Rankings / Outcomes

Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates

By David Krug, Co-Founder, CollegeRanker · Updated 2026-05-31 · 50 schools · Agent Insights

Schools Analyzed

$69,164

Avg. Earnings (10yr)

74%

Avg. Graduation Rate

$20,714

Avg. Net Price

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When it comes to repaying student loans, not all colleges are created equal. Some schools help their graduates find stable careers that allow them to pay off their debt more effectively. For families considering higher education options, focusing on loan repayment rates can reveal which institutions are genuinely supporting their students' financial futures.

The metrics that matter here are clear: earnings after graduation, graduation rates, total debt, and loan repayment success. The schools on this list have demonstrated strong outcomes in these areas, with an average earnings figure of $54,306 and an average graduation rate of 57%. This information provides a solid foundation for understanding how graduates are faring in the real world.

Take, for instance, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A & M University. Both schools have similar debt levels, with Alabama A & M at $31,000 and Huntsville at $20,705. However, Huntsville graduates earn significantly more—$61,767 compared to Alabama A & M's $40,628—showing how critical strong earnings can be in loan repayment success. This contrast highlights the importance of considering both debt and potential income when making a college choice.

Key Findings

Alabama A & M University has a 26% graduation rate and graduates earn $40,628.

University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates earn an average of $54,501 with a 63% graduation rate.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville graduates earn $61,767, significantly higher than Alabama A & M's earnings.

The average debt among top schools here is $22,300, with an average loan repayment rate that suggests many graduates are successfully managing their loans.

Quick Numbers

Schools ranked 50

Avg. earnings at 10yr $69,164

Avg. graduation rate 74%

Avg. net price $20,714

Avg. median debt $20,706

How We Ranked

Ranked by 3-year loan repayment rate — are graduates paying down debt?

Read our full methodology →

Earnings vs. Cost

Each dot is a ranked school. Up = higher earnings. Right = higher cost. Top-left is the best value.

Graduation Rates

Longer bars = higher graduation rate.

Top 3

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Graduation81%

Earnings$65,337

Net Price$24,323

View full profile →

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT

Graduation84%

Earnings$73,997

Net Price$25,097

View full profile →

Colorado College

Colorado Springs, CO

Graduation87%

Earnings$65,222

Net Price$33,375

View full profile →

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Full Rankings

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · 26,816 students · Public

Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, attracts attention with a robust graduation rate of 81%. This strong completion figure often translates into better job prospects, highlighted by median earnings of $65,337 ten years after graduation, indicating a solid return on investment for students.

46% accepted 81% graduate $65,337 earnings

Auburn's full profile

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · 19,835 students · Public

With nearly 20,000 students, the University of Connecticut in Storrs is known for its robust academic programs and strong sense of community. A notable 84% graduation rate speaks to the support students receive and their commitment to success, making it a worthwhile option for those looking for a comprehensive college experience.

52% accepted 84% graduate $73,997 earnings

University's full profile

Colorado College

Colorado Springs, CO · 2,014 students · Private nonprofit

18% accepted 87% graduate $65,222 earnings

Colorado's full profile

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · 6,155 students · Public

61% accepted 81% graduate $97,335 earnings

Colorado's full profile

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · 18,785 students · Public

14% accepted 93% graduate $102,772 earnings

Georgia's full profile

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · 32,137 students · Public

38% accepted 89% graduate $68,726 earnings

University's full profile

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · 22,264 students · Public

84% accepted 74% graduate $64,762 earnings

University's full profile

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · 35,629 students · Public

24% accepted 91% graduate $71,588 earnings

University's full profile

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · 37,207 students · Public

43% accepted 76% graduate $57,743 earnings

University's full profile

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · 40,922 students · Public

85% accepted 81% graduate $67,253 earnings

Michigan's full profile

#11

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI · 5,955 students · Public

92% accepted 68% graduate $78,198 earnings

Michigan's full profile

#12

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA · 8,312 students · Public

86% accepted 61% graduate $52,279 earnings

Louisiana's full profile

#13

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · 12,351 students · Public

88% accepted 57% graduate $58,612 earnings

Oakland's full profile

#14

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · 10,075 students · Public

99% accepted 50% graduate $44,140 earnings

University's full profile

#15

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT · 7,488 students · Public

96% accepted 47% graduate $44,511 earnings

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark, NJ · 9,019 students · Public

65% accepted 73% graduate $84,276 earnings

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · 12,182 students · Public

50% accepted 56% graduate $44,440 earnings

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · 20,752 students · Public

15% accepted 92% graduate $72,200 earnings

University's full profile

#19

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH · 9,770 students · Public

92% accepted 56% graduate $50,632 earnings

University's full profile

#20

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK · 1,514 students · Private nonprofit

77% accepted 65% graduate $54,655 earnings

Oklahoma's full profile

#21

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR · 20,497 students · Public

