Spring Hill College
Spring Hill College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Spring Hill College at a Glance
Spring Hill College is a private Jesuit college in Mobile, Alabama, United States. It was founded in 1830 by Michael Portier, Bishop of Mobile. Along with being the oldest private college or university in the state of Alabama, it was the first Catholic college in the Deep South, is the fifth-oldest Catholic college in the United States, and is the third-oldest member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
1830
196 years old
927
790 undergrad · 137 grad
381 acres
Identity
Is Spring Hill College Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Spring Hill College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,500 — 4% below average — while paying $20,449/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 $27,000 representing 52% 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 Spring Hill College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Spring Hill College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #45 of 128 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #45 | Spring Hill College | 34 | $20,449 | $51,500 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Spring Hill College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in AL.
Best Programs at Spring Hill College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Spring Hill College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,449/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
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mobile, AL
- Student Body
- 782 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,449
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,500
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000