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 $57,146 against $22,500 of debt.
| # | University | Grade | You borrow | Monthly | You earn | Debt clears in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 331 | Hamline University Minnesota | C | $23,770 | $270 | $61,106 | 1.1 yrs |
| 332 | Hawaii Pacific University Hawaii | C | $22,000 | $250 | $59,593 | 1.1 yrs |
| 333 | Pacific University Oregon | C | $23,223 | $264 | $60,583 | 1.1 yrs |
| 334 | University of North Texas Texas | C | $19,250 | $219 | $57,010 | 1.1 yrs |
| 335 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Wisconsin | C | $20,909 | $238 | $58,561 | 1.1 yrs |
| 336 | Portland State University Oregon | C | $20,500 | $233 | $57,906 | 1.1 yrs |
| 337 | Mount Mercy University Iowa | C | $23,699 | $269 | $60,787 | 1.1 yrs |
| 338 | Howard Community College Maryland | C | $10,500 | $119 | $49,020 | 1.1 yrs |
| 339 | University of Minnesota - Crookston Minnesota | C | $20,500 | $233 | $58,056 | 1.1 yrs |
| 340 | High Point University North Carolina | C | $24,575 | $279 | $61,389 | 1.1 yrs |
| 341 | King University Tennessee | C | $22,750 | $259 | $59,831 | 1.1 yrs |
| 342 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Michigan | C | $22,500 | $256 | $59,649 | 1.1 yrs |
| 343 | Austin College Texas | C | $24,500 | $279 | $61,296 | 1.1 yrs |
| 344 | College of Saint Benedict Minnesota | C | $26,944 | $306 | $63,260 | 1.1 yrs |
| 345 | Texas Woman's University Texas | C | $19,218 | $219 | $56,544 | 1.1 yrs |
| 346 | Winona State University Minnesota | C | $21,500 | $244 | $58,532 | 1.1 yrs |
| 347 | Valparaiso University Indiana | C | $26,942 | $306 | $63,191 | 1.1 yrs |
| 348 | University of Kentucky Kentucky | C | $22,500 | $256 | $59,025 | 1.2 yrs |
| 349 | University of Alabama Alabama | C | $22,750 | $259 | $59,221 | 1.2 yrs |
| 350 | Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Minnesota | C | $21,500 | $244 | $58,170 | 1.2 yrs |
| 351 | Canisius University New York | C | $24,250 | $276 | $60,681 | 1.2 yrs |
| 352 | Stevenson University Maryland | C | $26,000 | $296 | $62,079 | 1.2 yrs |
| 353 | Long Island University New York | C | $23,577 | $268 | $59,950 | 1.2 yrs |
| 354 | Oklahoma State University Oklahoma | C | $20,500 | $233 | $57,413 | 1.2 yrs |
| 355 | Rider University New Jersey | C | $26,130 | $297 | $62,208 | 1.2 yrs |
| 356 | University of Texas at San Antonio Texas | C | $20,500 | $233 | $57,131 | 1.2 yrs |
| 357 | Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia | C | $21,500 | $244 | $58,128 | 1.2 yrs |
| 358 | Carroll College Montana | C | $25,757 | $293 | $61,772 | 1.2 yrs |
| 359 | Saint Xavier University Illinois | C | $22,223 | $253 | $58,656 | 1.2 yrs |
| 360 | Southern Utah University Utah | C | $12,500 | $142 | $50,296 | 1.2 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.