Alabama A & M University
Alabama A & M University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Alabama A & M University Worth It?
At a value score of 15/100, Alabama A & M University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,628 — 24% below average — while paying $17,621/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 26% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $31,000 representing 76% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Alabama A & M University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Alabama A & M University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #97 of 102 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #97 | Alabama A & M University | 15 | $17,621 | $40,628 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Alabama A & M University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Alabama A & M University
The highest-earning program at Alabama A & M University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $54,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $23,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Alabama A & M University earns $54,500, while a Biology, General graduate earns $23,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $34,809 in median debt vs. $34,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,621/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $54,500 | $54,500 | $34,809 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,300 | $54,300 | $36,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $45,800 | $45,800 | $36,928 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,600 | $36,600 | $34,648 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $25,400 | $25,400 | $31,505 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $24,000 | $24,000 | $29,956 |
| Biology, General | $23,800 | $23,800 | $34,000 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Normal, AL
- Student Body
- 6,124 students
- Admission Rate
- 58%
- Graduation Rate
- 26%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,621
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,628
- Median Student Debt
- $31,000