University of South Alabama ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at University of South Alabama costs about $38,704 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $41,307 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 6.1 years (20-year ROI: 226%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$38,704
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$6,307/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
6.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
226%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of South Alabama has a 65.5% acceptance rate and a 50.1% graduation rate. The median debt for graduates is $24,929, and 48.7% of students receive financial aid. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $46,120. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $41,307, and ten years after graduation, the median salary is $49,379.
The annual in-state tuition cost is $9,676. Based on the one-year post-graduation earnings, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.54. The five-year earnings result in a debt-to-income ratio of approximately 0.60. The ten-year earnings result in a debt-to-income ratio of approximately 0.51.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 0.5 years to break even on the tuition cost based on the one-year post-graduation earnings. The break-even timeline is approximately 0.6 years based on the five-year post-graduation earnings. The break-even timeline is approximately 0.5 years based on the ten-year post-graduation earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,676
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,929
Median Earnings (5yr)
$41,307
Graduation Rate
50%
Receive Financial Aid
49%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
Peer Comparison
226%
20yr ROI
123%
20yr ROI
178%
20yr ROI
37%
20yr ROI
282%
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.