University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of North Alabama at a Glance
The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university in Florence, Alabama, United States. It is the state's oldest university. Occupying a 130-acre (0.5 km2) campus in a residential section of Florence, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. The four cities compose a metropolitan area with a combined population of 140,000 people.
1830
196 years old
$54M
$54.4 million ( FY 2024)
10,000
7,662 undergrad · 2,542 grad
365
18:1 student:faculty
130 acres
Identity
Is University of North Alabama Worth It?
University of North Alabama offers moderate value at $12,170/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $45,415, which is 16% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 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.
How University of North Alabama compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #47 of 211 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #47 | University of North Alabama | 51 | $12,170 | $45,415 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of North Alabama's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in AL.
Best Programs at University of North Alabama
The highest-earning program at University of North Alabama is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $50,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $22,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of North Alabama earns $50,900, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $22,400. 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 $22,542 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,170/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 | $50,900 | $50,900 | $22,542 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $37,300 | $37,300 | $19,192 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,200 | $35,200 | $26,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $34,400 | $34,400 | N/A |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $33,600 | $33,600 | $26,675 |
| Marketing | $32,700 | $32,700 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,403 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,200 | $29,200 | $26,215 |
| Biology, General | $28,400 | $28,400 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $26,700 | $26,700 | $25,625 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $26,875 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $21,100 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other | $24,000 | $24,000 | $19,500 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $23,400 | $23,400 | $26,500 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $23,100 | $23,100 | $23,362 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $22,400 | $22,400 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Florence, AL
- Student Body
- 5,811 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,170
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,415
- Median Student Debt
- $22,077