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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181 | University of Delaware Delaware | B | $24,572 | $279 | $72,950 | 0.7 yrs |
| 182 | California Lutheran University | B | $21,669 | $246 | $68,712 | 0.7 yrs |
| 183 | California State University, San Marcos | B | $17,350 | $197 | $62,908 | 0.7 yrs |
| 184 | Seton Hall University | B | $22,750 | $259 | $70,196 | 0.7 yrs |
| 185 | Texas Christian University | B | $21,500 | $244 | $68,424 | 0.7 yrs |
| 186 | University of Detroit Mercy | B | $23,250 | $264 | $71,030 | 0.7 yrs |
| 187 | University of Texas at Arlington | B | $17,527 | $199 | $63,199 | 0.7 yrs |
| 188 | Pace University New York | B | $23,250 | $264 | $70,378 | 0.8 yrs |
| 189 | Ramapo College of New Jersey New Jersey | B | $21,000 | $239 | $67,541 | 0.8 yrs |
| 190 | Loyola University Chicago Illinois | B | $24,157 | $275 | $71,530 | 0.8 yrs |
| 191 | Brigham Young University Hawaii | B | $9,413 | $107 | $52,064 | 0.8 yrs |
| 192 | Duquesne University | B | $26,244 | $298 | $74,742 | 0.8 yrs |
| 193 | Grinnell College | B | $17,500 | $199 | $62,830 | 0.8 yrs |
| 194 | Towson University | B | $18,718 | $213 | $64,390 | 0.8 yrs |
| 195 | New York Institute of Technology New York | B | $23,334 | $265 | $70,080 | 0.8 yrs |
| 196 | Western New England University | B | $25,500 | $290 | $73,157 | 0.8 yrs |
| 197 | Catholic University of America | B | $26,000 | $296 | $73,250 | 0.8 yrs |
| 198 | Jacksonville University | B | $22,000 | $250 | $68,010 | 0.8 yrs |
| 199 | Regis University | B | $25,000 | $284 | $72,105 | 0.8 yrs |
| 200 | University of Scranton | B | $27,000 | $307 | $74,652 | 0.8 yrs |
| 201 | California State University, Dominguez Hills | B | $13,807 | $157 | $57,162 | 0.8 yrs |
| 202 | University of Redlands | B | $26,000 | $296 | $72,690 | 0.8 yrs |
| 203 | Ursinus College Pennsylvania | B | $27,000 | $307 | $73,721 | 0.8 yrs |
| 204 | DePaul University | B | $23,168 | $263 | $68,751 | 0.8 yrs |
| 205 | University of Houston Texas | B | $18,194 | $207 | $62,377 | 0.8 yrs |
| 206 | Florida International University Florida | B | $16,500 | $188 | $60,249 | 0.8 yrs |
| 207 | Saint Louis University Missouri | B | $25,000 | $284 | $70,783 | 0.8 yrs |
| 208 | Furman University | B | $23,250 | $264 | $68,635 | 0.8 yrs |
| 209 | Hofstra University | B | $23,621 | $269 | $69,039 | 0.8 yrs |
| 210 | Rhodes College | B | $21,761 | $247 | $66,651 | 0.8 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.