University of South Alabama — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of South Alabama charges a net price of $17,648/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $70,592. Graduates earn a median $49,379 ten years after entry, $1,019/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 69.3 years — a 20-year net return of -$50,212, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of South Alabama's 69.3-year payback ranks #1,212 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 5% of them, and #10 of 54 in Alabama.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,648/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $70,592 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,379 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,019/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,929 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 69.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$50,212 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of South Alabama's own numbers. Net price $17,648 × 4 years = $70,592 total. Median earnings $49,379 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,019 a year of premium. $70,592 ÷ $1,019 = 69.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$50,212. 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 South Alabama students graduate with?
A median $24,929 in federal loans among completers, or 50% of the $49,379 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of South Alabama students graduate?
53% finish their degree — 47% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $70,592 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $133,192 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of South Alabama expensive compared with other Alabama colleges?
Its $17,648 net price runs $3,080 above the $14,569 median across the 54 Alabama colleges we profile, or $12,318 more across the full degree.