Rankings / Outcomes
Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates
- 50
- Schools
- $67,940
- Avg. Earnings
- 73%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,230
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,005
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $38,262 to $102,772, a 2.7× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Florida delivers the most for the money: roughly $71,588 in median earnings against $6,541 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, University of Florida ($6,541 net price), still posts $71,588 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Yale University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 73% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Yale University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Auburn University ($65,337 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($102,772), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of Florida costs $6,541 a year and American University costs $41,943. Yet their graduates earn $71,588 and $77,370, nowhere near the $35,402 price gap.
- On value, University of Florida beats Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Florida and Yale University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $67K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
- 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.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Auburn University #1 overall | $65,337 ▼ -4% vs avg | $24,323 | 81% | 99 |
| 2 Colorado College #2 overall | $65,222 ▼ -4% vs avg | $33,375 | 87% | 99 |
| 3 Colorado School of Mines #3 overall | $97,335 ▲ +43% vs avg | $28,690 | 81% | 99 |
| $73,997 ▲ +9% vs avg | $25,097 | 84% | 99 | |
| $71,588 ▲ +5% vs avg | $6,541 | 91% | 99 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $67,940 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 73% and an average net price of $20,230.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Florida — Net Price: $6,541 | Graduation Rate: 91%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Yale University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $102,772
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Opportunity & Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about opportunity, mobility, and the future of higher education in America?
$66,254
Median earnings (10yr)
74%
Median graduation rate
$18,153
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Ranked on outcomes rather than reputation, this list reads as a test of what college is for: whether it pays off, who it lets in, and who it moves up. The schools that rise turn enrollment into earnings and admit students broadly enough that the gains reach beyond the already-advantaged.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $66,254 ten years after they first enrolled, about $18,254 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 74%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,153 a year, with about $21,375 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 25% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.
What we’re seeing: outcomes and access increasingly matter more than prestige. Mobility leaders like New Jersey Institute of Technology and median earnings of $66,254 point to where higher education is heading: a simple test of whether students end up better off.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Auburn University lands at #1 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $65,337 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,323 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Colorado College lands at #2 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,222 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $33,375 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Colorado School of Mines lands at #3 with a 99/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $97,335 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Connecticut lands at #4 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Florida lands at #5 with a 99/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of South Florida lands at #6 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $57,743 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,812 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Iowa lands at #7 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $64,762 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,531 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #8
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #8 with a 99/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 51% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Georgia lands at #9 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $68,726 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,936 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Pittsburg State University lands at #10 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,579 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Oakland University lands at #11 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $58,612 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,120 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Louisiana Tech University lands at #12 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,279 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Michigan State University lands at #13 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,253 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,680 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Michigan Technological University lands at #14 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $78,198 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,182 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #15 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Southern Mississippi lands at #16 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,140 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,708 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
The University of Montana lands at #17 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,511 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of Toledo lands at #18 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $50,632 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,249 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Oklahoma City University lands at #19 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,655 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,857 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
University of Oregon lands at #20 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $61,324 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,182 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #21
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #21 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #22
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #22 with a 99/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Clemson University lands at #23 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $71,513 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,253 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
South Carolina State University lands at #24 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,262 a decade after enrolling, 44% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,097 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Old Dominion University lands at #25 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,638 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #26
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #26 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Virginia State University lands at #27 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,840 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of Utah lands at #28 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $67,170 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,200 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
William & Mary lands at #29 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
George Mason University lands at #30 with a 99/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,343 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,915 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
University of Arkansas lands at #31 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,191 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,209 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
University of San Francisco lands at #32 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $89,812 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,431 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
University of Southern California lands at #33 with a 98/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $92,498 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,740 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Yale University lands at #34 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 48% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Delaware lands at #35 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $72,950 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,799 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
American University lands at #36 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $77,370 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,943 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
George Washington University lands at #37 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $90,873 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,586 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Florida Institute of Technology lands at #38 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $43,137 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,639 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Florida International University lands at #39 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Florida State University lands at #40 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $61,675 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,297 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
University of Miami lands at #41 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,328 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,244 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
University of Chicago lands at #42 with a 98/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #43 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $82,592 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,425 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
University of Notre Dame lands at #44 with a 98/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $99,980 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Emory University lands at #45 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Georgia State University lands at #46 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $47,384 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,931 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
University of Idaho lands at #47 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,670 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,831 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
University of Kansas lands at #48 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,945 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,059 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Kansas State University lands at #49 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,262 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,406 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
University of Kentucky lands at #50 with a 98/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,025 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,851 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
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.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 50 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. New Jersey Institute of Technology leads the group at 6.5%, with Florida International University (5.2%) and University of Southern California (3.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Virginia State University leads at 32.8%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 35.2% across this list. Colorado School of Mines posts the highest success rate at 64%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.60 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of San Francisco reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates ranking? +
Auburn University in Auburn, AL ranks #1 in our 2026 Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $65,337 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 81% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $102,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $67,940 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Florida leads: graduates earn a median $71,588 against net price of about $6,541 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Yale University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 73% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,230 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. University of Florida is among the most affordable at roughly $6,541. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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