Top Colleges Not Worth Attending in Every State, Ranked

Top Colleges to Avoid: A State-by-State Analysis

Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions a student can make. With rising tuition costs and the long-term financial implications, it's crucial to consider factors like graduation rates, student debt, and post-graduation salaries. Here's a comprehensive look at the colleges that might not be worth your time or money, ranked from the least problematic to the worst.

50. Washington – Heritage University

Heritage University in Washington has an 84.1% graduation rate, but only 4% of students graduate on time. The median six-year salary for graduates is $35,900, which is significantly lower than the state's average of $61,896. This discrepancy is reflected in the 11.8% default rate among borrowers.

49. Oregon – Pacific Northwest College of Art

As an art school, Pacific Northwest College of Art is known for its high costs. Students leave with an average debt of $22,716 and a median salary of $27,400 after six years. While the loan default rate is relatively low at 6.9%, the low post-grad income makes this a risky choice.

48. Minnesota – Crown College

Crown College has a 57.1% graduation rate, but students typically leave with $31,720 in debt. The median salary six years later is $35,100, and 9.3% of borrowers default on their loans. The student-to-professor ratio of 19:1 may also impact the quality of education.

47. Massachusetts – Montserrat College of Art

In a state home to prestigious institutions like MIT, Montserrat College of Art falls short. It has a 48.5% graduation rate, with students leaving with an average debt of $47,340. The median salary six years later is just $26,500, making it a poor investment.

46. Hawaii – Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University of Honolulu has a 48.3% graduation rate and a median salary of $38,400. However, the high price tag and 5.6% default rate are concerns. Everything in Hawaii is expensive, and this university is no exception.

45. Connecticut – Mitchell College

Mitchell College is considered overpriced for its value. Students leave with an average of $31,848 in loans and a median salary of $32,000 after six years. The graduation rate of 46.2% is close to the national average, but complaints about outdated facilities and poor food are common.

44. Rhode Island – Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College has a 42.6% graduation rate and a 8.2% loan default rate on an average debt of $25,236. Its starting salary of $37,000 is less competitive compared to other local options.

43. Utah – Stevens Henager College-Ogden

The Ogden campus of Stevens Henager College has a 42.4% graduation rate, with only 18% of students finishing on time. Graduates leave with an average of $34,640 in loans, but the median salary is only $28,800, leading to a 19.4% default rate.

42. Wisconsin – Herzing University-Madison

Herzing University-Madison has a 42.1% graduation rate, but the average student debt is $32,204. The median salary of $37,800 is significantly lower than Wisconsin's average of $60,773, and 13.6% of borrowers default on their loans.

41. Kansas – Sterling College

Sterling College is priced over market for its value. Students leave with an average of $24,892 in debt and a median salary of $35,700. Only 42% of students manage to graduate, though 24% finish on time. The student-to-professor ratio is a healthy 12:1.

40. North Dakota – Mayville State University

Mayville State University is one of the better options on this list. In-state tuition is around $14,557, and students leave with a manageable debt of just over $27,000. The median six-year salary is $39,300, and 91% of graduates are employed within two years. Still, the graduation rate is only 40.6%, and 11.4% of borrowers default on their loans.

39. Arkansas – Philander Smith College

Philander Smith College has a 39% graduation rate and an average debt of $26,616. The median salary six years later is $24,400, contributing to a 20.1% default rate.

38. Nebraska – Peru State College

Peru State College has a 36.7% graduation rate, with 18% of students graduating on time. The average debt is $22,404, and the median salary is $37,500. About 9% of graduates still default on their loans.

37. Vermont – Johnson State College

Johnson State College leaves graduates with an average debt of $31,736 and a 36.7% graduation rate. The median salary six years later is $33,200, and 9.6% of graduates default on their loans. The college has since merged with Northern Vermont University.

36. New Hampshire – New England College

New England College has a 36.3% graduation rate and an average debt of $34,536. While the median salary is $37,900 and 93% of graduates are employed within two years, 12.2% of borrowers default on their loans.

35. California – California College San Diego

California College San Diego has a 36% graduation rate and an average debt of $31,884. Only 79% of students are employed two years after graduation, and the median salary is around $39,800.

34. Kentucky – Lindsey Wilson College

Lindsey Wilson College has a 34.2% graduation rate and an average debt of $20,536. The loan default rate is 9.6%, and the median salary six years later is $28,800.

33. South Dakota – Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is pricey for what it offers, with in-state tuition of $18,723. The graduation rate is 33.2%, and only 13% of students finish on time. Graduates leave with $26,672 in debt, and 9.3% default despite a median salary of $35,900.

32. New Jersey – Bloomfield College

Bloomfield College has a 31.9% graduation rate and a median salary of $38,200. Students leave with an average debt of $26,044, and 14.5% of borrowers default on their loans.

31. Iowa – Waldorf University

Waldorf University leaves students with an average debt of $27,804 and a median salary of $37,800. The graduation rate is 31.4%, and 9.7% of borrowers default on their loans.

30. Alaska – University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage has a 31% graduation rate and a loan default rate of 12.2%. The median starting salary is $46,000, which is double the average student loan amount.

29. Delaware – Wesley College

Wesley College has a 31% graduation rate and an average debt of $31,084. Graduates earn a median salary of $42,900 after six years, but the 62% acceptance rate raises questions about the quality of students.

