Big colleges whose alumni are struggling with student loans
Two of Arizona's big three are listed.
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
Portland Press Herald / Getty Images
Student debt is a hot-button issue this election season, and a daily struggle for millions of graduates collectively dealing with over $1.2 trillion worth of student debt.
For many students, taking out loans is the only way they can afford higher education -- but not all colleges are created equal. While some schools produce high-earning alumni, students from other colleges get stuck with low incomes and struggle to pay off their loans. In some cases, earnings are so low that students cannot pay back the debt at all, and must default on their loans.
StartClass, an education research site powered by Graphiq, found the 59 colleges where the highest percentage of students are defaulting on their loans. Using data from the College Scorecard project, a White House-sponsored program that delves into "national data on cost, graduation, debt and post-college earnings," StartClass ranked 59 schools by their 3-year default rate. To be considered, each school had to have at least 15,000 undergraduate students enrolled and offer four-year degree programs. The school's three-year repayment rate is also noted, as well as the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid 10 years after entering the school.
These 59 colleges each reported an 8 percent or higher three-year default rate. Schools in one Southern state take up seven of the first 12 spots and the worst schools average a 20 percent default rate. Additionally, the average earnings for alumni who received federal aid from these schools is about $36,500. With up to one in five students defaulting on their loans, and low earnings reported, potential students may want to pause before considering applying to these schools.
Note: When the default rate between schools was equal, the school with the largest undergraduate enrollment was ranked higher.
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#59. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Keith8404 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 85.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,314
#58. Ball State University
Momoneymoproblemz / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 8.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 84.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,000
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,985
#57. Weber State University
D.fletcher5 / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 8.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 82.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $42,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,314
#56. The University of Alabama
Ttownfeen / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 81.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $42,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 28,692
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#55. Mississippi State University
Bluelightstar / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 81 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,399
#54. Arizona State University-Tempe
Wars / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 80.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,200
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 38,480
#53. Georgia State University
Ken Lund / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 8.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 72.7 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,128
#52. Indiana University: Purdue University, Indianapolis
Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 8.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,569
#51. Kennesaw State University
Thejerm / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,211
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#50. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Stan Shebs / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 75.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,742
#49. Florida International University
Comayagua99 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.1 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 38,234
#48. Georgia Southern University
Richardelainechambers / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,103
#47. University of Maryland-University College
carmichaellibrary / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 65.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $50,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,006
#46. Utah Valley University
uvuphotos / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 79.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,243
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#45. Northern Illinois University
Andy McMurray / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 83.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,782
#44. Texas State University
Liveon001 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 80.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,005
#43. University of Louisville
Editorpana / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 77.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,023
#42. California State University-San Bernardino
Amerique / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 73.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,887
#41. The University of Texas at El Paso
Adrian Garcia / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 74.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,527
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#40. University of North Texas
Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 10 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $42,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,243
#39. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Bearcat2011 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 75.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,360
#38. Northern Arizona University
Derek.cashman / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $38,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,011
#37. West Virginia University
Richinstead / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 79.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,130
#36. Sam Houston State University
Larry D. Moore / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 77.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,255
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#35. University of Central Oklahoma
Wesley Fryer / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 10.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $38,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,119
#34. The University of Texas at San Antonio
Larry D. Moore / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 11 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $44,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,840
#33. Boise State University
Bsuorangecrush / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 11.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 75.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $35,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,557
#32. Middle Tennessee State University
MTSUGoRaidersGo / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 11.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 73.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $36,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,914
#31. Miami Dade College
Phillip Pessar / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 12.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 68.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $30,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 61,684
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#30. Broward College
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Tulane Public Relations / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 12.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 62.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $33,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 39,162
#29. The University of Texas-Pan American
534131 / Pixabay
3-year Default Rate: 12.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 72.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $40,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,200
#28. University of Memphis
Larry Donald / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 12.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 58.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,000
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,178
#27. Wayne State University
