Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 28.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 30.2%
- Retention Rate
- 60.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $34,502
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $31,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 21.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $329/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $77,872 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,717 | $50,483 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $47,729 | $54,592 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $31,187 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,526 | $32,250 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $28,960 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $31,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $28,055 | $33,188 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $25,967 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $31,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $32,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Bachelor | $23,869 | $32,750 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $23,579 | $29,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $23,207 | $32,250 |
Outcomes Overview
Alabama State graduates face significant financial challenges after college. With median debt of $31,000 and median earnings of $34,502 ten years out, graduates carry a debt-to-earnings ratio of 90%, well above the recommended 40% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $329 consume nearly 11% of typical graduate income. Only 22% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on schedule. Many ASU alumni pursue careers in education, social work, and public service, fields that offer meaningful work but modest salaries. The historically black university provides valuable opportunities for first-generation college students, with 72% receiving Pell Grants. However, the combination of high debt burdens and lower-than-average earnings creates a weak return on investment for most graduates.