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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181 | Colorado College Colorado | B | $18,257 | $208 | $65,222 | 0.7 yrs |
| 182 | Drake University Iowa | B | $23,000 | $262 | $71,901 | 0.7 yrs |
| 183 | Rochester Institute of Technology New York | B | $26,778 | $304 | $76,571 | 0.7 yrs |
| 184 | Wagner College New York | B | $25,000 | $284 | $74,360 | 0.7 yrs |
| 185 | California State University, San Bernardino California | B | $14,715 | $167 | $59,977 | 0.7 yrs |
| 186 | Smith College Massachusetts | B | $17,550 | $200 | $64,027 | 0.7 yrs |
| 187 | Creighton University Nebraska | B | $25,000 | $284 | $73,911 | 0.7 yrs |
| 188 | University of Delaware Delaware | B | $24,572 | $279 | $72,950 | 0.7 yrs |
| 189 | California Lutheran University California | B | $21,669 | $246 | $68,712 | 0.7 yrs |
| 190 | California State University, San Marcos California | B | $17,350 | $197 | $62,908 | 0.7 yrs |
| 191 | Seton Hall University New Jersey | B | $22,750 | $259 | $70,196 | 0.7 yrs |
| 192 | Texas Christian University Texas | B | $21,500 | $244 | $68,424 | 0.7 yrs |
| 193 | University of Detroit Mercy Michigan | B | $23,250 | $264 | $71,030 | 0.7 yrs |
| 194 | University of Texas at Arlington Texas | B | $17,527 | $199 | $63,199 | 0.7 yrs |
| 195 | Pace University New York | B | $23,250 | $264 | $70,378 | 0.8 yrs |
| 196 | Ramapo College of New Jersey New Jersey | B | $21,000 | $239 | $67,541 | 0.8 yrs |
| 197 | Loyola University Chicago Illinois | B | $24,157 | $275 | $71,530 | 0.8 yrs |
| 198 | Brigham Young University Hawaii Hawaii | B | $9,413 | $107 | $52,064 | 0.8 yrs |
| 199 | Duquesne University Pennsylvania | B | $26,244 | $298 | $74,742 | 0.8 yrs |
| 200 | Grinnell College Iowa | B | $17,500 | $199 | $62,830 | 0.8 yrs |
| 201 | Towson University Maryland | B | $18,718 | $213 | $64,390 | 0.8 yrs |
| 202 | New York Institute of Technology New York | B | $23,334 | $265 | $70,080 | 0.8 yrs |
| 203 | Western New England University Massachusetts | B | $25,500 | $290 | $73,157 | 0.8 yrs |
| 204 | Catholic University of America District of Columbia | B | $26,000 | $296 | $73,250 | 0.8 yrs |
| 205 | Jacksonville University Florida | B | $22,000 | $250 | $68,010 | 0.8 yrs |
| 206 | Regis University Colorado | B | $25,000 | $284 | $72,105 | 0.8 yrs |
| 207 | University of Scranton Pennsylvania | B | $27,000 | $307 | $74,652 | 0.8 yrs |
| 208 | California State University, Dominguez Hills California | B | $13,807 | $157 | $57,162 | 0.8 yrs |
| 209 | University of Redlands California | B | $26,000 | $296 | $72,690 | 0.8 yrs |
| 210 | Ursinus College Pennsylvania | B | $27,000 | $307 | $73,721 | 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.