The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Alabama at a Glance
The University of Alabama is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest and largest of the public universities in Alabama as well as the University of Alabama System. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
1820
206 years old
$2.6B
$2.59 billion (2025) (system-wide)
42,360
36,160 undergrad · 6,200 grad
1,986
1,970 acres
Identity
Is The University of Alabama Worth It?
The University of Alabama offers moderate value at $22,420/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,221, 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 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How The University of Alabama compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 32 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 Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | University of Illinois Chicago | 95 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| #3 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #4 | University of California-Riverside | 90 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| #5 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 87 | $16,778 | $69,020 |
| #6 | University of Delaware | 82 | $17,799 | $72,950 |
| #23 | The University of Alabama | 49 | $22,420 | $59,221 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Alabama's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at The University of Alabama
The highest-earning program at The University of Alabama is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $71,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $14,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from The University of Alabama earns $71,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $14,000. 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 $23,830 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,420/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 | $71,600 | $71,600 | $23,830 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $67,700 | $67,700 | $25,290 |
| Chemical Engineering | $64,700 | $64,700 | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,200 | $63,200 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $61,400 | $61,400 | $21,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $58,000 | $58,000 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,400 | $54,400 | $18,750 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $54,100 | $54,100 | $25,689 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $53,000 | $53,000 | $20,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,300 | $51,300 | $23,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,300 | $49,300 | $21,500 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $46,300 | $46,300 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $46,000 | $46,000 | $24,000 |
| Mathematics | $42,500 | $42,500 | $22,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,400 | $42,400 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $37,200 | $37,200 | $25,000 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $37,200 | $37,200 | $23,066 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,600 | $36,600 | $26,000 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $36,400 | $36,400 | $26,436 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,300 | $36,300 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,000 | $36,000 | $23,190 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $35,700 | $35,700 | $25,875 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,300 | $34,300 | $23,937 |
| Social Work | $33,900 | $33,900 | $24,675 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $31,600 | $31,600 | $26,750 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $30,500 | $30,500 | $26,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $29,800 | $29,800 | $23,235 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $24,659 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,300 | $28,300 | $23,125 |
| Journalism | $28,000 | $28,000 | $23,143 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,000 | $28,000 | $22,562 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,700 | $27,700 | $25,241 |
| History | $27,400 | $27,400 | $21,500 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $25,100 | $25,100 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $24,700 | $24,700 | $23,311 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $23,900 | $23,900 | $23,125 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,300 | $21,300 | $21,125 |
| Biology, General | $21,300 | $21,300 | $23,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $14,000 | $14,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Student Body
- 33,227 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,420
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,221
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750