Troy University
Troy, Alabama · Public · 96.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 22/100 · Poor Value
Troy University earns a 22 ROI score and a Poor Value tier rating, a result that combines genuinely affordable in-state pricing with persistently weak schoolwide earnings outcomes. In-state tuition is $10,176 (out-of-state $20,352), and the net price after aid is $16,527 -- noticeably higher than sticker, reflecting heavy room-board and living costs in the COA calculation. Four-year cost lands at $66,108. Median earnings six years out are just $34,300, climbing modestly to $42,062 by year ten -- a soft 11 percent earnings premium. The 0.729 debt-to-earnings ratio and 29.2-year payback are heavy. Completion at 50.3 percent is middling, but the 56.4 percent five-year repayment rate is the most concerning operational data point: a meaningful share of borrowers struggle. Strong nursing, computer-science, and a notable Science/Technology/Society program partially offset, but most other majors land in C/D ROI territory. Troy is best understood as an affordable Alabama public regional whose cost-controlled model is undermined by weak earnings outcomes for most majors.
The data raises concerns about Troy University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score22/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period29.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Troy University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,176/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,352/yr |
| Average net price | $16,527/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $66,108 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,062 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 29.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 50.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,805 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Troy University is $10,176/year ($20,352/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,527/year, or roughly $66,108 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,656/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,139/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,062 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.73 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $12,656 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,042 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,321 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,406 |
| $110,001+ | $22,139 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Lowest-income families pay $12,656 net annually -- with the $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually paying slightly less at $12,042, a mild inversion. Roughly $51,000 over four years for Pell-eligible students against $34K six-year earnings is a manageable but real debt risk. The nursing pipeline is the clearest path to positive ROI for low-income students at Troy.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets pay $12,042 ($30K-$48K), $14,321 ($48K-$75K), and $18,406 ($75K-$110K) -- a meaningful jump for the upper-middle band. Annual costs remain reasonable, but the cost-to-outcome math is limited by the school's weak earnings profile. Middle-income Alabama families should compare Troy carefully against Auburn, Alabama, and UAB if academically prepared.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families pay $22,139 net annually -- nearly $89,000 over four years. With median 10-year earnings of $42,062, the math is genuinely difficult unless the student lands in nursing or computer science. Wealthier in-state families would likely see better long-term value at Auburn, Alabama, or UAB.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Troy University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,472 | C |
| Psychology | $44,102 | D |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $34,238 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $78,785 | B |
| Teacher Education | $49,195 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,317 | C |
| Social Work | $45,789 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $79,492 | C+ |
| Biology | $46,934 | D |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $44,859 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Troy's flagship-earnings program with 145 graduates, posting first-year earnings of $66,344 climbing to $78,785 by year four. Median debt of $25,000 produces a healthy 0.377 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B ROI grade. Career paths flow into Alabama and Florida Panhandle hospital systems, with strong absorption capacity. This is the program that does the heaviest lifting on the school's overall value proposition.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences graduates 101 students with $58,407 first-year and $79,492 four-year earnings -- strong outcomes for a regional public. Median debt of $27,437 produces a 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ ROI grade. Career paths flow into Huntsville's defense-tech corridor and broader Southeast technology employers.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Troy's largest program at 290 graduates with $45,260 first-year and $63,472 four-year earnings. Median debt of $27,000 yields a 0.597 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C ROI grade. Career paths spread broadly across regional employers; the numbers are solid but not standout, with outcomes likely scaling significantly with internship quality and student initiative.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 245 students -- the second-largest cohort -- with weak outcomes: $31,479 first-year and $44,102 four-year earnings, against median debt of $31,207. The resulting 0.991 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a D ROI grade. Most strong career paths require graduate study; bachelor-only psychology graduates here face a tough recovery curve.
Social Work
Social Work graduates 127 students with $31,190 first-year and $45,789 four-year earnings against median debt of $30,500 -- producing a 0.978 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D ROI grade. The mission is laudable, but as with psychology, most strong career paths require graduate study and licensure. Students should plan for an MSW pathway and budget accordingly.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 48.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 56.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 38.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 47.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 96.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 450-590 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-25 |
| Enrollment | 9,805 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,612 |
Troy admits 96 percent of applicants -- effectively open enrollment for all but the weakest applicants. SAT mid-50 percent ranges run 450-590 in Math and 490-620 in Reading, while ACT Composite spans 18-25 -- modest profiles consistent with a broadly accessible regional public. The 50.3 percent completion rate is low for the headline admit rate, indicating that admission is the easy part and graduating requires substantial student commitment, particularly given Troy's large nontraditional and online-leaning enrollment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Troy's nearest peers include University of Alabama at Birmingham -- a much stronger urban research university -- alongside Alabama A&M, University of Southern Mississippi, Middle Georgia State University, and Georgia Gwinnett College. UAB sets a benchmark Troy doesn't approach. Among the more comparable peers (Alabama A&M, USM, Middle Georgia State, Georgia Gwinnett), Troy's 22 ROI score is on the lower end, with USM and Georgia Gwinnett likely outperforming on earnings and repayment.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy University (this school) | 22 | $16,527 | $42,062 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 55 | $18,749 | $54,501 |
| Georgia Gwinnett College | 34 | $15,844 | $47,730 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 27 | $21,708 | $44,140 |
| Middle Georgia State University | 21 | $12,361 | $40,863 |
| Alabama A & M University | 10 | $17,621 | $40,628 |
Who Thrives Here
Troy fits Alabama and surrounding-state students seeking an affordable public regional, particularly those targeting nursing, computer science, education, or military-affiliated programs (Troy has deep military partnerships). Enrollment is 9,805 undergraduates and Pell rate runs 42.8 percent -- a working-class student body. Strongest student outcomes accrue to nursing graduates and the niche Science/Technology/Society cohort. Students entering humanities or social sciences should plan for graduate study to recoup their investment.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Troy University. With a net cost of $16,527 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,062 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 29.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 50.3% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,000 against $42,062 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.