Alabama State University vs Fortis College-Montgomery: 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 $26,652 at Fortis College-Montgomery. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama State University | Fortis College-Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,435 | $21,006 |
| Total net cost | $81,740 | $84,024 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,502 | $26,652 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$358,900 | -$518,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or Fortis College-Montgomery?
Alabama State University, at $20,435 a year after aid versus $21,006 — a gap of $571 a year, or $2,284 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 Fortis College-Montgomery graduates earn more?
Alabama State University graduates report a median $34,502 ten years after entry, $7,850 more than the $26,652 at Fortis College-Montgomery. 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 Fortis College-Montgomery?
Fortis College-Montgomery: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Fortis College-Montgomery, 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.