Degree Dividend
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Alabama State University vs Faulkner University: which has better ROI?

Public, Montgomery AL · vs · Private nonprofit, Montgomery AL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Faulkner University comes closer — median earnings $43,457 against a $88,340 total, vs $34,502 at Alabama State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlabama State UniversityFaulkner University
Net price / yr$20,435$22,085
Total net cost$81,740$88,340
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,502$43,457
Median debt$31,000$23,000
Payback
20-year net return-$358,900-$186,400

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or Faulkner University?

Alabama State University, at $20,435 a year after aid versus $22,085 — a gap of $1,650 a year, or $6,600 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 Faulkner University graduates earn more?

Faulkner University graduates report a median $43,457 ten years after entry, $8,955 more than the $34,502 at Alabama State University. 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 Faulkner University?

Faulkner University: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at Faulkner University, 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.

Alabama State University vs Faulkner University: frequently asked questions

Is Alabama State University or Faulkner University a better value?
Faulkner University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or Faulkner University?
Alabama State University: $20,435/yr net price after aid versus $22,085/yr at Faulkner University — a difference of $1,650 a year, or about $6,600 over four years.
Do Alabama State University or Faulkner University graduates earn more?
Faulkner University graduates earn a median $43,457 ten years after entry, versus $34,502 at Alabama State University — a $8,955 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.