2027 Best Undergraduate Degrees for Low Student Debt
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Choosing a bachelor's degree now means weighing career value against borrowing risk. Federal Student Aid reported more than $1.6 trillion in outstanding federal student loans in 2024, while the College Board found that bachelor's recipients who borrowed left school with about $29,300 in debt.
This guide is for students, transfer learners, working adults, and families comparing undergraduate degrees with manageable costs. You'll learn which majors often support lower borrowing, how program format affects total price, and how to choose a degree that fits your budget and career goals.
Key Things You Should Know
- Low-debt bachelor's degrees usually combine moderate tuition, strong transfer-credit policies, paid internship options, and clear entry-level career paths rather than relying on major choice alone.
- College Board's 2024 data shows published tuition and fees averaged $11,610 for in-state public four-year students and $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year colleges, so school type and residency can change borrowing more than the major itself.
- Degrees in nursing, information technology, computer science, engineering, business, and selected healthcare fields often offer stronger salary-to-debt potential, but accreditation, licensure fit, and completion time are critical.
Top 10 Best Undergraduate Degrees for Low Student Debt
Business Degrees
Business degrees can be low-debt choices because they are widely offered at public universities, online colleges, and transfer-friendly programs. Common concentrations include accounting, finance, marketing, management, and business analytics. They fit students who want flexible career options in corporate, nonprofit, government, or entrepreneurial settings.
According to BLS May 2024 data, accountants and auditors had a median pay of $81,680, making accounting one of the more measurable business paths. To control debt, prioritize AACSB, ACBSP, or regionally accredited programs with internship pipelines and transparent graduate outcomes.
Healthcare Degrees
Healthcare undergraduate degrees include health administration, public health, health information management, radiologic science, and clinical laboratory science. These can be cost-effective when they lead to defined roles without requiring immediate graduate school. They suit students who want patient-adjacent, administrative, technical, or community health careers.
BLS May 2024 data lists medical and health services managers at a median pay of $117,960, though many management roles require experience after graduation. Check programmatic accreditation, clinical placement fees, background-check costs, and whether the degree qualifies you for any required credential or certification.
Information Technology Degrees
Information technology degrees often focus on networks, systems administration, cloud platforms, databases, user support, and enterprise software. They can keep debt lower because many programs accept transfer credits, industry certifications, and prior learning. IT is a strong fit for students who like applied problem-solving more than theory-heavy programming.
Employers may value CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, or security credentials alongside the degree. Choose programs with hands-on labs, virtual environments, career services, and internship support. Avoid programs that are vague about technical coursework or rely mostly on general business classes.
Computer Science Degrees
Computer science degrees can produce strong return on investment, but they are not automatically low-debt. They fit students prepared for math, programming, algorithms, software design, and continuous skill updates. BLS May 2024 data reports a median pay of $133,080 for software developers, but hiring can be competitive and portfolio quality matters.
To reduce borrowing risk, look for public universities, transfer pathways, ABET-accredited or well-established curricula, co-op options, and strong placement data. Students who want faster workforce entry may consider IT, data analytics, or targeted certificates first.
Cybersecurity Degrees
Cybersecurity degrees cover network defense, risk management, incident response, digital forensics, governance, and secure systems. They can be low-debt when paired with affordable tuition and stackable certifications. BLS projects information security analyst employment to grow much faster than average over the 2024 to 2034 period, which supports demand but does not remove entry-level competition.
Students should seek hands-on cyber ranges, labs, internship access, and preparation for certifications such as Security+, CySA+, or CISSP later in their careers. Avoid programs that promise senior security jobs immediately after graduation.
Psychology Degrees
Psychology can be affordable at public colleges, but its debt risk depends heavily on career goals. A bachelor's degree may support roles in human services, case management, HR, research assistance, sales, or behavioral health support, while licensed psychologist roles require graduate education.
This degree fits students interested in human behavior, data, counseling-related fields, or organizational work. To keep debt low, students should clarify whether they plan to stop at the bachelor's level or pursue graduate school. Choose programs with statistics, research methods, internships, and advising about realistic career pathways.
Nursing Degrees
Nursing is often one of the strongest low-debt undergraduate options when students attend an affordable, accredited program and pass the NCLEX-RN. BLS May 2024 data reports a median pay of $93,600 for registered nurses, and demand is supported by healthcare staffing needs.
Students can reduce costs through ADN-to-BSN routes, public universities, employer tuition assistance, and hospital partnerships. Confirm state board approval, CCNE or ACEN accreditation, clinical placement availability, NCLEX pass rates, and extra fees for uniforms, testing, insurance, and background checks before enrolling.