Del arte / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 12.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 59.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,789
#26. Eastern Michigan University
krossbow / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 12.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 70.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,543
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#25. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
PerryPlanet / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 70.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $35,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,847
#24. American Public University System
wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 13 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 59.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: Not Reported
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 42,460
#23. Troy University
Kreeder13 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 54.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $36,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,208
#22. Columbia College
KOMUnews / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 13.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 64.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,600
Institution Type: Four-year private not-for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,498
#21. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Faigl. ladislav / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 13.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 71 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $38,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,696
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#20. University of Toledo
eekim / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 13.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 67.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $40,200
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,440
#19. University of Akron Main Campus
Kh156 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 66 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,022
#18. Western Kentucky University
Bbadgett / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 66.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,780
#17. CUNY New York City College of Technology
Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 14.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 64.1 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,917
#16. Miami University-Oxford
Mccartm8 / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 14.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 74.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,378
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#15. Kent State University at Kent
JonRidinger / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 14.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 69 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $36,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,071
#14. Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale
D. Ramey Logan/Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 14.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 46.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $29,600
Institution Type: Four-year private not-for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,788
#13. Ohio University-Main Campus
Ed! / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 15 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 70 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,331
#12. Ashford University
RandomStringOfCharacters / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 15.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 43 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,500
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 50,403
#11. Grand Canyon University
GrandCanyonU / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 15.8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 39.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,200
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,643
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#10. Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jonathan Zander / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 17.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 56 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,018
#9. Seminole State College of Florida
Albert Herring / Pixabay
3-year Default Rate: 18 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 53 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,567
#8. DeVry University-Illinois
TrishaLyn / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 18.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 54.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: Not Reported
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,112
#7. Palm Beach State College
Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 19.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 56.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $31,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,106
#6. Full Sail University
Fourbuttons / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 19.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 57.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,100
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,880
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
- Updated
#5. College of Southern Nevada
ZooFari / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 20.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 49.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $31,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,848
#4. Valencia College
Syda Productions / Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 20.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 53.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,819
#3. Kaplan University-Davenport Campus
Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 20.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 35.7 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,400
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,209
#2. Everest University-South Orlando
Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 21.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 22 percent
Number of Undergrads: 29,460
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $25,300
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,460
#1. St. Petersburg College
CityofStPete / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 21.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 52.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,000
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 27,166
More like this...
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
Portland Press Herald / Getty Images
Student debt is a hot-button issue this election season, and a daily struggle for millions of graduates collectively dealing with over $1.2 trillion worth of student debt.
For many students, taking out loans is the only way they can afford higher education -- but not all colleges are created equal. While some schools produce high-earning alumni, students from other colleges get stuck with low incomes and struggle to pay off their loans. In some cases, earnings are so low that students cannot pay back the debt at all, and must default on their loans.
StartClass, an education research site powered by Graphiq, found the 59 colleges where the highest percentage of students are defaulting on their loans. Using data from the College Scorecard project, a White House-sponsored program that delves into "national data on cost, graduation, debt and post-college earnings," StartClass ranked 59 schools by their 3-year default rate. To be considered, each school had to have at least 15,000 undergraduate students enrolled and offer four-year degree programs. The school's three-year repayment rate is also noted, as well as the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid 10 years after entering the school.
These 59 colleges each reported an 8 percent or higher three-year default rate. Schools in one Southern state take up seven of the first 12 spots and the worst schools average a 20 percent default rate. Additionally, the average earnings for alumni who received federal aid from these schools is about $36,500. With up to one in five students defaulting on their loans, and low earnings reported, potential students may want to pause before considering applying to these schools.
Note: When the default rate between schools was equal, the school with the largest undergraduate enrollment was ranked higher.
