Alabama A & M University vs Fortis Institute-Birmingham: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alabama A & M University comes closer — median earnings $40,628 against a $70,484 total, vs $32,886 at Fortis Institute-Birmingham. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama A & M University | Fortis Institute-Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,621 | $25,946 |
| Total net cost | $70,484 | $103,784 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,628 | $32,886 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $12,346 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,124 | -$413,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alabama A & M University or Fortis Institute-Birmingham?
Alabama A & M University, at $17,621 a year after aid versus $25,946 — a gap of $8,325 a year, or $33,300 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alabama A & M University or Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates earn more?
Alabama A & M University graduates report a median $40,628 ten years after entry, $7,742 more than the $32,886 at Fortis Institute-Birmingham. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Alabama A & M University or Fortis Institute-Birmingham?
Fortis Institute-Birmingham: its completers carry a median $12,346 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama A & M University, a difference of $18,654. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Fortis Institute-Birmingham, against 24% at Alabama A & M University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.