Education Degrees
Education degrees can lead to stable careers but require careful debt planning because teacher pay varies by state, district, and grade level. Elementary school teachers had a BLS May 2024 median pay of $64,290, so borrowing should be kept conservative.
This degree fits students committed to classroom teaching, special education, instructional support, or education policy. Verify state licensure alignment, student-teaching placement quality, CAEP accreditation where relevant, and reciprocity if you may move. Public universities and community college transfer routes are often smarter than high-cost programs for this field.
Criminal Justice Degrees
Criminal justice degrees may be affordable because they are common at public and online universities, but career outcomes vary widely. The degree can support paths in law enforcement, corrections, probation, security management, victim advocacy, emergency management, or federal service.
It fits students who understand that many sworn roles have academy, physical, background, and civil-service requirements beyond the degree. To reduce debt risk, compare internships, local agency partnerships, and whether a more specialized major, such as cybersecurity, accounting, social work, or public administration, better fits your target role.
Engineering Degrees
Engineering degrees can justify higher tuition when students complete the program efficiently and enter a field with strong demand. Common undergraduate options include mechanical, electrical, civil, computer, industrial, and chemical engineering.
BLS May 2024 data lists civil engineers at a median pay of $99,590, with some engineering fields higher. Debt risk rises when students repeat prerequisite courses or extend beyond four years. Prioritize ABET-accredited programs, co-ops, paid internships, tutoring support, and transfer agreements that protect calculus, physics, and engineering sequence credits.
Which undergraduate majors typically lead to the lowest overall student debt?
The undergraduate majors that typically lead to the lowest overall student debt are not always the cheapest majors on paper. They are the majors that students can complete on time, at affordable institutions, with enough career clarity to avoid expensive program changes or unnecessary graduate study.
This comparison shows where low-debt potential often comes from and what to watch before choosing the major.
| Major area | Why debt can stay lower | Main caution |
| Nursing | Community college, ADN-to-BSN, and employer-supported pathways can reduce upfront cost. | Licensure, clinical capacity, and NCLEX outcomes matter more than convenience. |
| Information technology | Online, transfer-friendly, and certification-aligned programs can shorten time to completion. | Programs must include current hands-on labs, not only broad technology theory. |
| Business and accounting | Widely available at public colleges with flexible online and evening formats. | General business degrees may need internships or concentrations to stand out. |
| Engineering | Higher salary potential can offset moderate borrowing when completion is efficient. | Course sequencing can add semesters if transfer planning is weak. |
| Education | Public university pathways and state scholarships may reduce borrowing. | Teacher pay varies, so high-cost private programs require extra scrutiny. |
Students should be cautious with any major that usually requires graduate school for the intended job unless they have a realistic plan to fund both degrees. Psychology, biology, pre-law, and some arts programs can be excellent choices, but they require especially careful career and debt planning.
Tuition is only one part of bachelor's degree debt. Total borrowing depends on published price, net price after aid, fees, books, living costs, transportation, technology, lost income, and how long it takes to graduate.
College Board's 2024 figures show why institution choice matters: average published tuition and fees were $11,610 for in-state students at public four-year colleges, compared with $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year colleges. Those are sticker prices, not final net prices, but they show why residency, aid, and transfer strategy can reshape the debt picture.
The table below summarizes the biggest cost drivers and how they affect borrowing decisions.
| Cost factor | How it affects borrowing | What to compare |
| Tuition and mandatory fees | Sets the base academic price before aid. | Net price after grants, not only sticker tuition. |
| Program length | Extra semesters add tuition and living costs. | Four-year graduation rates and course availability. |
| Transfer credits | Accepted credits can reduce the number of courses needed. | Written degree audit before enrollment. |
| Living expenses | Housing, food, and commuting can exceed tuition at low-cost schools. | At-home, campus, and independent living budgets. |
| Program fees | Nursing, lab, technology, and clinical fees can add hidden cost. | Full fee schedule by semester. |
A practical borrowing estimate should follow a simple sequence before you commit to a school or major.
- Start with the school's net price calculator and use your household's real financial information.
- Add program-specific fees, books, equipment, exam costs, transportation, and realistic living expenses.
- Subtract grants, scholarships, employer aid, savings, and expected earnings from part-time work.
- Multiply the remaining yearly gap by the number of years you actually expect to attend, not the best-case timeline.
- Compare the projected monthly loan payment with entry-level salaries in your target location.
The most effective financial aid strategy is to reduce the amount you need to borrow before loans enter the picture. That means combining grants, lower-cost credits, employer support, and careful enrollment choices.
