At $11,024/yr net price, University of North Alabama graduates earn $45,415/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,415/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,024 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,096 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,415/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,415/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,077 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,309/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,613/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,901/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,907/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,273/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 | $70,680 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $66,461 | $27,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $56,415 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $53,064 | $21,761 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $45,500 | $21,958 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $21,375 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,776 | $23,250 |
The Risk Factor
54.0% of students at University of North Alabama graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of North Alabama gives you a low-cost degree with modest but reliable payoff. At roughly $11,000 a year in net price and median debt near $22,000, you take on less debt than a single year's median earnings ten years out. That keeps the downside small even if your major doesn't pay top dollar.
Your best financial bets are clear. Computer and Information Sciences and Nursing both clear $53,000, and nursing does it while keeping debt under $22,000, so it carries the strongest debt-to-earnings ratio on the list. Computer science pays the most but comes with $27,000 in debt, the highest of any program here. Chemistry lands in the middle. Accounting and Mathematics sit under $40,000, which is weak for degrees that usually reward quantitative skills, so treat those as fields where you'll likely need graduate work or a move to a larger job market to see real returns.
The main risk is completion. Only about half of students finish, and a quarter drop off after the first year. If you borrow and leave without the degree, you carry debt with no credential to pay it back. That is the single biggest financial danger at this school.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families the most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $8,000 a year. But the jump is steep: families in the $48,000-$75,000 band pay about $11,900, and above $75,000 you pay roughly $14,000-$15,000, more than double the lowest tier.
This is a good fit for you if you're staying in northern Alabama, want low debt, and plan on nursing or computer science. Look elsewhere if you're set on accounting or math and expecting those degrees alone to pay well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of North Alabama worth the cost?
University of North Alabama offers reasonable value with a low net price of $11,024 and median debt of $22,077, but the 10-year median earnings of $45,415 are below average for college graduates. The school works best for nursing students who earn significantly more than other majors.
What are the best paying majors at University of North Alabama?
Nursing programs at University of North Alabama lead to the highest earnings, with graduates making around $70,680 annually. Business administration graduates earn about $66,461, while computer science majors make $56,415.
How much debt do University of North Alabama graduates have?
University of North Alabama graduates leave with a median debt of $22,077, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with median earnings of $45,415, graduates outside of nursing and business may struggle with loan payments.
Does University of North Alabama have good graduation rates?
University of North Alabama has a 54% graduation rate, which is below the national average for four-year colleges. This means nearly half of students who start at UNA don't finish their degree.