Talladega College
Talladega College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Talladega College Worth It?
At a value score of 22/100, Talladega College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $32,229 — 40% below average — while paying $15,560/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 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 $28,500 representing 88% 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 Talladega College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Talladega College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #11 of 42 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 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | United Tribes Technical College | 49 | $3,569 | $25,292 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #6 | Herzing University-Minneapolis | 34 | $16,670 | $36,909 |
| #11 | Talladega College | 22 | $15,560 | $32,229 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Talladega 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 Talladega College
The highest-earning program at Talladega College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $24,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Talladega College earns $24,700, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $24,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,560/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $24,700 | $24,700 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Talladega, AL
- Student Body
- 701 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,560
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $32,229
- Median Student Debt
- $28,500