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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 391 | Spelman College Georgia | C | $25,000 | $284 | $59,993 | 1.2 yrs |
| 392 | University of Tampa Florida | C | $24,211 | $275 | $59,436 | 1.2 yrs |
| 393 | Anne Arundel Community College Maryland | C | $8,250 | $94 | $46,219 | 1.2 yrs |
| 394 | Nova Southeastern University Florida | C | $24,250 | $276 | $59,209 | 1.2 yrs |
| 395 | University of Dallas Texas | C | $23,117 | $263 | $58,285 | 1.2 yrs |
| 396 | Western Connecticut State University Connecticut | C | $24,147 | $275 | $59,115 | 1.2 yrs |
| 397 | Saint Michael's College Vermont | C | $26,922 | $306 | $61,317 | 1.2 yrs |
| 398 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Wisconsin | C | $23,000 | $262 | $58,084 | 1.2 yrs |
| 399 | Willamette University Oregon | C | $21,500 | $244 | $56,911 | 1.2 yrs |
| 400 | William Jewell College Missouri | C | $24,498 | $279 | $59,268 | 1.2 yrs |
| 401 | Belmont University Tennessee | C | $20,500 | $233 | $55,930 | 1.3 yrs |
| 402 | Dallas Baptist University Texas | C | $21,591 | $245 | $56,807 | 1.3 yrs |
| 403 | Hartwick College New York | C | $27,000 | $307 | $61,107 | 1.3 yrs |
| 404 | Truman State University Missouri | C | $21,000 | $239 | $56,280 | 1.3 yrs |
| 405 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas Nevada | C | $19,450 | $221 | $55,037 | 1.3 yrs |
| 406 | Whittier College California | C | $24,937 | $284 | $59,492 | 1.3 yrs |
| 407 | Presbyterian College South Carolina | C | $26,000 | $296 | $60,194 | 1.3 yrs |
| 408 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh New York | C | $21,196 | $241 | $56,403 | 1.3 yrs |
| 409 | University of North Carolina at Wilmington North Carolina | C | $19,500 | $222 | $54,967 | 1.3 yrs |
| 410 | University of Northern Iowa Iowa | C | $19,691 | $224 | $55,177 | 1.3 yrs |
| 411 | University of Hartford Connecticut | C | $27,000 | $307 | $60,823 | 1.3 yrs |
| 412 | Augustana University South Dakota | C | $25,000 | $284 | $59,217 | 1.3 yrs |
| 413 | Northern Arizona University Arizona | C | $19,000 | $216 | $54,384 | 1.3 yrs |
| 414 | The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Texas | C | $12,950 | $147 | $49,620 | 1.3 yrs |
| 415 | Hendrix College Arkansas | C | $26,688 | $303 | $60,376 | 1.3 yrs |
| 416 | Mercer University Georgia | C | $24,199 | $275 | $58,354 | 1.3 yrs |
| 417 | Saint Edward's University Texas | C | $24,803 | $282 | $58,826 | 1.3 yrs |
| 418 | Park University Missouri | C | $21,685 | $247 | $56,309 | 1.3 yrs |
| 419 | Saint Cloud State University Minnesota | C | $21,058 | $239 | $55,813 | 1.3 yrs |
| 420 | Hampton University Virginia | C | $25,442 | $289 | $59,159 | 1.3 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.