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University of South Alabama vs Spring Hill College: which has better ROI?

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

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

The verdict

Spring Hill College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $81,796 in 26 years versus 69.3 years at University of South Alabama, on median earnings of $51,500 vs $49,379 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of South AlabamaSpring Hill College
Net price / yr$17,648$20,449
Total net cost$70,592$81,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,379$51,500
Median debt$24,929$27,000
Payback69.3 yrs26 yrs
20-year net return-$50,212-$18,996

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

Which is cheaper, University of South Alabama or Spring Hill College?

University of South Alabama, at $17,648 a year after aid versus $20,449 — a gap of $2,801 a year, or $11,204 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 Spring Hill College graduates earn more?

Spring Hill College graduates report a median $51,500 ten years after entry, $2,121 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 Spring Hill College?

University of South Alabama: its completers carry a median $24,929 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Spring Hill College, a difference of $2,071. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at University of South 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.

University of South Alabama vs Spring Hill College: frequently asked questions

Is University of South Alabama or Spring Hill College a better value?
Spring Hill College. It clears its $81,796 net cost in about 26 years versus 69.3 years at University of South Alabama, on median earnings of $51,500 vs $49,379 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of South Alabama or Spring Hill College?
University of South Alabama: $17,648/yr net price after aid versus $20,449/yr at Spring Hill College — a difference of $2,801 a year, or about $11,204 over four years.
Do University of South Alabama or Spring Hill College graduates earn more?
Spring Hill College graduates earn a median $51,500 ten years after entry, versus $49,379 at University of South Alabama — a $2,121 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.