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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241 | University of Nevada, Reno | B | $18,922 | $215 | $60,614 | 0.9 yrs |
| 242 | Weber State University | B | $15,113 | $172 | $56,287 | 0.9 yrs |
| 243 | University of Vermont Vermont | B | $20,951 | $238 | $62,472 | 0.9 yrs |
| 244 | University of La Verne | B | $23,500 | $267 | $65,464 | 0.9 yrs |
| 245 | Illinois State University | B | $20,482 | $233 | $62,117 | 0.9 yrs |
| 246 | Lawrence Technological University | B | $27,000 | $307 | $69,151 | 0.9 yrs |
| 247 | University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Pennsylvania | B | $24,250 | $276 | $66,125 | 0.9 yrs |
| 248 | University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Pennsylvania | B | $24,250 | $276 | $66,125 | 0.9 yrs |
| 249 | University of North Dakota North Dakota | B | $22,057 | $251 | $63,552 | 0.9 yrs |
| 250 | University of Oregon Oregon | B | $20,139 | $229 | $61,324 | 0.9 yrs |
| 251 | University of North Florida Florida | B | $15,531 | $177 | $56,343 | 0.9 yrs |
| 252 | Xavier University | B | $23,250 | $264 | $64,873 | 0.9 yrs |
| 253 | Utah Valley University Utah | B | $14,750 | $168 | $55,486 | 0.9 yrs |
| 254 | Bellevue University | B | $20,000 | $227 | $61,289 | 0.9 yrs |
| 255 | Denison University | B | $26,000 | $296 | $67,753 | 0.9 yrs |
| 256 | Hampden-Sydney College | B | $26,000 | $296 | $67,640 | 0.9 yrs |
| 257 | Hobart and William Smith Colleges | B | $27,000 | $307 | $68,831 | 0.9 yrs |
| 258 | Mount Saint Mary College | B | $26,007 | $296 | $67,705 | 0.9 yrs |
| 259 | Reed College | B | $21,500 | $244 | $62,927 | 0.9 yrs |
| 260 | Westmont College | B | $23,250 | $264 | $64,778 | 0.9 yrs |
| 261 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Missouri | B | $18,750 | $213 | $59,637 | 0.9 yrs |
| 262 | Goldey-Beacom College | B | $18,900 | $215 | $59,892 | 0.9 yrs |
| 263 | University of Massachusetts at Lowell | B | $23,704 | $270 | $64,874 | 0.9 yrs |
| 264 | Texas Tech University Texas | B | $21,500 | $244 | $62,454 | 0.9 yrs |
| 265 | Benedictine University Illinois | B | $22,500 | $256 | $63,446 | 0.9 yrs |
| 266 | University of Kansas Kansas | B | $21,000 | $239 | $61,945 | 0.9 yrs |
| 267 | Emmanuel College | B | $27,000 | $307 | $68,245 | 0.9 yrs |
| 268 | Macalester College | B | $23,000 | $262 | $63,878 | 0.9 yrs |
| 269 | Salisbury University Maryland | B | $21,000 | $239 | $61,515 | 1 yrs |
| 270 | Washington & Jefferson College | B | $27,000 | $307 | $67,918 | 1 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.