Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Alabama State University #775 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,579 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alabama State University in the 68.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Alabama State University #1201 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Alabama State University #775 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Montgomery, Alabama, Alabama State University enrolls roughly 3,477 undergraduates. Retention is 69.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 30.3%, reflecting the institution's commitment to supporting students through degree completion. What anchors Alabama State University's composite is mobility and access. 71.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.3% are first-generation college students — among the highest shares in the nation. Azimuth ranks Alabama State University #1201 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,579 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alabama State University in the 68.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Alabama State University sits in the 49.7 percentile for mobility and the 91.8 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 26.6 percentile, reflecting the institution's public-tuition structure and broad financial-aid reach. For low-income and first-generation students seeking a path to degree completion and stable post-graduation outcomes, Alabama State University offers meaningful access paired with outcomes that exceed those of many comparable institutions.
Alabama State University's published cost of attendance is $23,586. Net price by income band reflects the university's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $19,711, middle-income families pay around $21,508, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,031. Azimuth ranks Alabama State University #1046 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Alabama State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university works to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay through a combination of grants and scholarships. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: understanding how net price and sticker price can differ substantially helps families budget realistically. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $31,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,622; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $45,998, median federal debt of $31,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $350 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Alabama State University is a strong fit for students seeking a public university experience in AL with a focus on business and related fields. The institution serves a high share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, making it particularly relevant for those seeking an accessible path to upward mobility. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $45,998, placing Alabama State University in the 3.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $2,579 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 68.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls 71.3% of undergraduates as Pell recipients and 34.3% as first-generation students, with completion rates that support these populations. Published cost of attendance is $19,031, with need-based aid available to close gaps for qualifying students. Fit depends on alignment with the institution's business-oriented program mix — Business represents 15% of degrees — and comfort with the regional labor market context. Students whose interests match these areas will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Alabama State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Alabama State University's published cost of attendance is $23,586. Net price by income band reflects the university's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $19,711, middle-income families pay around $21,508, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,031.
Azimuth ranks Alabama State University #1046 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Alabama State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university works to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay through a combination of grants and scholarships.
The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: understanding how [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) helps families budget realistically. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $31,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,622; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $45,998, median federal debt of $31,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $350 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Alabama State University earn median 4-year earnings of $45,998, placing Alabama State University in the 3.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those earnings run below the $56,249 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn about $2,579 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alabama State University in the 68.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to AL's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,168 — the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential.
Business is the dominant program family at Alabama State, representing 15% of degrees. The institution's largest program by enrollment is Biology, General, with 60 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,370.
Criminal Justice follows with 47 graduates earning $45,173, and the The Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates 46 students earning $37,576. These programs anchor the institution's earnings profile, with outcomes reflecting the regional labor market and the career pathways available to Alabama State graduates in the Montgomery area and across the state.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lincoln University Similar quality tier (#22550 ranked) | PA | 66% | $43,167 | #22550 | Compare |
University Of Minnesota-Crookston Similar quality tier (#22553 ranked) | MN | 88% | $58,056 | #22553 | Compare |
Minot State University Similar quality tier (#22517 ranked) | ND | 65% | $51,759 | #22517 | Compare |
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#22500 ranked) | PA | 86% | $55,246 | #22500 | Compare |
College Of Coastal Georgia Similar quality tier in Southeast (#22498 ranked) | GA | 98% | $39,318 | #22498 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
19 graduates
Information Science/Studies
23 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
26 graduates
Biology, General
60 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
28 graduates
Alabama State University's program mix is anchored in business, education, and health-related fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a comprehensive public university serving the Montgomery region. Biology, General is the largest program with 60 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice, Interdisciplinary Studies, Communication and Media Studies, and Business Administration.
Across 24 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects a portfolio oriented toward applied professional fields.
Accounting leads with median earnings of $63,070 four years after enrollment across 19 graduates, followed by Information Science/Studies at $53,416 with 23 graduates and Teacher Education at $51,014. Biology, General graduates earn $46,370, while Criminal Justice graduates earn $45,173, demonstrating that the institution's largest programs deliver competitive early-career outcomes.
The concentration in Business — representing 15% of degrees — combined with meaningful shares in Education and Arts, positions Alabama State University as a workforce-aligned institution where program selection directly connects to regional employment pathways. Many of these programs are high-mobility direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in fields like business, accounting, nursing, and information technology.
Others, including education and some health-science subfields, serve both direct-entry and graduate-school-dependent tracks, where some graduates continue to advanced degrees while others enter the workforce immediately. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Alabama State University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
