, Baltimore County | B | $19,500 | $222 | $69,960 | 0.6 yrs |
| 141 | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado | B | $19,500 | $222 | $69,738 | 0.7 yrs |
| 142 | Michigan Technological University Michigan | B | $24,990 | $284 | $78,198 | 0.7 yrs |
| 143 | California State University, Monterey Bay | B | $12,750 | $145 | $59,247 | 0.7 yrs |
| 144 | Ohio Northern University | B | $27,000 | $307 | $80,928 | 0.7 yrs |
| 145 | Skidmore College | B | $19,500 | $222 | $69,363 | 0.7 yrs |
| 146 | University of California, Merced | B | $16,144 | $184 | $64,368 | 0.7 yrs |
| 147 | Syracuse University New York | B | $26,000 | $296 | $79,164 | 0.7 yrs |
| 148 | California State University Channel Islands | B | $15,000 | $171 | $62,152 | 0.7 yrs |
| 149 | California State University, Los Angeles | B | $13,000 | $148 | $59,211 | 0.7 yrs |
| 150 | Connecticut College | B | $23,500 | $267 | $75,001 | 0.7 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.