University of Alabama at Birmingham vs Jefferson State Community College: which has better ROI?
University of Alabama at Birmingham has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,996 in 12.2 years versus not at all at Jefferson State Community College, on median earnings of $54,501 vs $40,719 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Jefferson State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,749 | $9,086 |
| Total net cost | $74,996 | $18,172 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,501 | $40,719 |
| Median debt | $22,300 | $9,689 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $47,824 | -$170,992 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Jefferson State Community College?
Jefferson State Community College, at $9,086 a year after aid versus $18,749 — a gap of $9,663 a year, or $56,824 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Alabama at Birmingham or Jefferson State Community College graduates earn more?
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates report a median $54,501 ten years after entry, $13,782 more than the $40,719 at Jefferson 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 leaves students with less debt, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Jefferson State Community College?
Jefferson State Community College: its completers carry a median $9,689 in federal loans versus $22,300 at University of Alabama at Birmingham, a difference of $12,611. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at University of Alabama at Birmingham, against 26% at Jefferson State Community 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.