Degree Dividend
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Auburn University at Montgomery vs Herzing University-Birmingham: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Auburn University at Montgomery comes closer — median earnings $44,391 against a $52,896 total, vs $36,909 at Herzing University-Birmingham. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAuburn University at MontgomeryHerzing University-Birmingham
Net price / yr$13,224$19,651
Total net cost$52,896$39,302
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,391$36,909
Median debt$25,000$21,500
Payback
20-year net return-$132,276-$268,322

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

Which is cheaper, Auburn University at Montgomery or Herzing University-Birmingham?

Auburn University at Montgomery, at $13,224 a year after aid versus $19,651 — a gap of $6,427 a year, or $13,594 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Auburn University at Montgomery or Herzing University-Birmingham graduates earn more?

Auburn University at Montgomery graduates report a median $44,391 ten years after entry, $7,482 more than the $36,909 at Herzing University-Birmingham. 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, Auburn University at Montgomery or Herzing University-Birmingham?

Herzing University-Birmingham: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Auburn University at Montgomery, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

33% of students finish at Auburn University at Montgomery, against 13% at Herzing University-Birmingham. 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.

Auburn University at Montgomery vs Herzing University-Birmingham: frequently asked questions

Is Auburn University at Montgomery or Herzing University-Birmingham a better value?
Auburn University at Montgomery 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, Auburn University at Montgomery or Herzing University-Birmingham?
Auburn University at Montgomery: $13,224/yr net price after aid versus $19,651/yr at Herzing University-Birmingham — a difference of $6,427 a year, or about $13,594 over four years.
Do Auburn University at Montgomery or Herzing University-Birmingham graduates earn more?
Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn a median $44,391 ten years after entry, versus $36,909 at Herzing University-Birmingham — a $7,482 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.