At $13,832/yr net price, University of West Alabama graduates earn $44,232/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,232/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,832 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,232/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,232/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,944 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,773/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,806/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,480/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,763/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,755/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $61,681 | $27,333 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $53,942 | $38,666 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,107 | $20,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $48,510 | $34,166 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $47,260 | $27,333 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $46,380 | $27,333 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $46,261 | $27,334 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $37,054 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $34,847 | $30,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $32,711 |
The Risk Factor
38.0% of students at University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama gives you a modest financial return with real risk attached. Median earnings ten years out sit at $44,232, which clears your median debt of $24,944 but leaves little cushion. This is a low-cost school where the danger is not the price tag but whether you finish and what you study.
The bigger warning sign is completion. Only 38% of students graduate, and just 61% come back for a second year. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry the debt without the earnings that make it work. That gap between the median outcome and the median student's experience is the core risk here.
The program data is sobering. The best-paying bachelor's field on the list, teacher education in specific subjects, brings in $37,054 a year. Business administration pays $34,847 but comes with $30,875 in debt, the highest on the list, which flips it from a decent bet into a shaky one. Psychology at $26,739 and interdisciplinary studies at $25,194 sit far below the school's overall median, so those paths pay back slowly if at all. None of the listed programs push early-career pay into comfortable territory.
Net price barely moves with income. Families earning under $30,000 pay $13,773, and families over $110,000 pay $16,755, so lower-income households get little discount and everyone pays close to full freight. There is no meaningful sticker relief for you if money is tight.
This school fits you if you want a teaching credential, live in west Alabama, and can finish in four years without heavy borrowing. Look elsewhere if you are drawn to business or psychology here, or if you are unsure you will graduate, because the odds and the payoff do not support taking on debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of West Alabama worth the cost for the return on investment?
University of West Alabama offers a mixed ROI with graduates earning $44,232 after 10 years against median debt of $24,944. The low graduation rate of 38% means many students accumulate debt without finishing their degree.
What programs at University of West Alabama have the best job prospects and salary potential?
Educational Administration leads UWA's salary outcomes at $61,681, followed by Student Counseling at $53,942 and Nursing at $52,107. These programs significantly outperform the overall graduate average of $44,232.
How much student debt do University of West Alabama graduates typically have?
UWA graduates carry a median debt of $24,944, which is manageable relative to the national average. However, the 38% graduation rate means many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Should I attend University of West Alabama if I'm concerned about financial outcomes?
UWA works best for students pursuing education or nursing programs, which offer stronger salary potential. Students in other majors face below-average earnings and significant completion risk given the low graduation rate.