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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241 | Central Washington University Washington | B | $19,500 | $222 | $61,580 | 0.9 yrs |
| 242 | Baylor University Texas | B | $23,000 | $262 | $65,793 | 0.9 yrs |
| 243 | Marymount University Virginia | B | $25,000 | $284 | $67,516 | 0.9 yrs |
| 244 | University of Iowa Iowa | B | $22,500 | $256 | $64,762 | 0.9 yrs |
| 245 | Columbia Southern University Alabama | B | $21,339 | $243 | $63,534 | 0.9 yrs |
| 246 | National University California | B | $25,000 | $284 | $67,548 | 0.9 yrs |
| 247 | Pacific Union College California | B | $27,500 | $313 | $70,484 | 0.9 yrs |
| 248 | Wabash College Indiana | B | $27,000 | $307 | $69,952 | 0.9 yrs |
| 249 | University of Nevada, Reno Nevada | B | $18,922 | $215 | $60,614 | 0.9 yrs |
| 250 | Weber State University Utah | B | $15,113 | $172 | $56,287 | 0.9 yrs |
| 251 | University of Vermont Vermont | B | $20,951 | $238 | $62,472 | 0.9 yrs |
| 252 | University of La Verne California | B | $23,500 | $267 | $65,464 | 0.9 yrs |
| 253 | Illinois State University Illinois | B | $20,482 | $233 | $62,117 | 0.9 yrs |
| 254 | Lawrence Technological University Michigan | B | $27,000 | $307 | $69,151 | 0.9 yrs |
| 255 | University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Pennsylvania | B | $24,250 | $276 | $66,125 | 0.9 yrs |
| 256 | University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Pennsylvania | B | $24,250 | $276 | $66,125 | 0.9 yrs |
| 257 | University of North Dakota North Dakota | B | $22,057 | $251 | $63,552 | 0.9 yrs |
| 258 | University of Oregon Oregon | B | $20,139 | $229 | $61,324 | 0.9 yrs |
| 259 | University of North Florida Florida | B | $15,531 | $177 | $56,343 | 0.9 yrs |
| 260 | Xavier University Ohio | B | $23,250 | $264 | $64,873 | 0.9 yrs |
| 261 | Utah Valley University Utah | B | $14,750 | $168 | $55,486 | 0.9 yrs |
| 262 | Bellevue University Nebraska | B | $20,000 | $227 | $61,289 | 0.9 yrs |
| 263 | Denison University Ohio | B | $26,000 | $296 | $67,753 | 0.9 yrs |
| 264 | Hampden-Sydney College Virginia | B | $26,000 | $296 | $67,640 | 0.9 yrs |
| 265 | Hobart and William Smith Colleges New York | B | $27,000 | $307 | $68,831 | 0.9 yrs |
| 266 | Mount Saint Mary College New York | B | $26,007 | $296 | $67,705 | 0.9 yrs |
| 267 | Reed College Oregon | B | $21,500 | $244 | $62,927 | 0.9 yrs |
| 268 | Westmont College California | B | $23,250 | $264 | $64,778 | 0.9 yrs |
| 269 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Missouri | B | $18,750 | $213 | $59,637 | 0.9 yrs |
| 270 | Goldey-Beacom College Delaware | B | $18,900 | $215 | $59,892 | 0.9 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.