Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, Alabama · Private Nonprofit · 62.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 6/100 · Poor Value
Stillman College is a historically Black liberal arts college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA, serving approximately 706 students. The data present a serious financial warning: the roiScore of 6 (Poor Value) is among the lowest in our database. Median earnings six years after enrollment are $24,900 — barely above the federal poverty line for a small family — while the median student debt is $29,067, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.167, meaning graduates owe more than a full year's earnings. The payback period is listed as 477.5 years, reflecting a situation where, at current earnings levels, loan repayment is effectively untenable for the median borrower. Only 25% of students complete their degree within the standard measurement window, and just 35.8% of borrowers are actively reducing their loan principal three years after leaving school. Nearly 76% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a heavily low-income student body. These figures demand candid evaluation: Stillman's HBCU mission and community significance are real, but the financial data suggest that students need substantial improvement in institutional support structures — particularly completion and post-graduation earnings — before the financial case for enrollment becomes defensible.
The data raises concerns about Stillman College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score6/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Debt-to-earnings1.17 - Advisors recommend total student debt stay below one year of salary (ratio under 1.0).
- 6-year graduation rate25.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Stillman College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,126/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $12,126/yr |
| Average net price | $15,258/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $61,032 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,421 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $24,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $29,067 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $308 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 25.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 706 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Stillman College is $12,126/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,258/year, or roughly $61,032 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,804/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,343/year.
The median graduate leaves with $29,067 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $308 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $35,421 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.17 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,804 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,955 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,841 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,872 |
| $110,001+ | $19,343 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Pell-eligible students (76% of enrollment) face a net price of approximately $14,804 for the lowest income bracket. Even at this relatively low cost, median post-graduation earnings of $24,900 and a 35.8% three-year repayment rate create genuine repayment hardship for the majority of borrowers. Students relying entirely on grants and family support to avoid debt are in the best position; those borrowing the median $29,067 face a debt-to-earnings ratio that signals high default risk.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students in the $48,001–$75,000 range face a net price of $20,841 — substantially higher than lower-income brackets despite presumably similar family financial resources. At four years that approaches $83,000 total, against median six-year earnings of $24,900. This combination is financially untenable for most middle-income families unless the student secures external scholarships or completes in the top earnings quartile.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income students would be paying out of pocket at rates of $15,000–$19,000 per year net, totaling $60,000–$77,000 for four years. At median earnings of $24,900, the financial calculus is negative regardless of family income level. Higher-income families considering Stillman are presumably motivated by mission, not financial return, and should stress-test the completion and earnings data before committing.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 22.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 35.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 26.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 29.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 62.3% |
| Enrollment | 706 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 76.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,164 |
Stillman accepts about 62% of applicants. No SAT or ACT score ranges are reported, suggesting holistic or open-access admissions for most applicants. The selectivity level is not the primary risk variable — the 25% completion rate is. Students and families should ask pointed questions about advising, retention programs, and financial aid continuity before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among peer HBCUs and small Southern private colleges such as Lane College and Wiley University, Stillman's completion rate of 25% and debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.167 place it at the most challenging end of the spectrum. Lane College and Wiley post similarly modest earnings but show somewhat higher completion rates. Any student comparing these institutions should prioritize the college with the strongest completion-support infrastructure, as the primary financial risk is leaving without a degree while carrying debt.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stillman College (this school) | 6 | $15,258 | $35,421 |
| Bennett College | 6 | $28,299 | $36,654 |
| Saint Augustine's University | 6 | $24,313 | $35,730 |
| Alabama State University | 5 | $20,435 | $34,502 |
| Mississippi Valley State University | 5 | $9,686 | $31,919 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
Stillman College may attract students who value its HBCU heritage, faith-based community, and proximity to the University of Alabama corridor in Tuscaloosa. Prospective students should be clear-eyed about the data: only one in four enrollees completes a degree, and median post-graduation earnings of $24,900 at six years fall below what many students earn without a degree. Students who can secure full grant coverage and have a concrete plan for degree completion represent the best-fit profile.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Stillman College. With a net cost of $15,258 per year and median graduate earnings of only $35,421 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 25.0% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $29,067 against $35,421 in earnings is concerning. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 exceeds the commonly recommended threshold. Major choice is critical here.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.