At $14,596/yr net price, Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn $44,391/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,391/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,596 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,384 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,391/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,391/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,999/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,645/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,689/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,249/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,075/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $63,997 | $27,373 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $56,641 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $53,269 | $17,245 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,478 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $46,087 | $30,750 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $45,314 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $24,418 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $41,937 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $41,193 |
The Risk Factor
35.7% of students at Auburn University at Montgomery 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
Auburn University at Montgomery gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky, and the risk is mostly about finishing. A 35.7% graduation rate and 65.8% retention mean roughly a third of your class comes back for year two but never crosses the finish line, and if you leave with debt and no degree, the numbers stop working entirely.
Nursing is the clear payoff here. It pays the most of any program on the list and does it with the lowest debt, so you walk out earning real money without a heavy loan balance. That combination is rare and worth targeting if you can get into it.
The middle programs are where you need to think harder. Clinical lab science pays a decent salary but carries the full $25,000 median debt load, and criminal justice lands in the same debt neighborhood with lower pay. Business and finance sit at the bottom of this list for earnings, so those degrees here buy you a modest return, not a strong one.
The bigger caution is that AUM's overall median earnings a decade out are lower than what its top programs pay. That gap tells you the typical graduate is not landing in nursing or lab work, and many degrees here return less than the flagship programs suggest.
On price, the tiers are close together across incomes, which is unusual. Families earning under $30k pay only slightly less than families over $110k, so lower-income families get little discount for their income. If you are coming from a low-income household, run your specific aid offer before assuming this is affordable.
This school fits you if you commit to nursing and finish. If you are undecided or drawn to the lower-paying majors, weigh cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn University at Montgomery worth the cost?
Auburn University at Montgomery offers a relatively affordable education at $14,596 per year, but graduates earn only $44,391 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The low 36% graduation rate means many students don't finish their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Auburn University at Montgomery?
Educational Administration pays the highest at $64,000, followed by general business at $56,641 and nursing at $53,269. These programs offer better returns than the school average, though still modest compared to other universities.
How much debt do Auburn University at Montgomery students graduate with?
Median student debt is $25,000, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. However, with starting salaries around $44,000, debt payments could strain budgets for the first few years after graduation.
Does Auburn University at Montgomery have good job placement?
The 36% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, which raises concerns about academic support and job preparation. The school's 92% acceptance rate indicates low selectivity, which can impact employer perception and networking opportunities.