Students seeking a prestigious flagship university experience with strong long-term earnings potential, particularly those from middle- and upper-income families who can manage higher upfront costs. This works especially well for students interested in business, engineering, or professional programs who value the alumni network and career opportunities that come with a well-established state flagship.
Students at The University of Alabama achieve strong long-term earnings that place the university well above typical public institutions nationwide.
Graduates benefit from solid financial outcomes and extensive alumni networks that support career advancement across business, engineering, and professional fields.
Azimuth ranks The University of Alabama 76th out of 406 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 19% for overall value. What distinguishes Alabama is its ability to deliver strong long-term financial outcomes while maintaining the comprehensive flagship experience that many students seek. With median 10-year earnings of $59,221, graduates consistently outperform many peer institutions, particularly in business and engineering fields where Alabama has built substantial employer relationships and alumni networks.
As a large public research university in Alabama, the institution serves as the state's flagship while drawing students from across the Southeast and beyond. The university combines academic breadth with strong career preparation, evident in its above-average earnings outcomes and the success of programs like finance, digital marketing, and electrical engineering. While access is more limited than at some public universities—with about 18% of students receiving Pell Grants—Alabama excels at helping the students it enrolls achieve meaningful economic mobility.
The university's position as a "Selective Achievers" institution reflects this balance: it maintains higher admission standards while delivering strong outcomes for graduates, particularly in professional fields that benefit from Alabama's extensive alumni network and employer connections throughout the Southeast and nationally.
The University of Alabama's program strengths center on business and engineering fields that connect directly to high-paying career paths. Banking and Financial Support Services leads in aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment of 577 graduates with solid median earnings of $52,643, reflecting Alabama's deep connections to financial services employers throughout the Southeast. Digital Marketing, with 560 graduates, represents the university's largest program and demonstrates Alabama's ability to prepare students for modern business careers with median earnings of $47,801.
Engineering programs deliver some of Alabama's highest individual earnings outcomes. Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earn a median of $75,832 with strong placement in technology and manufacturing sectors. The university's engineering programs benefit from substantial industry partnerships and research opportunities that enhance both learning and career prospects.
Alabama's program portfolio reflects its flagship mission, offering comprehensive options while maintaining particular strength in professional fields. The university's extensive alumni network, especially strong in business and engineering, provides graduates with meaningful career advantages and helps explain why earnings outcomes consistently exceed those at many peer institutions. This combination of academic quality and professional connections makes Alabama particularly valuable for students seeking entry into established career fields.
The University of Alabama delivers solid long-term financial returns for graduates. Ten years after enrollment, alumni earn a median of $59,221, placing the university in the 76th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance reflects Alabama's strength in high-return fields like business, engineering, and professional programs that consistently connect graduates to well-paying career paths.
Program-level outcomes show clear variation by field of study. Banking and Financial Support Services stands out as Alabama's highest aggregate-return major, combining strong enrollment of 577 graduates with solid median earnings of $52,643. Digital Marketing, the university's largest program with 560 graduates, produces median earnings of $47,801, while Electrical and Electronics Engineering delivers some of the highest individual earnings at $75,832 for its 86 graduates. These programs reflect Alabama's particular strengths in business and engineering, fields where the university's alumni network and employer relationships provide meaningful career advantages.
The university's comprehensive program portfolio supports diverse career paths, from technical fields like engineering that offer immediate high earnings to business programs that provide broad professional preparation. Alabama's position as a flagship institution means graduates benefit from strong name recognition and extensive alumni connections, particularly valuable in the Southeast where the university maintains deep employer relationships across multiple industries.
Affordability at The University of Alabama varies significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay about $18,592 annually after aid, which sits around the national average for public universities, while middle-income families face costs of approximately $23,056 per year. High-income families pay about $25,773 annually, reflecting the university's position as a flagship institution with higher base costs but substantial aid for those who qualify.
Debt levels require careful consideration, particularly for families using multiple borrowing sources. Typical graduates leave with about $22,750 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given Alabama's solid earnings outcomes. However, Parent PLUS borrowing averages $41,221, significantly higher than many public universities and requiring families to carefully assess their repayment capacity. The combination of moderate student debt and higher parent borrowing means families should plan thoroughly for the total cost of an Alabama education.
What makes Alabama's costs more sustainable is the strong earning potential of graduates. With median 10-year earnings near $59,221, most borrowers can handle standard repayment schedules without significant strain. The university's strong alumni network and career services also help graduates secure employment quickly after graduation, providing the income stability needed to manage debt obligations effectively.
The University Of Alabama Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
