The University of Alabama ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$47,600
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$17,233/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
624%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Alabama's in-state tuition costs $11,900 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $47,722. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $52,233, and after ten years, the median salary is $59,221. The median debt for graduates is $22,750.
The university has a graduation rate of 73.2% and a retention rate of 86.1%. A total of 33.6% of students receive financial aid.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$52,233
Graduation Rate
73%
Receive Financial Aid
34%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | $65,054 | 1163% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $104,997 | 2841% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,138 | 1460% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $127,169 | 3773% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,433 | 1935% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $54,063 | 701% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,473 | 1853% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $57,655 | 852% |
| Psychology, General | $39,261 | 79% |
| Social Work | $47,974 | 445% |
| Biology, General | $42,650 | 221% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,390 | 421% |
Peer Comparison
624%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
797%
20yr ROI
467%
20yr ROI
949%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.