28. South Carolina – Benedict College

Benedict College has a 31% graduation rate and a strange disconnect between its low annual price ($9,184) and its massive average debt of $45,144. The median salary is $25,400, and 8.6% of borrowers default on their loans.

27. Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College is affordable, with students leaving with just under $20,000 in loans. Despite this, 12.8% still default, even with a median salary of $34,600.

26. Mississippi – Mississippi Valley State University

Only 29.8% of students at Mississippi Valley State University graduate. Despite a reasonable price, students end up with an average debt of $32,252. The median salary is $23,200, and the default rate is 18.9%.

25. New York – College of New Rochelle

The College of New Rochelle has a 29% graduation rate and an average debt of $30,096. The median salary is $40,000, but it doesn't go far in New York, and over 12% of graduates default on their loans.

24. Indiana – Indiana University – Northwest

Indiana University – Northwest has a 28% graduation rate and an average debt of $22,000. The median salary is $36,300, which is higher than some others on this list.

23. Montana – Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings has a 27.8% graduation rate and a 11.5% default rate on an average debt of $22,448. The median salary is $34,600, but an 89% employment rate offers hope.

22. Maine – University of Maine at Augusta

The University of Maine at Augusta has a 27.8% graduation rate and a 17% default rate on an average debt of $23,896. The median salary is $27,700, and while 80% of graduates are employed after two years, it's still below the national average.

21. Nevada – Nevada State College

Nevada State College has a 27.6% graduation rate and an average debt of $11,000. 11% of graduates default on their loans, and the median salary 10 years after graduation is $47,600.

20. Alabama – Alabama State University

Alabama State University accepts 98% of applicants but only graduates 26% of them. The median earnings six years later are $27,700, and 21% of students default on their loans within three years.

19. Wyoming – Laramie County Community College

Laramie County Community College has a 25.9% graduation rate and a 16% default rate. On the plus side, 86% of graduates find a job after finishing their studies.

18. North Carolina – Shaw University

Shaw University has a 25.4% graduation rate and a 19.6% default rate. Graduates leave with an average debt of $28,044 and a median salary of $29,200.

17. Virginia – Virginia Union University

Virginia Union University has a 25.4% graduation rate and an average debt of $24,524. The median salary is $32,000, and 15% of borrowers default on their loans.

16. Georgia – The Art Institute of Atlanta

The Art Institute of Atlanta has a 23% graduation rate and an average debt of $31,656. Graduates earn a median salary of $30,900, and 18.8% of borrowers default on their loans.

15. Ohio – Central State University

Central State University has a 22% graduation rate and an average debt of $26,896. The median salary is $26,100, and 27.8% of borrowers default on their loans.

14. West Virginia – West Virginia State University

West Virginia State University has a 21.9% graduation rate and an average debt of $31,900. The median salary is $29,800, and 17.1% of graduates default on their loans.

13. Michigan – Baker College in Flint

Baker College in Flint has a 21.1% graduation rate and an average debt of $22,852. The median salary is $27,200, and the default rate is 16%.

12. Illinois – DeVry University

DeVry University has a 20.6% graduation rate and an average debt of over $30,000. Graduates earn a median salary of $44,100, but the school still has a high default rate.

11. Maryland – Coppin State University

Coppin State University has a 20.4% graduation rate and an average debt of $23,936. The median salary is $38,100, and 85% of graduates find employment after graduation.

10. Pennsylvania – Strayer University

Strayer University has a 20% graduation rate and a high student-to-professor ratio of 29:1. Graduates report a median salary of $45,900, but only 85% find employment after graduation.

9. Tennessee – Le Moyne-Owen College

Le Moyne-Owen College has a 20% graduation rate and an average debt of $36,796. The median salary is $28,400, and the default rate is 20.4%.

8. Florida – Edward Waters College

Edward Waters College has a 19.6% graduation rate and an average debt of $22,558. The median salary is $25,900, and the default rate is 21.7%.

7. Colorado – Nazarene Bible College

Nazarene Bible College has a 16.4% graduation rate and an average debt of $42,340. The median salary is $29,700, and 12.9% of borrowers default on their loans.

6. New Mexico – University of the Southwest

University of the Southwest has a 16.1% graduation rate and an average debt of $23,112. The median salary is $36,200, and the acceptance rate is 45%.

5. Arizona – Western International University

Western International University has a 15% graduation rate, with only 1% graduating on time. The average debt is $21,228, and the low graduation rate makes attending a huge gamble.

4. Oklahoma – Bacone College

Bacone College has a 14.9% graduation rate, with only 6% of students finishing on time. The average debt is $25,220, and 10.6% of borrowers default on their loans.

3. Texas – Texas College

Texas College has a 12.4% graduation rate, with only 4% of students finishing on time. The average debt is $21,624, and the median salary is $23,400. A shocking 23.3% of borrowers default on their loans.

2. Louisiana – Grambling State University

Grambling State University has a 10% graduation rate and an average debt of $27,656. The median salary is $28,100, and the default rate is 16.1%.

1. Missouri – Harris-Stowe State University

Harris-Stowe State University has one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation: 8%. Of those few who graduate, only 2% finish on time. The average student debt is $30,944, and the median salary is $26,700. This leads to a massive 21.5% of borrowers defaulting on their loans.