88% accepted 72% graduate $61,324 earnings

University's full profile

#22

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · 23,300 students · Public

38% accepted 87% graduate $71,513 earnings

Clemson's full profile

#23

South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, SC · 2,934 students · Public

83% accepted 33% graduate $38,262 earnings

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · 27,752 students · Public

87% accepted 69% graduate $76,343 earnings

George's full profile

#25

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · 17,514 students · Public

90% accepted 45% graduate $54,914 earnings

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · 30,923 students · Public

55% accepted 86% graduate $81,698 earnings

Virginia's full profile

#27

Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA · 5,074 students · Public

89% accepted 40% graduate $45,543 earnings

Virginia's full profile

#28

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT · 27,264 students · Public

86% accepted 64% graduate $67,170 earnings

University's full profile

#29

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · 7,055 students · Public

34% accepted 90% graduate $73,490 earnings

William's full profile

#30

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · 28,677 students · Public

The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is a public university with a substantial enrollment of 28,677 students. This vibrant campus boasts a 70% graduation rate, reflecting its commitment to student success and a wide array of academic programs designed to prepare graduates for a competitive job market.

74% accepted 70% graduate $58,191 earnings

University's full profile

#31

Yale University

New Haven, CT · 6,758 students · Private nonprofit

4% accepted 96% graduate $100,533 earnings

University of Delaware

Newark, DE · 19,071 students · Public

71% accepted 80% graduate $72,950 earnings

University's full profile

#33

American University

Washington, DC · 7,266 students · Private nonprofit

62% accepted 77% graduate $77,370 earnings

American's full profile

#34

George Washington University

Washington, DC · 11,182 students · Private nonprofit

47% accepted 85% graduate $90,873 earnings

George's full profile

#35

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · 5,287 students · Private nonprofit

62% accepted 71% graduate $89,812 earnings

University's full profile

#36

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · 20,443 students · Private nonprofit

10% accepted 92% graduate $92,498 earnings

University's full profile

#37

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · 7,298 students · Private nonprofit

11% accepted 91% graduate $80,137 earnings

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA · 26,623 students · Public

55% accepted 53% graduate $47,384 earnings

Georgia's full profile

#39

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · 7,747 students · Public

76% accepted 59% graduate $54,670 earnings

University's full profile

#40

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · 8,818 students · Private nonprofit

11% accepted 96% graduate $99,980 earnings

University's full profile

#41

Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne, FL · 3,404 students · Private nonprofit

58% accepted 64% graduate $43,137 earnings

Florida's full profile

#42

Florida International University

Miami, FL · 39,508 students · Public

55% accepted 74% graduate $60,249 earnings

Florida's full profile

#43

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · 32,212 students · Public

24% accepted 84% graduate $61,675 earnings

Florida's full profile

#44

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL · 12,913 students · Private nonprofit

19% accepted 84% graduate $75,328 earnings

University's full profile

#45

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · 7,569 students · Private nonprofit

4% accepted 95% graduate $91,885 earnings

University's full profile

#46

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL · 2,833 students · Private nonprofit

55% accepted 74% graduate $82,592 earnings

Illinois's full profile

#47

Tufts University

Medford, MA · 7,061 students · Private nonprofit

11% accepted 93% graduate $83,214 earnings

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD · 5,693 students · Private nonprofit

6% accepted 94% graduate $87,555 earnings

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS · 21,217 students · Public

93% accepted 69% graduate $61,945 earnings

University's full profile

#50

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · 15,142 students · Public

82% accepted 71% graduate $57,262 earnings

Kansas's full profile

While Alabama A & M University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham both serve students in Alabama, their loan repayment outcomes tell a different story. With a graduation rate of only 26%, Alabama A & M's graduates earn an average of $40,628. In contrast, the University of Alabama at Birmingham boasts a 63% graduation rate and higher average earnings of $54,501, demonstrating how graduation rates can directly impact financial outcomes.

For families sorting through these 50 schools, consider not just the numbers, but what matters most for your situation. Weigh the financial data against factors like location, program offerings, and campus culture. If a school excels in loan repayment but isn't a good fit academically or socially, it may not be the right choice.

This data sheds light on the broader implications of college selection on financial stability post-graduation. One family might choose a school like the University of Alabama in Huntsville for its strong earnings potential, while another may prioritize a different school with a unique program that fits their child's interests. The decision is critical and can shape a family's financial future for years to come.

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard

Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card

Social Capital Atlas

Times Higher Education World Rankings

NCES IPEDS

Sources & Citations

[1]

Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →

[2]

U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →

[3]

National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →

David Krug

Co-Founder, CollegeRanker

David Krug is the co-founder of CollegeRanker and a data systems architect focused on making institutional research accessible to families. He builds the data pipelines and ranking algorithms that power CollegeRanker, drawing from federal datasets and Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights research to measure what traditional rankings ignore: whether a college actually changes a family's economic trajectory.

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