Use the following steps in order because each one can lower the amount that later becomes loan principal and interest.
- File the FAFSA as early as possible each year, even if you think your income is too high for need-based aid.
- Ask each college for its full aid offer, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loan amounts shown separately.
- Apply for departmental scholarships tied to your major, especially in nursing, education, STEM, public service, and accounting.
- Use community college, dual enrollment, CLEP, AP, military credit, or prior learning assessment only when credits will apply directly to your bachelor's plan.
- Consider employer tuition assistance, union education benefits, and paid internships that connect to your major.
- Borrow federal loans before private loans because federal loans usually provide stronger repayment protections.
For some learners, a shorter credential can be a lower-risk first step. Carefully chosen certificate programs online may help students build job-ready skills before or during a bachelor's degree, but they should not replace a degree when licensure or promotion requires one.
Common mistakes include accepting the maximum loan offered, ignoring renewal rules for scholarships, losing credits during transfer, and assuming private scholarships automatically reduce the amount you owe instead of replacing institutional aid. Always ask the financial aid office how outside awards affect your package.
Affordable degrees with strong salary potential usually share three traits: they teach marketable skills, connect to identifiable occupations, and can be completed without excessive extra semesters. Salary should not be treated as a promise, but occupational medians can help you compare risk.
The table below uses BLS May 2024 median pay data for selected roles commonly connected to undergraduate pathways. Use it as a starting point, then compare local wages and entry-level requirements in your state.
| Degree path | Related role | Median pay | Debt-smart fit |
| Computer science | Software developer | $133,080 | Best for students ready for rigorous programming, projects, and technical interviews. |
| Cybersecurity or IT | Information security analyst | $124,910 | Best when the program includes labs, certifications, and internships. |
| Nursing | Registered nurse | $93,600 | Best when the program is approved for licensure and has strong clinical support. |
| Accounting | Accountant or auditor | $81,680 | Best for students who may pursue CPA eligibility or specialized accounting roles. |
| Civil engineering | Civil engineer | $99,590 | Best when ABET accreditation and co-op opportunities are available. |
Students comparing 4 year degrees that pay well should look beyond median pay and ask whether they can finish the curriculum on time, access internships, meet licensing requirements, and handle the academic workload. A high-paying major becomes less affordable if it adds semesters or requires expensive remediation.
Online bachelor's programs can reduce student debt when they let students keep working, avoid relocation, use transfer credits, and pay in-state or flat-rate tuition. They can increase debt when students choose poorly supported programs, take longer to finish, or enroll in a program that does not meet licensure requirements.
This comparison highlights when each format may be the better financial fit.
| Format | Debt advantages | Debt risks | Best fit |
| Online bachelor's | Lower commuting and housing costs, flexible scheduling, easier work continuity. | Technology fees, weaker support, or limited clinical and internship placement. | Working adults, transfer students, caregivers, and self-directed learners. |
| Campus bachelor's | Direct access to labs, faculty, tutoring, networking, and campus recruiting. | Housing, transportation, meal plans, and relocation can raise total cost. | Students needing structured support, lab-heavy majors, or residential experiences. |
| Hybrid bachelor's | Balances flexibility with required labs, clinicals, or fieldwork. | Travel requirements can be unpredictable if not disclosed early. | Nursing, education, health sciences, and applied technology programs. |
For caregivers and working adults, online flexibility can be especially important; resources on degrees for moms going back to school can help identify program features that reduce schedule-related dropout risk. Before enrolling, confirm accreditation, state authorization, exam requirements, and whether online students receive the same advising and career services as campus students.
Accreditation and school quality directly affect debt because they influence credit transfer, financial aid eligibility, licensure, employer recognition, and graduate school options. A cheap program can become expensive if credits do not transfer or the credential does not qualify you for the job you want.
There are two main accreditation layers to check. Institutional accreditation applies to the college or university as a whole and is essential for federal financial aid. Programmatic accreditation applies to specific fields, such as ABET for engineering, CCNE or ACEN for nursing, CAEP for educator preparation, and AACSB or ACBSP for business programs where relevant.
Use these quality checks before you enroll because they reveal risks that tuition pages often hide.
- Confirm the school appears as accredited through a recognized accreditor and that the status is current.
- For licensed fields, verify approval with the state licensing board where you plan to work.
- Ask for graduation rates, retention rates, job placement data, licensure pass rates, and how those numbers are calculated.
- Request a written transfer evaluation before committing if you have prior credits.
- Review complaint history, teach-out risk, and whether the program has recently changed ownership or accreditation status.
Red flags include pressure to enroll immediately, unclear total cost, refusal to provide outcomes data, promises of guaranteed jobs, and programs that advertise licensure eligibility without naming the state or board requirements.
