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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 751 | University of South Carolina - Aiken South Carolina | F | $24,275 | $276 | $45,603 | 4 yrs |
| 752 | Point Park University Pennsylvania | F | $27,000 | $307 | $45,856 | 4.3 yrs |
| 753 | University of the Ozarks Arkansas | F | $20,875 | $237 | $44,384 | 4.3 yrs |
| 754 | Austin Peay State University Tennessee | F | $20,547 | $234 | $44,301 | 4.3 yrs |
| 755 | Virginia State University Virginia | F | $26,500 | $301 | $45,543 | 4.4 yrs |
| 756 | Thomas College Maine | F | $24,250 | $276 | $44,991 | 4.4 yrs |
| 757 | American Public University System West Virginia | F | $21,743 | $247 | $44,409 | 4.5 yrs |
| 758 | University of Tennessee, Martin Tennessee | F | $21,024 | $239 | $44,213 | 4.5 yrs |
| 759 | University of Montana Montana | F | $22,400 | $255 | $44,511 | 4.5 yrs |
| 760 | Fisk University Tennessee | F | $27,000 | $307 | $45,454 | 4.6 yrs |
| 761 | University of North Carolina at Asheville North Carolina | F | $20,500 | $233 | $44,030 | 4.6 yrs |
| 762 | Lyon College Arkansas | F | $21,500 | $244 | $44,232 | 4.6 yrs |
| 763 | Montreat College North Carolina | F | $25,813 | $293 | $45,151 | 4.6 yrs |
| 764 | Liberty University Virginia | F | $24,500 | $279 | $44,813 | 4.6 yrs |
| 765 | Davenport University Michigan | F | $26,000 | $296 | $45,099 | 4.7 yrs |
| 766 | Southeast Missouri State University Missouri | F | $21,500 | $244 | $44,030 | 4.8 yrs |
| 767 | University of Southern Mississippi Mississippi | F | $22,500 | $256 | $44,140 | 4.9 yrs |
| 768 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Florida | F | $23,548 | $268 | $44,349 | 4.9 yrs |
| 769 | Regent University Virginia | F | $24,534 | $279 | $44,498 | 4.9 yrs |
| 770 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Florida | F | $13,562 | $154 | $42,244 | 5 yrs |
| 771 | University of Maine at Farmington Maine | F | $24,499 | $279 | $44,433 | 5 yrs |
| 772 | Gallaudet University District of Columbia | F | $18,000 | $205 | $43,101 | 5 yrs |
| 773 | Western Kentucky University Kentucky | F | $22,095 | $251 | $43,889 | 5.1 yrs |
| 774 | Auburn University at Montgomery Alabama | F | $25,000 | $284 | $44,391 | 5.1 yrs |
| 775 | Columbus State University Georgia | F | $26,000 | $296 | $44,544 | 5.2 yrs |
| 776 | Hagerstown Community College Maryland | F | $11,000 | $125 | $41,615 | 5.3 yrs |
| 777 | University of the District of Columbia District of Columbia | F | $24,872 | $283 | $44,236 | 5.3 yrs |
| 778 | University of West Alabama Alabama | F | $24,944 | $284 | $44,232 | 5.3 yrs |
| 779 | Bethany College West Virginia | F | $27,000 | $307 | $44,512 | 5.4 yrs |
| 780 | St. Petersburg College Florida | F | $16,868 | $192 | $42,557 | 5.6 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.