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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Mobile comes closer — median earnings $43,611 against a $89,528 total, vs $34,502 at Alabama State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlabama State UniversityUniversity of Mobile
Net price / yr$20,435$22,382
Total net cost$81,740$89,528
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,502$43,611
Median debt$31,000$26,500
Payback
20-year net return-$358,900-$184,508

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

Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or University of Mobile?

Alabama State University, at $20,435 a year after aid versus $22,382 — a gap of $1,947 a year, or $7,788 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 University of Mobile graduates earn more?

University of Mobile graduates report a median $43,611 ten years after entry, $9,109 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 University of Mobile?

University of Mobile: its completers carry a median $26,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at University of Mobile, 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 University of Mobile: frequently asked questions

Is Alabama State University or University of Mobile a better value?
University of Mobile 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 University of Mobile?
Alabama State University: $20,435/yr net price after aid versus $22,382/yr at University of Mobile — a difference of $1,947 a year, or about $7,788 over four years.
Do Alabama State University or University of Mobile graduates earn more?
University of Mobile graduates earn a median $43,611 ten years after entry, versus $34,502 at Alabama State University — a $9,109 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.