At $13,889/yr net price, Alabama State University graduates earn $34,502/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $502/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,889 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,556 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,502/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$502/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 110.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,512/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,047/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,155/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,771/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,863/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
30.2% of students at Alabama State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Alabama State University leaves you in a tough financial spot. Ten years after enrolling, median earnings sit at $34,502 , below what many workers earn without a degree , while median debt hits $31,000. That combination means you could spend a decade paying down loans that your paycheck barely supports.
Business Administration is the only program here that clears meaningful ground, at roughly $39,000 a year. Teacher Education lands near the school median. After that, the returns fall off fast: Chemistry, Criminal Justice, and Social Work all pay under $29,000, and Social Work carries the heaviest debt load of any listed program at over $33,000. A chemistry degree paying $28,960 is a warning sign, since science majors usually earn more. If you enroll here, Business is the safest bet by a wide margin, and the helping-profession majors will stretch your budget thin against their debt.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 30% of students graduate, and 40% don't return after their first year. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earning power , the worst outcome the numbers point to.
The net price tiers hold an odd twist: families earning over $110k pay the least, around $11,863, while everyone from $30k to $110k pays $14,000 to $15,800. If your family earns under $30k, you'll still owe about $13,500 a year, real money against these earnings.
This school makes financial sense if you commit to Business Administration, borrow as little as possible, and are confident you'll graduate. If you're drawn to social work, criminal justice, or chemistry, or you're unsure about finishing, the debt-to-earnings math here should push you to compare other options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alabama State University worth the cost?
Alabama State University's value depends heavily on your major choice. With median earnings of $34,502 ten years after graduation and typical debt of $31,000, the return is weak for most programs except rehabilitation therapy, which pays around $77,000.
What are the best paying majors at Alabama State University?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions offer the strongest return at Alabama State University, with graduates earning around $77,000 annually. Teacher education programs pay about $50,000, while business graduates typically earn $39,000.
Is Alabama State University a good financial investment?
Alabama State University presents high financial risk with a 30% graduation rate and modest post-graduation earnings. The $31,000 median debt load is concerning given that most graduates earn less than $40,000 annually.
How much debt do Alabama State University graduates have?
Alabama State University graduates carry a median debt of $31,000. With average earnings of $34,502 after ten years, this debt burden represents nearly a full year's salary for typical graduates.