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#59. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Keith8404 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 85.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,314
#58. Ball State University
Momoneymoproblemz / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 8.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 84.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,000
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,985
#57. Weber State University
D.fletcher5 / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 8.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 82.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $42,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,314
#56. The University of Alabama
Ttownfeen / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 81.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $42,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 28,692
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#55. Mississippi State University
Bluelightstar / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 81 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,399
#54. Arizona State University-Tempe
Wars / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 80.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,200
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 38,480
#53. Georgia State University
Ken Lund / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 8.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 72.7 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,128
#52. Indiana University: Purdue University, Indianapolis
Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 8.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,569
#51. Kennesaw State University
Thejerm / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,211
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#50. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Stan Shebs / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 75.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,742
#49. Florida International University
Comayagua99 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.1 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 38,234
#48. Georgia Southern University
Richardelainechambers / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 8.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,103
#47. University of Maryland-University College
carmichaellibrary / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 65.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $50,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,006
#46. Utah Valley University
uvuphotos / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 79.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,243
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#45. Northern Illinois University
Andy McMurray / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 83.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,782
#44. Texas State University
Liveon001 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 80.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,005
#43. University of Louisville
Editorpana / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 77.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,023
#42. California State University-San Bernardino
Amerique / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 73.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,887
#41. The University of Texas at El Paso
Adrian Garcia / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 9.8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 74.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,527
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#40. University of North Texas
Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 10 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 78.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $42,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,243
#39. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Bearcat2011 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 75.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,360
#38. Northern Arizona University
Derek.cashman / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $38,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,011
#37. West Virginia University
Richinstead / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 79.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $43,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,130
#36. Sam Houston State University
Larry D. Moore / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 10.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 77.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,255
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#35. University of Central Oklahoma
Wesley Fryer / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 10.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76.2 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $38,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,119
#34. The University of Texas at San Antonio
Larry D. Moore / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 11 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 76.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $44,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,840
#33. Boise State University
Bsuorangecrush / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 11.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 75.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $35,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,557
#32. Middle Tennessee State University
MTSUGoRaidersGo / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 11.6 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 73.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $36,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,914
#31. Miami Dade College
Phillip Pessar / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 12.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 68.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $30,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 61,684
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#30. Broward College
Tulane Public Relations / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 12.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 62.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $33,400
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 39,162
#29. The University of Texas-Pan American
534131 / Pixabay
3-year Default Rate: 12.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 72.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $40,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,200
#28. University of Memphis
Larry Donald / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 12.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 58.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,000
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,178
#27. Wayne State University
Del arte / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 12.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 59.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $41,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,789
#26. Eastern Michigan University
krossbow / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 12.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 70.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,543
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#25. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
PerryPlanet / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 70.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $35,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,847
#24. American Public University System
wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 13 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 59.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: Not Reported
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 42,460
#23. Troy University
Kreeder13 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 54.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $36,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,208
#22. Columbia College
KOMUnews / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 13.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 64.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,600
Institution Type: Four-year private not-for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,498
#21. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Faigl. ladislav / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 13.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 71 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $38,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,696
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#20. University of Toledo
eekim / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 13.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 67.3 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $40,200
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,440
#19. University of Akron Main Campus
Kh156 / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 66 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,022
#18. Western Kentucky University
Bbadgett / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 13.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 66.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,780
#17. CUNY New York City College of Technology
Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 14.1 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 64.1 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,700
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,917
#16. Miami University-Oxford
Mccartm8 / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 14.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 74.6 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,800
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,378
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#15. Kent State University at Kent
JonRidinger / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 14.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 69 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $36,600
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,071
#14. Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale
D. Ramey Logan/Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 14.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 46.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $29,600
Institution Type: Four-year private not-for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,788
#13. Ohio University-Main Campus
Ed! / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 15 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 70 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $39,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,331
#12. Ashford University
RandomStringOfCharacters / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 15.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 43 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $37,500
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 50,403
#11. Grand Canyon University
GrandCanyonU / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 15.8 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 39.9 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $45,200
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,643
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#10. Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jonathan Zander / Wikipedia
3-year Default Rate: 17.7 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 56 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,018
#9. Seminole State College of Florida
Albert Herring / Pixabay
3-year Default Rate: 18 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 53 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,300
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,567
#8. DeVry University-Illinois
TrishaLyn / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 18.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 54.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: Not Reported
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,112
#7. Palm Beach State College
Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 19.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 56.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $31,500
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,106
#6. Full Sail University
Fourbuttons / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 19.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 57.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,100
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,880
- Tessa Boyce, StartClass.com
#5. College of Southern Nevada
ZooFari / Wikimedia Commons
3-year Default Rate: 20.2 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 49.5 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $31,900
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,848
#4. Valencia College
Syda Productions / Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 20.3 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 53.8 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,100
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,819
#3. Kaplan University-Davenport Campus
Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 20.4 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 35.7 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $34,400
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,209
#2. Everest University-South Orlando
Shutterstock
3-year Default Rate: 21.5 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 22 percent
Number of Undergrads: 29,460
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $25,300
Institution Type: Four-year private for-profit
Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,460
#1. St. Petersburg College
CityofStPete / Flickr
3-year Default Rate: 21.9 percent
3-year Repayment Rate: 52.4 percent
Median Earnings of Former Students Who Received Federal Financial Aid: $32,000
Institution Type: Four-year public
Undergraduate Enrollment: 27,166
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