At $25,157/yr net price, South University-Montgomery graduates earn $34,421/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $421/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,157 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,628 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,421/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$421/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 239 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 15.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,123 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,907/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,532/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,613 | $59,405 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,883 | $23,592 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $60,839 | $43,847 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $45,207 | $41,000 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $44,418 | $45,268 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,799 | $46,193 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $41,007 | $52,542 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,986 | $46,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $37,478 | $41,000 |
The Risk Factor
15.4% of students at South University-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
The financial return at South University-Montgomery is weak, and the risk sits mostly on the front end. You pay about $25,000 a year, but only 15% of students finish and just 29% come back for a second year. Most people who enroll here leave without a degree while still carrying the debt, and that is the single biggest financial danger of this school.
Nursing is the one program that clearly pays off. It graduates you into Montgomery's healthcare job market earning nearly $67,000 with debt under $24,000, meaning your loan is roughly a third of your first-year pay. That ratio works. Nothing else here comes close.
The other majors are a bad trade. Business and information science both leave you owing more than $45,000 while earning in the low $40,000s, so you borrow more than a full year of future salary for a smaller payoff. Criminal justice and health administration are worse: around $34,000 in earnings against $40,000-plus in debt. You would owe more than you make in a year for work that barely clears the school's overall median of $34,421.
The net price barely drops for lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you still pay about $24,900, and the $30-48k tier actually pays more. There is no meaningful discount here for having less money, so the sticker price is close to what you will actually owe.
This school makes financial sense only if you are set on nursing and confident you will finish. For any other major, or if there is any chance you drop out, the debt-to-earnings math does not hold, and a community college or public university nursing program would cost you far less for the same or better result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South University-Montgomery worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $25,157 annually and median earnings of just $34,421 ten years after graduation, South University-Montgomery offers poor return on investment for most students. The low 15% graduation rate makes it a risky financial choice.
What are the best paying programs at South University-Montgomery?
Nursing programs at South University-Montgomery offer the strongest earnings potential, with graduates earning $66,883 to $91,613 annually. Information Science and Health Administration programs also provide decent returns compared to the school's overall low earnings.
How much debt do South University-Montgomery graduates typically have?
South University-Montgomery graduates carry a median debt of $26,123, which is concerning given the low median earnings of $34,421. This debt-to-income ratio makes loan repayment challenging for many graduates.
What is the graduation rate at South University-Montgomery?
Only 15.4% of students graduate from South University-Montgomery, one of the lowest rates among colleges. This means most students leave with debt but no degree, making it a high-risk investment.