The University of Alabama vs Spring Hill College: which has better ROI?
The University of Alabama has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,680 in 8.3 years versus 26 years at Spring Hill College, on median earnings of $59,221 vs $51,500 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Alabama | Spring Hill College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,420 | $20,449 |
| Total net cost | $89,680 | $81,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,221 | $51,500 |
| Median debt | $22,750 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 26 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $127,540 | -$18,996 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College?
Spring Hill College, at $20,449 a year after aid versus $22,420 — a gap of $1,971 a year, or $7,884 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College graduates earn more?
The University of Alabama graduates report a median $59,221 ten years after entry, $7,721 more than the $51,500 at Spring Hill 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, The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College?
The University of Alabama: its completers carry a median $22,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Spring Hill College, a difference of $4,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at The University of Alabama, against 52% at Spring Hill 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.