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University of South Alabama vs Samford University: which has better ROI?

Public, Mobile AL · vs · Private nonprofit, Birmingham AL

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Samford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,488 in 12.9 years versus 69.3 years at University of South Alabama, on median earnings of $58,469 vs $49,379 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of South AlabamaSamford University
Net price / yr$17,648$32,622
Total net cost$70,592$130,488
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,379$58,469
Median debt$24,929$19,500
Payback69.3 yrs12.9 yrs
20-year net return-$50,212$71,692

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of South Alabama or Samford University?

University of South Alabama, at $17,648 a year after aid versus $32,622 — a gap of $14,974 a year, or $59,896 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 South Alabama or Samford University graduates earn more?

Samford University graduates report a median $58,469 ten years after entry, $9,090 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 South Alabama or Samford University?

Samford University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $24,929 at University of South Alabama, a difference of $5,429. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Samford University, 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.

University of South Alabama vs Samford University: frequently asked questions

Is University of South Alabama or Samford University a better value?
Samford University. It clears its $130,488 net cost in about 12.9 years versus 69.3 years at University of South Alabama, on median earnings of $58,469 vs $49,379 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of South Alabama or Samford University?
University of South Alabama: $17,648/yr net price after aid versus $32,622/yr at Samford University — a difference of $14,974 a year, or about $59,896 over four years.
Do University of South Alabama or Samford University graduates earn more?
Samford University graduates earn a median $58,469 ten years after entry, versus $49,379 at University of South Alabama — a $9,090 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.