Gadsden State Community College vs Alabama State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Gadsden State Community College comes closer — median earnings $32,937 against a $14,060 total, vs $34,502 at Alabama State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Gadsden State Community College | Alabama State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,515 | $20,435 |
| Total net cost | $14,060 | $81,740 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,937 | $34,502 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$322,520 | -$358,900 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Gadsden State Community College or Alabama State University?
Gadsden State Community College, at $3,515 a year after aid versus $20,435 — a gap of $16,920 a year, or $67,680 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Gadsden State Community College or Alabama State University graduates earn more?
Alabama State University graduates report a median $34,502 ten years after entry, $1,565 more than the $32,937 at Gadsden State Community 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 graduates more of its students?
38% of students finish at Gadsden State Community College, 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.