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University of North Alabama delivers the most affordable finance education in Alabama at just $11,024 net cost, nearly $12,000 less than Auburn University's program. This price gap reflects Alabama's mix of regional universities and flagship institutions serving students bound for careers in the state's expanding aerospace and automotive sectors. Earnings data reveals surprising variations, with University of Alabama graduates earning $52,643 annually while Jacksonville State graduates start at $35,060. Alabama's finance programs serve a state where Hyundai Motor Manufacturing and Airbus U.S. Manufacturing create demand for financial analysts and corporate finance professionals. The 16 programs span from small regional campuses to major research universities, with graduation rates ranging from 28.7% at Alabama A&M to nearly 80% at Auburn and Samford. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with 13 of the 15 cheapest options being state institutions.
16
Programs
$11,024 – $32,977
Net Price Range
$43,841
Avg. Program Earnings
53.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
2 $13,832 $10,990 38.0% 68.9%
3 $13,869 $9,792 46.8% 94.8%
4 $13,889 $11,248 30.2% 96.6%
5 $14,559 $10,024 28.7% 68.4%
6 $14,596 $9,436 35.7% 92.2%
7 $14,850 $12,426 51.1% 78.5%
8 $15,142 $9,676 52.6% 65.4%
9 $17,053 $13,710 49.4% 59.8%
10 $17,727 $8,832 62.4% 86.7%
11 $19,880 $11,770 61.9% 78.1%
12 $22,150 $11,900 73.7% 80.1%
13 $23,384 $21,838 49.9% 68.1%
14 $23,897 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
15 $30,795 $38,144 79.9% 83.3%
16 $32,977 $23,440 57.1% 29.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $21,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of North Alabama's $11,024 net cost reflects its regional focus and lower overhead, while Samford University's $30,795 represents private education with smaller class sizes. Public universities benefit from state funding, keeping 13 of the 15 most affordable spots under $20,000. The middle tier shows Auburn at $23,897 and Alabama's flagship at $22,150, positioning themselves between regional accessibility and research university resources.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Alabama finance programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger completion rates, with Samford at 79.9% and Auburn at 79.2% leading the field. However, University of Alabama at Birmingham breaks this pattern with a 62.4% graduation rate at just $17,727 net cost. Alabama A&M shows the lowest completion rate at 28.7% despite moderate costs, while Alabama State graduates 30.2% of finance students.

Is there a significant earnings premium for graduates from more expensive Alabama finance programs?

University of Alabama and Samford graduates earn over $52,000 annually, justifying their higher costs through stronger career outcomes. However, University of Montevallo delivers $44,384 earnings at just $17,053 net cost, offering solid return on investment. Jacksonville State shows the lowest reported earnings at $35,060, while Auburn at Montgomery reaches $41,193 despite moderate program costs.

Where do Alabama finance graduates typically find employment given the state's economic market?

Alabama's aerospace corridor, anchored by Airbus in Mobile and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, creates corporate finance opportunities. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing and other automotive companies need financial analysts for operations management. Birmingham's banking sector and Montgomery's government finance roles provide traditional career paths, while Huntsville's tech growth offers emerging fintech positions for recent graduates.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.