Students seeking an affordable private college experience with strong access for low-income and first-generation students, particularly those who value small class sizes and personalized attention over maximum earnings potential. Families prioritizing manageable net prices and a supportive environment where nearly 76% of students receive Pell Grants and about 40% are first-generation college students.
Talladega College provides affordable private education to students who might otherwise lack access to higher education, with net prices significantly below typical private institutions.
The college serves as an access point for low-income and first-generation students, though graduates face earnings challenges that require careful consideration of long-term financial outcomes.
Talladega College is a small private nonprofit institution in Alabama that serves a predominantly low-income student population with relatively affordable net prices for a private college. Nearly three-quarters of students receive Pell Grants, and about 40% are first-generation college students, reflecting the institution's commitment to educational access. The college maintains net prices well below typical private institutions, with low-income students paying around $13,423 annually and middle-income families paying $13,910.
While Talladega College provides strong access opportunities, graduates face earnings challenges that place the institution in the bottom percentiles nationally for long-term financial outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $32,229, which is significantly below national averages for college graduates. The institution falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category, indicating high access but limited resources to drive strong post-graduation outcomes.
For students seeking an affordable private college education with small class sizes and individualized attention, Talladega College offers meaningful value. The college's strength lies in its accessibility and affordability rather than earnings maximization, making it a consideration for families prioritizing college access and a supportive learning environment over maximum financial returns.
Talladega College's program portfolio centers around Business Administration and Management, which represents both the largest program and the highest aggregate return opportunity for graduates. With 59 graduates earning a median of $24,863 ten years after graduation, this program provides the institution's strongest pathway to post-graduation earnings, though outcomes remain below national averages for business majors.
The concentration in business administration reflects the college's practical, career-focused approach to education. However, the earnings outcomes suggest that graduates may benefit from additional professional development, internships, or advanced credentials to compete effectively in the job market. The program's scale indicates strong student demand and institutional investment, but the modest earnings outcomes highlight the challenges facing graduates as they enter competitive business fields.
As a small private institution, Talladega College appears to focus resources on programs with clear career pathways rather than maintaining broad academic offerings. This concentrated approach allows for potentially more personalized attention and specialized resources within key programs, though it also means students have fewer options if their interests change or if they discover new academic passions during their college years.
Graduates of Talladega College face significant earnings challenges compared with national averages and peer institutions. Ten years after enrollment, the median graduate earns $32,229, placing the institution in the bottom 2% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. Six years out, median earnings are $22,613, reflecting the early-career earnings struggles many graduates experience. Only 23 graduates in the tracked cohort earn more than $75,000 annually, highlighting the limited number of high-earning outcomes.
Business Administration and Management represents the college's largest and highest-return program, graduating 59 students with median 10-year earnings of $24,863. This program generates the strongest aggregate return for the institution, though even these earnings remain well below national averages for business graduates. The concentration in business reflects the college's focus on practical, career-oriented education, though outcomes suggest graduates may need additional time or credentials to reach competitive salary levels.
Despite the earnings challenges, graduates do see some positive momentum over time. The institution shows earnings beyond expectations of about $7,834, meaning graduates earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, even though absolute earnings remain low. This suggests that while Talladega College graduates start from a challenging baseline, they achieve modest upward mobility relative to their circumstances and the resources available to them.
Talladega College offers strong affordability for a private institution, with net prices significantly below typical private college costs. Low-income students pay approximately $13,423 per year, while middle-income families see costs around $13,910 annually. Even high-income families pay $19,595, which remains competitive compared with most private colleges. This pricing structure places the institution in the 72nd percentile nationally for affordability, making it accessible to families across income levels.
The college's financial aid approach appears designed to minimize barriers for low-income students, with nearly identical net prices for low- and middle-income families. This suggests substantial institutional aid that helps level the playing field for students from different economic backgrounds. The relatively modest increase in net price for higher-income families indicates the college maintains affordability as a core institutional value rather than maximizing revenue from families who could pay more.
Debt levels reflect the institution's commitment to affordability, with typical graduates carrying $28,500 in federal student loan debt and families borrowing an average of $11,801 in Parent PLUS loans. While these amounts are not insignificant, they remain manageable compared with many private institutions where debt loads can exceed $40,000 or more. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that despite earnings challenges, graduates are able to meet their repayment obligations through various programs and support systems.
Talladega College excels in providing educational access to underserved populations, with 75.5% of students receiving Pell Grants and approximately 40% being first-generation college students. The institution also welcomes transfer students, with an estimated 16% of the student body transferring in from other institutions. This high level of access places the college in the 95th percentile nationally for serving low-income students, demonstrating its mission-driven commitment to educational opportunity.
However, the institution struggles to convert this strong access into upward economic mobility for graduates. As an "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category school, Talladega College provides broad access but faces challenges in delivering strong post-graduation outcomes. Low-income graduates earn a median of $24,000 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the bottom 3% nationally for low-income student earnings.
The earnings lift for low-income students is negative at -$8,229, indicating that graduates from low-income backgrounds earn less than their higher-income peers rather than experiencing the upward mobility that college typically provides. Graduation rates show mixed results, with 65% of students completing their degrees within six years, though this drops to 26% by the eight-year mark. While the six-year completion rate is reasonable for the student population served, the institution faces ongoing challenges in helping students persist through degree completion and achieve the earnings outcomes that would justify their educational investment.
The institution ranks in the 95th percentile for access, serving primarily Pell-eligible and first-generation students with strong transfer pathways.
However, mobility outcomes place it in the "Under-Resourced Institutions" category, where high access doesn't translate to strong earnings.
Low-income graduates earn $24,000 ten years out, significantly below levels needed for meaningful economic advancement.
Talladega College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