Public, private, and community college pathways can all minimize debt in the right circumstances. The best route depends on net price, aid, credit transfer, time to completion, and how well the program aligns with your target career.
The table below compares common four-year degree pathways from a debt-control perspective.
| Pathway | How it can reduce debt | Best use case | Watch for |
| Community college to public university | Lower first- and second-year tuition plus transfer agreements. | Students who can follow a mapped associate-to-bachelor's plan. | Credits that transfer as electives instead of major requirements. |
| In-state public university | Lower resident tuition and access to state grants. | Students who want a traditional four-year path with manageable cost. | Housing costs and limited course availability in high-demand majors. |
| Private nonprofit college with strong aid | Institutional grants may reduce net price below public options for some students. | Students receiving large renewable scholarships or need-based grants. | Scholarship renewal GPA rules and higher price after aid changes. |
| Online public university | Work-compatible schedules and possible flat-rate tuition. | Adult learners, military students, and transfer students. | State authorization, support quality, and proctored exam fees. |
Students who need flexibility should also compare accredited self-paced online courses with traditional semester courses. Self-paced options can reduce opportunity cost, but they work best for disciplined learners and should be verified for transferability before payment.
A smart pathway is usually the one with the lowest completed-degree cost, not the lowest first-semester bill. Ask each school to show exactly how your credits apply, how many credits remain, and which courses are offered each term.
Students can estimate total program cost and likely debt before choosing a major by building a full completion budget. This is more reliable than comparing tuition alone because it accounts for time, aid, living costs, and academic risk.
Follow these steps before committing to a school or changing majors.
- List every required course for the degree, including prerequisites, labs, clinicals, fieldwork, and capstone requirements.
- Ask whether each required course is offered every term, once per year, or only when enough students enroll.
- Use the net price calculator, then request a financial aid estimate that separates grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
- Add non-tuition costs such as books, software, uniforms, tools, exam fees, parking, childcare, and commuting.
- Estimate how many hours you can realistically work without delaying graduation.
- Compare expected borrowing with entry-level pay, local rent, and likely repayment amounts after graduation.
- Repeat the calculation for at least three schools or pathways before deciding.
The most common mistake is assuming the advertised four-year timeline applies to every student. If you enter needing developmental coursework, change majors, lose transfer credits, or cannot access required classes, your debt can rise even at a low-tuition school.
Students should also ask direct questions: What is the average credit load for graduates in this major? How many students finish on time? What happens if I fail a clinical, lab, or prerequisite course? Are internships paid? Can I pause enrollment without losing scholarship eligibility?
What repayment options and loan forgiveness programs benefit low-debt degree graduates?
Low-debt graduates still need a repayment plan. The best option depends on loan type, income, employer, family size, and whether the borrower works in public service. Federal loan rules can change, so borrowers should confirm current terms through their loan servicer before making long-term decisions.
These are the main repayment and forgiveness options to understand.
- Standard repayment usually has fixed payments over a set term and can minimize interest for borrowers who can afford the payment.
- Graduated or extended repayment may lower early payments but can increase total interest over time.
- Income-driven repayment bases payments on income and family size, which can help graduates in lower-paying public service or entry-level roles.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness may benefit qualifying borrowers who work full time for eligible government or nonprofit employers and make qualifying payments.
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness may help eligible teachers in qualifying low-income schools, though rules differ from Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- Employer repayment assistance can reduce balances faster, but employees should check tax treatment and service commitments.
Private student loans generally have fewer protections than federal loans, so refinancing federal loans into private loans should be approached carefully. A lower interest rate may look attractive, but it can remove access to federal repayment plans and forgiveness programs.
The strongest low-debt strategy is to borrow conservatively, avoid unnecessary private loans, keep records of qualifying employment, and review repayment options before the grace period ends.
Other Things You Should Know About
Check the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard for first-time, full-time graduation rates and median debt at graduation. A strong low-debt program usually shows debt under about $30,000 and a completion rate above 50% within 150% of normal program time.
No. A cheaper program can be a poor value if it lacks accreditation, delays graduation, does not support licensure, or has weak career outcomes. The better choice is the lowest total completed-degree cost for a credible program that fits your goal.
Yes. Changing majors can add prerequisites, delay graduation, and turn completed credits into electives. Before switching, ask for a new degree audit and compare the extra cost with the career benefit of the new major.
Many employers accept online degrees from accredited institutions, especially when the program has the same curriculum and transcript as the campus version. For licensed fields, confirm state approval and required in-person experiences before enrolling.
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