University of Alabama at Birmingham — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Alabama at Birmingham charges a net price of $18,749/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $74,996. Graduates earn a median $54,501 ten years after entry, $6,141/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.2 years — a 20-year net return of $47,824, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Alabama at Birmingham's 12.2-year payback ranks #879 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 31% of them, and #6 of 54 in Alabama.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,749/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $74,996 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,501 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,141/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,300 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $47,824 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Alabama at Birmingham's own numbers. Net price $18,749 × 4 years = $74,996 total. Median earnings $54,501 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,141 a year of premium. $74,996 ÷ $6,141 = 12.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $47,824. 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with?
A median $22,300 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $54,501 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate?
64% finish their degree — 36% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $74,996 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $117,181 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Alabama at Birmingham expensive compared with other Alabama colleges?
Its $18,749 net price runs $4,181 above the $14,569 median across the 54 Alabama colleges we profile, or $16,722 more across the full degree.