University of Alabama at Birmingham vs Tuskegee University: 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 109.3 years at Tuskegee University, on median earnings of $54,501 vs $49,641 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Tuskegee University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,749 | $35,013 |
| Total net cost | $74,996 | $140,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,501 | $49,641 |
| Median debt | $22,300 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | 109.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $47,824 | -$114,432 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Tuskegee University?
University of Alabama at Birmingham, at $18,749 a year after aid versus $35,013 — a gap of $16,264 a year, or $65,056 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 Tuskegee University graduates earn more?
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates report a median $54,501 ten years after entry, $4,860 more than the $49,641 at Tuskegee University. 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 Tuskegee University?
University of Alabama at Birmingham: its completers carry a median $22,300 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Tuskegee University, a difference of $4,700. 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 55% at Tuskegee 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.