Alabama State University vs George C Wallace State Community College-Selma: 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 $31,598 at George C Wallace State Community College-Selma. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama State University | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,435 | $9,272 |
| Total net cost | $81,740 | $37,088 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,502 | $31,598 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$358,900 | -$372,328 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or George C Wallace State Community College-Selma?
George C Wallace State Community College-Selma, at $9,272 a year after aid versus $20,435 — a gap of $11,163 a year, or $44,652 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 George C Wallace State Community College-Selma graduates earn more?
Alabama State University graduates report a median $34,502 ten years after entry, $2,904 more than the $31,598 at George C Wallace State Community College-Selma. 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 graduates more of its students?
41% of students finish at George C Wallace State Community College-Selma, 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.