At $17,727/yr net price, University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates earn $54,501/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,501/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,727 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $70,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,501/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,501/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,300 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,816/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,876/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,310/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,913/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,326/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $169,894 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $130,034 | $48,950 |
| Systems Science and Theory. | Master | $122,038 | $35,696 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $111,769 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $99,737 | $109,751 |
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $96,457 | $164,956 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $95,215 | $41,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $89,564 | $41,000 |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $88,820 | $34,166 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $88,506 |
The Risk Factor
62.4% of students at University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UAB gives you a solid financial return with modest risk. A median debt of $22,300 against median earnings of $54,501 ten years out means your loan balance stays below one year of pay, which keeps repayment manageable for most graduates. The 62% graduation rate is the main catch: nearly four in ten students leave without a degree, and if you're one of them, you carry debt without the earnings to cover it.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Engineering is where UAB delivers. Electrical engineering graduates clear $70,000, and they take on almost the same debt as computer science majors who earn $10,000 less. Materials, mechanical, and civil engineering all land in the high $50,000s to mid $60,000s. If you're aiming for one of these programs, the numbers work strongly in your favor. Birmingham's healthcare and industrial base gives these degrees local demand.
The risk here is picking a major outside the engineering and computing cluster. The school-wide median of $54,501 sits well below the engineering figures, meaning plenty of other programs pull the average down. UAB doesn't list bachelor-level earnings for its humanities or social science degrees here, so treat those paths as unknowns and ask the department for placement data before you commit.
On price, the tiers are unusual: families earning under $30,000 pay about $14,800, only $6,500 less than families earning over $110,000 at $21,326. The aid doesn't scale steeply with income, so a lower-income family still faces a real bill. If you're in the middle-income tiers around $48,000 to $75,000, you pay close to the sticker $17,727 with little cushion.
UAB fits you if you're targeting engineering or computer science and can finish in four years. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-paying fields, weigh the completion risk carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham worth the cost?
UAB offers solid value with a net price of $17,727 and graduates earning $54,501 after 10 years, though the 62% graduation rate is concerning. The school excels in healthcare programs like dentistry and nursing that lead to six-figure salaries, making it worthwhile for students in these fields.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
Dentistry programs at UAB lead to the highest earnings, with advanced dentistry graduates earning around $169,894 and general dentistry graduates making $111,769. Nursing programs also pay well at $130,034, making healthcare the clear path to strong returns.
How much debt do University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates have?
UAB graduates leave with a median debt of $22,300, which is manageable given the $54,501 average salary 10 years after graduation. Students in high-paying healthcare programs can easily handle this debt load, but those in lower-earning fields may struggle more.
Does University of Alabama at Birmingham have good financial aid?
UAB's net price of $17,727 is reasonable for a public university, suggesting decent financial aid for most students. However, with an 86% acceptance rate and modest graduation rate, the school admits many students who may not be prepared for college-level work.