Auburn University at Montgomery
Auburn University at Montgomery — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Auburn University at Montgomery at a Glance
Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) is a public university in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Governed by the Auburn University Board of Trustees as a member of the Auburn University system, it was established by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1967. AUM offers more than 90 programs of study leading to bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. As of 2018, the university enrolled more than 5,200 students.
1967
59 years old
$24M
$24 million
5,211
4,091 undergrad · 982 grad
318
500 acres
Identity
Is Auburn University at Montgomery Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Auburn University at Montgomery is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,391 — 17% below average — while paying $13,224/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 34% 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 a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 56% 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 Auburn University at Montgomery has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Auburn University at Montgomery compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #103 of 139 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #103 | Auburn University at Montgomery | 29 | $13,224 | $44,391 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Auburn University at Montgomery's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Auburn University at Montgomery
The highest-earning program at Auburn University at Montgomery is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $53,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Auburn University at Montgomery earns $53,300, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $21,600. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $19,879 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,224/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $53,300 | $53,300 | $23,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,300 | $42,300 | $25,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,400 | $39,400 | $30,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,200 | $35,200 | $27,962 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $32,800 | $32,800 | $27,793 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,100 | $32,100 | $22,253 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,600 | $29,600 | $29,500 |
| Psychology, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $30,182 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $21,600 | $21,600 | $19,879 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Montgomery, AL
- Student Body
- 2,542 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,224
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,391
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000