Gadsden State Community College vs Auburn University at Montgomery: which has better ROI?
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 $32,937 at Gadsden State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Gadsden State Community College | Auburn University at Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,515 | $13,224 |
| Total net cost | $14,060 | $52,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,937 | $44,391 |
| Median debt | — | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$322,520 | -$132,276 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Gadsden State Community College or Auburn University at Montgomery?
Gadsden State Community College, at $3,515 a year after aid versus $13,224 — a gap of $9,709 a year, or $38,836 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 Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn more?
Auburn University at Montgomery graduates report a median $44,391 ten years after entry, $11,454 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 33% at Auburn University at Montgomery. 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.