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

Public, Montgomery AL · vs · Public, Montevallo AL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Montevallo comes closer — median earnings $42,957 against a $70,732 total, vs $34,502 at Alabama State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlabama State UniversityUniversity of Montevallo
Net price / yr$20,435$17,683
Total net cost$81,740$70,732
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,502$42,957
Median debt$31,000$24,000
Payback
20-year net return-$358,900-$178,792

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

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

University of Montevallo, at $17,683 a year after aid versus $20,435 — a gap of $2,752 a year, or $11,008 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 Montevallo graduates earn more?

University of Montevallo graduates report a median $42,957 ten years after entry, $8,455 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 Montevallo?

University of Montevallo: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $7,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at University of Montevallo, 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 Montevallo: frequently asked questions

Is Alabama State University or University of Montevallo a better value?
University of Montevallo 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 Montevallo?
University of Montevallo: $17,683/yr net price after aid versus $20,435/yr at Alabama State University — a difference of $2,752 a year, or about $11,008 over four years.
Do Alabama State University or University of Montevallo graduates earn more?
University of Montevallo graduates earn a median $42,957 ten years after entry, versus $34,502 at Alabama State University — a $8,455 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.