Which degrees and careers pay off college loans the quickest? Fidelity says these are the Top 3 and Bottom 3:
1. Advertising, Marketing, Promotions
5.83 years to repay
Minimum required years of higher education: 4
Cost of degree: $52,596
Median pay: $107,950
Annual repayment at 10 percent of salary: $10,795
2. Economist
7.08 years to repay
Minimum required years of higher education: 4
Cost of degree: $52,596
Median pay: $91,860
Annual repayment at 10 percent of salary: $9,186
3. Civil Engineer
8.50 years to repay
Minimum required years of higher education: 4
Cost of degree: $52,596
Median pay: $79,340
Annual repayment at 10 percent of salary: $7,934
18. Veterinarian
27.92 years to repay
Minimum required years of higher education: 8
Cost of degree: $114,268
Median pay :$84,460
Annual repayment at 10 percent of salary: $8,446
19. News Analyst, Reporter, Correspondent
31.83 years to repay
Minimum required years of higher education: 4
Cost of degree: $52,596
Median pay: $37,090
Annual repayment at 10 percent of salary: $3,709
20. Marriage and Family Therapist
34.67 years to repay
Minimum required years of higher education: 6
Cost of degree: $68,010
Median pay: $46,670
Annual repayment at 10 percent of salary: $4,667
BY COMPARISON
How popular college degrees and the careers they land rank in their ability to pay off the
thousands in loans owed after graduation:
Degree/career ... Cost of degree ... Payoff years
Advertising/marketing ... $52,596 ... 5.83
Economist ... $52,596 ... 7.08
Civil engineer ... $52,596 ... 8.50
Political scientist ... $68,010 ... 8.58
Pharmacist ... $92,421 ... 10.83
Microbiologist ... $52,596 ... 10.83
Family physician ... $136,86 ... 10.92
Accountant ... $52,596 ... 11.50
Market research analyst ... $52,596 ... 12.42
Lawyer ... $103,677 ... 13.33
Dentist ... $139,298 ... 13.75
Political science teacher ... $68,010 ... 14
Public relations specialist ... $52,596 ... 14.67
English language teacher ... $68,010 ... 19.08
Zoologist ... $68,010 ... 20.58
Librarian ... $68,010 ... 22.33
Teacher ... $52,596 ... 21.75
Veterinarian ... $114,268 ... 27.92
News analyst/reporter ... $52,596 ... 31.83
Marriage/family therapist ... $68,010 ... 34.67
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, FinAid.org.
