Alcorn State University vs Tougaloo College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alcorn State University comes closer — median earnings $36,421 against a $53,060 total, vs $34,724 at Tougaloo College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alcorn State University | Tougaloo College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,265 | $17,043 |
| Total net cost | $53,060 | $68,172 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,421 | $34,724 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $30,046 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$291,840 | -$340,892 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alcorn State University or Tougaloo College?
Alcorn State University, at $13,265 a year after aid versus $17,043 — a gap of $3,778 a year, or $15,112 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alcorn State University or Tougaloo College graduates earn more?
Alcorn State University graduates report a median $36,421 ten years after entry, $1,697 more than the $34,724 at Tougaloo College. 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, Alcorn State University or Tougaloo College?
Alcorn State University: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $30,046 at Tougaloo College, a difference of $3,046. 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 Alcorn State University, against 33% at Tougaloo College. 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.