University of Alabama at Birmingham vs University of South Alabama: 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 69.3 years at University of South Alabama, on median earnings of $54,501 vs $49,379 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,749 | $17,648 |
| Total net cost | $74,996 | $70,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,501 | $49,379 |
| Median debt | $22,300 | $24,929 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | 69.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $47,824 | -$50,212 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Alabama at Birmingham or University of South Alabama?
University of South Alabama, at $17,648 a year after aid versus $18,749 — a gap of $1,101 a year, or $4,404 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 University of South Alabama graduates earn more?
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates report a median $54,501 ten years after entry, $5,122 more than the $49,379 at University of South Alabama. 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 University of South Alabama?
University of Alabama at Birmingham: its completers carry a median $22,300 in federal loans versus $24,929 at University of South Alabama, a difference of $2,629. 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 53% at University of South Alabama. 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.