The University of Alabama — ROI, Cost & Payback
The University of Alabama charges a net price of $22,420/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $89,680. Graduates earn a median $59,221 ten years after entry, $10,861/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8.3 years — a 20-year net return of $127,540, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
The University of Alabama's 8.3-year payback ranks #711 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 45% of them, and #5 of 54 in Alabama.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,420/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $89,680 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $59,221 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $10,861/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,750 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $127,540 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on The University of Alabama's own numbers. Net price $22,420 × 4 years = $89,680 total. Median earnings $59,221 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $10,861 a year of premium. $89,680 ÷ $10,861 = 8.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $127,540. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do The University of Alabama students graduate with?
A median $22,750 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $59,221 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of The University of Alabama students graduate?
73% finish their degree. Spread the $89,680 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $122,849 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is The University of Alabama expensive compared with other Alabama colleges?
Its $22,420 net price runs $7,852 above the $14,569 median across the 54 Alabama colleges we profile, or $31,406 more across the full degree.