Tuscaloosa, AL · Private University
Is The University of Alabama Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,221
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,900
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,200
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$132,800
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.78x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
73.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,150
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
The University of Alabama graduates earn $14,221 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 The University of Alabama ranked by graduate earnings
57 graduates
123 graduates
60 graduates
112 graduates
38 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at The University of Alabama
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At The University of Alabama, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $96,527) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $27,525) is $69,002/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $96,527 | 2.9x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $95,503 | 2.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $88,504 | 2.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $86,590 | 2.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $85,603 | 2.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,433 | 2.5x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $80,428 | 2.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $78,604 | 2.4x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $73,219 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,138 | 2.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,159 | 2.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,351 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $65,054 | 2.0x |
| Mathematics | $60,584 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,872 | 1.7x |
| Geography and Cartography | $55,745 | 1.7x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $54,063 | 1.6x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $51,899 | 1.6x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $50,456 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,056 | 1.5x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $50,044 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $49,146 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,390 | 1.4x |
| History | $47,167 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $47,102 | 1.4x |
| Social Work | $46,391 | 1.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,119 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,947 | 1.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,349 | 1.4x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $45,329 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,312 | 1.4x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $44,365 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $44,200 | 1.3x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $43,877 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $42,650 | 1.3x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $41,357 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $39,482 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $39,261 | 1.2x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services(1yr data) | $37,836 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,956 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,075 | 1.1x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $35,698 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $27,525 | 0.8x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | 1.78x | $59,221 | Good ROI |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 2.14x | $61,251 | Strong ROI |
| Mississippi State University | 1.94x | $51,513 | Good ROI |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 2.37x | $63,126 | Strong ROI |
| University of Houston | 2.81x | $62,377 | Strong ROI |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 1.57x | $63,742 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
The University of Alabama offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,221 10 years after starting — $14,221 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.5 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.