Auburn, AL · Private University
Is Auburn University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$65,337
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,536
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,944
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$135,776
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.93x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
79.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,897
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Auburn University graduates earn $20,337 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Auburn University ranked by graduate earnings
73 graduates
110 graduates
69 graduates
101 graduates
58 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Auburn University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Auburn University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $93,708) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $20,899) is $72,809/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $93,708 | 2.8x |
| Computer Engineering | $89,218 | 2.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $87,874 | 2.6x |
| Architectural Engineering | $87,633 | 2.6x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $87,182 | 2.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $83,801 | 2.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,548 | 2.5x |
| Industrial Engineering | $80,782 | 2.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $73,594 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,821 | 2.1x |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | $68,475 | 2.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,374 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,560 | 2.0x |
| Architecture | $66,363 | 2.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $64,841 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,285 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $62,091 | 1.8x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $61,483 | 1.8x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $60,671 | 1.8x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $56,984 | 1.7x |
| Marketing | $56,959 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $56,201 | 1.7x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $55,862 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,188 | 1.6x |
| Forestry | $52,321 | 1.5x |
| Sociology | $51,971 | 1.5x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,387 | 1.5x |
| Plant Sciences | $48,747 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,527 | 1.4x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $48,022 | 1.4x |
| Journalism | $46,832 | 1.4x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $46,150 | 1.4x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $45,966 | 1.4x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $45,588 | 1.3x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,087 | 1.3x |
| Environmental Design(1yr data) | $44,929 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,750 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,708 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,311 | 1.3x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $42,948 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $42,855 | 1.3x |
| Animal Sciences | $42,689 | 1.3x |
| History | $42,490 | 1.3x |
| Agriculture, General(1yr data) | $41,682 | 1.2x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $38,454 | 1.1x |
| Air Transportation(1yr data) | $35,856 | 1.1x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences(1yr data) | $29,884 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $20,899 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | 1.93x | $65,337 | Good ROI |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 1.88x | $60,249 | Good ROI |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | 1.78x | $62,177 | Good ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
| Clemson University | 1.81x | $71,513 | Good ROI |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 2.23x | $81,698 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Auburn University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $65,337 10 years after starting — $20,337 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.