Auburn University
Auburn University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Auburn University at a Glance
Auburn University is a public land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 27,900 undergraduate students, over 6,200 graduate students, and a total enrollment of more than 34,100 students with 1,435 faculty members, Auburn is the second-largest university in Alabama. It is one of the state's two flagship public universities. The university is one of 146 U.S. universities classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
1856
170 years old
$1.4B
$1.4 billion ( FY 2025)
34,195
34,145 undergrad · 6,141 grad
1,435
1,841 acres
150
Identity
How to Apply to Auburn University
Official admissions pageFebruary 1
February 1 (early action)
$50
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Auburn University Worth It?
Auburn University offers moderate value at $24,323/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $65,337, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Auburn University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 17 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 | California State University-Long Beach | 100 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| #2 | University of California-Davis | 100 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | University of Georgia | 100 | $13,936 | $68,726 |
| #5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 100 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| #6 | CUNY Hunter College | 100 | $2,984 | $63,163 |
| #17 | Auburn University | 54 | $24,323 | $65,337 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Auburn University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Auburn University
The highest-earning program at Auburn University is Chemical Engineering at $73,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from Auburn University earns $73,100, while a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General graduate earns $19,700. 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: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $23,145 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,323/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $73,100 | $73,100 | $23,145 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,000 | $65,000 | $20,278 |
| Architectural Engineering | $64,800 | $64,800 | $26,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $63,200 | $63,200 | $20,291 |
| Industrial Engineering | $62,500 | $62,500 | $22,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $61,700 | $61,700 | $22,237 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $60,000 | $60,000 | $19,338 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,700 | $55,700 | $22,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,200 | $55,200 | $21,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $52,800 | $52,800 | $19,500 |
| Architecture | $48,800 | $48,800 | $29,000 |
| International Business | $48,800 | $48,800 | $22,227 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,100 | $48,100 | $19,645 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,300 | $44,300 | $21,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $43,800 | $43,800 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,600 | $42,600 | $20,750 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,700 | $41,700 | $25,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $41,400 | $41,400 | $20,900 |
| Marketing | $39,900 | $39,900 | $18,375 |
| Plant Sciences | $38,500 | $38,500 | $19,392 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $36,800 | $36,800 | $22,250 |
| Animal Sciences | $36,400 | $36,400 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,900 | $35,900 | $20,000 |
| Journalism | $35,200 | $35,200 | $19,900 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,800 | $34,800 | $20,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,800 | $34,800 | $19,875 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,800 | $34,800 | $26,250 |
| Public Administration | $34,000 | $34,000 | $18,740 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $33,900 | $33,900 | $24,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,600 | $33,600 | $20,598 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $33,500 | $33,500 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,500 | $31,500 | $19,500 |
| Sociology | $31,000 | $31,000 | $20,500 |
| History | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $20,500 |
| Biology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $22,699 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,200 | $29,200 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $26,300 | $26,300 | $26,250 |
| Psychology, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $22,288 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $24,300 | $24,300 | $16,967 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,400 | $20,400 | $22,759 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $19,700 | $19,700 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Auburn, AL
- Student Body
- 26,816 students
- Admission Rate
- 46%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,323
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $65,337
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000