Alabama State University vs Central Alabama Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alabama State University comes closer — median earnings $34,502 against a $81,740 total, vs $33,506 at Central Alabama Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama State University | Central Alabama Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,435 | $15,996 |
| Total net cost | $81,740 | $63,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,502 | $33,506 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,766 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$358,900 | -$361,064 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or Central Alabama Community College?
Central Alabama Community College, at $15,996 a year after aid versus $20,435 — a gap of $4,439 a year, or $17,756 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 State University or Central Alabama Community College graduates earn more?
Alabama State University graduates report a median $34,502 ten years after entry, $996 more than the $33,506 at Central Alabama Community College. 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 State University or Central Alabama Community College?
Central Alabama Community College: its completers carry a median $9,766 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $21,234. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at Central Alabama Community College, against 30% at Alabama State 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.