Troy University
Troy University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Troy University at a Glance
Troy University is a public university in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School within the Alabama State University System and is now the flagship university of the Troy University System. It was one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state un…
1887
139 years old
$168M
$168.3 million (2025)
14,156
820 acres
Identity
Is Troy University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Troy University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,062 — 22% below average — while paying $16,527/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 48% 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 a 96% 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 59% 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 Troy University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Troy University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #89 of 124 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #5 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #89 | Troy University | 31 | $16,527 | $42,062 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Troy University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in AL.
Best Programs at Troy University
The highest-earning program at Troy University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $54,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $19,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Troy University earns $54,400, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $19,300. 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 $27,843 in median debt vs. $25,125 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,527/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 | $54,400 | $54,400 | $27,843 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $45,500 | $45,500 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,400 | $40,400 | $31,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $37,800 | $37,800 | $30,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,100 | $37,100 | $25,105 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,000 | $36,000 | $28,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $25,672 |
| Social Sciences, General | $34,200 | $34,200 | $31,000 |
| Marketing | $32,400 | $32,400 | N/A |
| History | $32,300 | $32,300 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,100 | $32,100 | $30,500 |
| Mathematics | $30,700 | $30,700 | $23,710 |
| Social Work | $30,100 | $30,100 | $29,668 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,500 | $27,500 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $29,531 |
| Sociology | $26,500 | $26,500 | $30,955 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | $26,400 | $26,400 | $27,866 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,200 | $25,200 | $25,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25,100 | $25,100 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $22,900 | $22,900 | $24,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $22,200 | $22,200 | $23,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,900 | $21,900 | $26,489 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,300 | $19,300 | $25,125 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Troy, AL
- Student Body
- 9,805 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,527
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,062
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000