Best Colleges in Alabama by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Alabama? We ranked all 26 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Auburn University comes out on top at 76/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 26 Alabama colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 32/100, on an average net price of $19,625 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Auburn University at 76/100.
Graduates of Auburn University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $65,337. The lightest price tag belongs to University of North Alabama at $12,170 a year. The list below ranks every Alabama college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Alabama Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · PublicNet price$24,323/yrMedian earnings$65,33776ROI
- 2University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · PublicNet price$18,796/yrMedian earnings$61,76769ROI
- 3Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL · Private For-ProfitNet price$14,580/yrMedian earnings$63,53469ROI
- 4The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · PublicNet price$22,420/yrMedian earnings$59,22164ROI
- 5Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL · Private NonprofitNet price$32,622/yrMedian earnings$58,46962ROI
- 6University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL · PublicNet price$18,749/yrMedian earnings$54,50155ROI
- 7Spring Hill CollegeMobile, AL · Private NonprofitNet price$20,449/yrMedian earnings$51,50041ROI
- 8University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL · PublicNet price$12,170/yrMedian earnings$45,41538ROI
- 9Heritage Christian UniversityFlorence, AL · Private NonprofitNet price$15,426/yrMedian earnings$42,59737ROI
- 10University of South AlabamaMobile, AL · PublicNet price$17,648/yrMedian earnings$49,37937ROI
Alabama College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Alabama?
Auburn University has the highest ROI score in Alabama at 76/100, while the lowest net price among Alabama schools we track is $12,170/year at University of North Alabama. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Alabama?
The average net price across the 26 Alabama colleges in our dataset is $19,625 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Alabama college has the highest graduate earnings?
Auburn University reports the highest median earnings among Alabama schools we scored, at $65,337 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Alabama did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 26 colleges in Alabama on return on investment. Of those, 5 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Alabama Schools by ROI Score
26 schools
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
Spring Hill College
Mobile, AL
University of North Alabama
Florence, AL
Heritage Christian University
Florence, AL
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL
Huntingdon College
Montgomery, AL
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL
Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery, AL
University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL
University of Montevallo
Montevallo, AL
University of Mobile
Mobile, AL
Troy University
Troy, AL
Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL
Oakwood University
Huntsville, AL
Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL
Talladega College
Talladega, AL
South University-Montgomery
Montgomery, AL
Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama State University
Montgomery, AL
Miles College
Fairfield, AL
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release