At $22,150/yr net price, The University of Alabama graduates earn $59,221/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,221/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,150 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,221/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,221/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,592/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,928/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,056/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,396/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,773/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. | Doctoral | $119,061 | $35,680 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master | $91,744 | $45,195 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,412 | $29,740 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $80,004 | $33,500 |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $75,921 | $73,102 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,832 | $23,787 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Master | $74,017 | |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $71,643 |
The Risk Factor
73.7% of students at The University of Alabama graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 26% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The University of Alabama gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major. Median earnings ten years out sit near $59,000 against median debt of about $22,750, so a typical graduate walks away owing less than a single year's pay. That's a healthy ratio for a public school, and the 73.7% graduation rate plus 86% retention mean most people who start here actually finish and start earning.
Engineering is where the money is. Construction, electrical, and chemical engineering all clear $67,000 to $76,000, and they carry debt loads in the same $22,000 to $24,000 range as everyone else. You get the higher paycheck without paying more to get it. Management Information Systems is the outlier bargain: $71,000 in earnings on the lowest debt of the listed programs, around $21,375. If you're weighing majors purely on payoff, MIS and construction engineering do the most for the least.
The risk here is picking a major outside these fields. Only engineering and MIS earnings are listed, and those are the school's high performers. Alabama's regional economy leans on manufacturing, aerospace, and auto plants that hire these graduates directly, so those degrees translate into local jobs. A degree that doesn't feed that market will likely land you closer to or below the $59,000 median while carrying the same debt.
On cost, the net price barely moves with income. A family under $30,000 pays about $18,600. a family over $110,000 pays about $25,800. That $7,000 gap is small, so lower-income families should compare this against in-state options that discount more steeply. If you're aiming at engineering or MIS, Alabama pays off. If you're not, look hard at whether the earnings justify the price before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The University of Alabama worth the cost for most students?
Alabama offers decent value with a net price of $22,150 and graduates earning $59,221 after 10 years, though the 73% graduation rate means about 1 in 4 students don't finish. The relatively low median debt of $22,750 makes it more affordable than many state flagship universities.
What are the highest paying majors at The University of Alabama?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning around $90,000-$119,000, while legal studies graduates earn about $91,744. Business and management programs typically result in $80,000-$85,000 salaries, making these the best bets for return on investment.
How much debt do University of Alabama graduates typically have?
The median debt is $22,750, which is manageable compared to the $59,221 average earnings 10 years after graduation. This debt-to-income ratio suggests most graduates can reasonably pay off their loans.
Should out-of-state students consider The University of Alabama for value?
Out-of-state students face much higher costs than the $22,150 net price, which reflects significant in-state subsidies and financial aid. Unless you receive substantial merit aid or are pursuing one of the high-earning programs like nursing, out-of-state attendance may not provide strong ROI.