Ranked

889 uS universities whose graduates repay fastest

Share of borrowers whose loan balance is falling three years after leaving — the clearest published signal that a degree is being paid off rather than deferred.

#UniversityIn-stateCost of attendance BorrowPaying downSATAcceptance
681 La Sierra University Riverside, California $37,710 $51,459 59% 52% — 92%
682 Friends University Wichita, Kansas $34,192 $50,482 58% 52% 1080 55%
683 Cascadia College Bothell, Washington $5,157 $21,077 2% 52% — —
684 University of South Carolina - Aiken Aiken, South Carolina $10,760 $21,540 43% 52% 1120 79%
685 Coastal Carolina University Conway, South Carolina $11,640 $26,692 57% 52% 1143 75%
686 University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas $7,334 $19,048 26% 52% 1050 80%
687 Columbia Basin College Pasco, Washington $6,555 $18,261 4% 52% — —
688 University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana $37,200 $52,590 38% 52% — 67%
689 Huntingdon College Montgomery, Alabama $29,070 $40,908 71% 51% 1142 69%
690 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama $9,098 $28,145 40% 51% 1258 88%
691 Guilford College Greensboro, North Carolina $41,362 $55,689 51% 51% 1105 80%
692 Northwest Florida State College Niceville, Florida $2,583 $12,914 20% 51% — —
693 California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson, California $7,449 $23,191 20% 51% — 93%
694 The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas $9,987 $16,830 26% 51% 985 94%
695 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee $10,472 $27,042 34% 51% 1144 86%
696 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois $13,334 $28,329 45% 51% 1055 87%
697 University of Advancing Technology Tempe, Arizona $19,365 $32,794 68% 50% — 98%
698 Athens State University Athens, Alabama — — 41% 50% — —
699 Andrews University Berrien Springs, Michigan $35,056 $45,218 31% 50% 1150 82%
700 University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut $35,760 $52,957 76% 50% — 83%
701 New Jersey City University Jersey City, New Jersey $14,460 $28,255 28% 50% — 98%
702 Upper Iowa University Fayette, Iowa $19,475 $34,022 40% 50% 1090 96%
703 Pensacola State College Pensacola, Florida $2,361 $11,894 8% 50% — —
704 Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana $10,258 $24,535 26% 50% — 81%
705 National University San Diego, California $13,284 $33,978 25% 50% — —
706 Northeastern Junior College Sterling, Colorado $5,730 $21,558 17% 50% — —
707 Washburn University Topeka, Kansas $9,945 $21,512 31% 50% — —
708 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee $10,266 $24,289 28% 50% 1121 69%
709 Tuskegee University Tuskegee, Alabama $25,386 $43,454 59% 50% 1120 49%
710 Indiana University at South Bend South Bend, Indiana $8,424 $17,364 35% 49% 1081 84%
711 Saginaw Valley State University University Center, Michigan $12,930 $24,936 50% 49% 1052 72%
712 Winthrop University Rock Hill, South Carolina $14,678 $30,710 54% 49% 1139 79%
713 Indiana University Southeast New Albany, Indiana $8,424 $16,411 29% 49% 1072 84%
714 Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, Colorado $9,927 $24,046 31% 49% 1055 82%
715 Colorado Christian University Lakewood, Colorado $41,342 $54,242 45% 49% — —
716 Southern Arkansas University Magnolia, Arkansas $9,960 $24,951 63% 49% 1047 75%
717 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky $10,320 $23,735 41% 48% 1149 78%
718 Park University Parkville, Missouri $17,500 $29,427 31% 48% — —
719 Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho $8,610 $21,527 23% 48% — —
720 American International College Springfield, Massachusetts $44,230 $59,270 67% 48% — 100%

Questions

Best repayment in the US: which university leads?
La Sierra University — 52% of borrowers paying their balance down.
Where does this data come from?
The US Department of Education College Scorecard, which publishes what institutions charge, what students borrow and repay, and the test scores of admitted students. Nothing here is estimated — universities without a published figure are left out of the ranking.
Is the cheapest university the best value?
Not necessarily. Price is one half of value; the other is what graduates earn and whether they clear the debt. Each university page links to its earnings and repayment record.
All university data Cheapest tuition Most expensive Fewest borrowers Highest SAT Highest acceptance

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without a published figure for the ranked measure are not listed.