University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Alabama at Birmingham at a Glance
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a public research university in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Founded in 1969 and part of the University of Alabama System, UAB has grown to be the state's largest employer, with more than 27,302 faculty and staff and over 53,000 jobs at the university. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
1969
57 years old
$1.0B
$1 billion
20,905
11,959 undergrad · 8,946 grad
3,278
636 acres
Identity
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham Worth It?
University of Alabama at Birmingham offers moderate value at $18,749/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,501, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Alabama at Birmingham compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #46 of 90 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 University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #46 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | 46 | $18,749 | $54,501 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Alabama at Birmingham's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in AL.
Best Programs at University of Alabama at Birmingham
The highest-earning program at University of Alabama at Birmingham is Engineering, General at $89,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $23,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from University of Alabama at Birmingham earns $89,000, while a History graduate earns $23,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,749/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $89,000 | $89,000 | N/A |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $66,000 | $66,000 | $25,000 |
| Materials Engineering | $60,200 | $60,200 | $24,504 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $57,200 | $57,200 | $22,270 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $56,900 | $56,900 | $27,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,800 | $55,800 | $29,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,700 | $54,700 | $18,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $51,300 | $51,300 | $27,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,800 | $43,800 | $23,640 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,400 | $41,400 | $26,827 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $40,600 | $40,600 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,400 | $40,400 | $23,717 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $35,800 | $35,800 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $35,800 | $35,800 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,600 | $34,600 | $25,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,600 | $30,600 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,400 | $29,400 | $26,500 |
| Sociology | $29,400 | $29,400 | $29,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,600 | $28,600 | $23,269 |
| Social Work | $28,200 | $28,200 | $23,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,300 | $26,300 | $21,474 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $24,750 |
| Psychology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $23,775 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,100 | $24,100 | $23,384 |
| History | $23,000 | $23,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Birmingham, AL
- Student Body
- 11,635 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,749
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,501
- Median Student Debt
- $22,300