Albany State University maintains accessible pricing with strong financial aid support for its student population. The published cost of attendance reaches $20,574 annually, including $5,934 in-state tuition, $9,066 for room and board, and $1,220 for books and supplies.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $19,333 |
| Tuition and Fees | $17,008 |
| Room and Board | $11,899 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,934 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$7,435 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $11,898 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,693 |
| $30–48k | $11,147 |
| $48–75k | $13,785 |
| $75–110k | $16,419 |
| $110k+ | $17,324 |
Albany State University maintains accessible pricing with strong financial aid support for its student population. The published cost of attendance reaches $20,574 annually, including $5,934 in-state tuition, $9,066 for room and board, and $1,220 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $14,251 after financial aid, representing $6,323 in savings from the sticker price.
This net price falls slightly below the peer median of $14,093, positioning Albany State competitively among similar public institutions. Out-of-state students face higher tuition at $16,656, but financial aid helps reduce the effective cost burden. The university's pricing structure reflects its mission to serve students from lower-income backgrounds, with net costs varying systematically by family income level.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Albany State graduates carry median debt of $25,024, which compares to a peer median of $21,105, representing $3,919 above typical levels for similar institutions. Debt levels span from $10,500 at the 25th percentile to $39,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating variation in borrowing patterns across the student population.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 suggests manageable burden relative to post-graduation income, though this varies significantly by program choice. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $8,879 with monthly payments of $117, indicating modest family borrowing levels.
The slightly elevated debt levels likely reflect the institution's student demographics and state funding constraints common among public institutions serving high-need populations. However, debt remains within reasonable bounds for the earnings outcomes achieved, particularly in high-return programs like nursing where debt-to-earnings ratios improve substantially.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Albany State delivers around the national average return on educational investment while serving populations that historically face barriers to degree completion. Graduates earn $1,588 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution at the 49th percentile for earnings beyond expectations—essentially typical performance.
However, this neutral value-added performance occurs alongside exceptional access and strong completion support for high-need students. Median earnings of $40,674 fall $9,442 below the peer median of $50,116, but debt levels remain manageable relative to income potential.
The combination of accessible pricing, controlled borrowing, and degree completion support creates favorable conditions for economic mobility among populations that might otherwise lack higher education access. Program-specific outcomes show significant variation, with nursing graduates achieving strong return on investment while education majors accept lower earnings in exchange for public service career pathways.
Albany State's financial aid distribution reflects its role as a high-access institution serving economically diverse student populations. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants—far exceeding the national average—the university concentrates aid resources toward students with the greatest financial need.
The $6,323 average aid savings demonstrates meaningful support, though the gap between sticker price and net costs remains modest compared to highly-endowed private institutions. Aid targeting appears effective given the progressive net price structure across income tiers, with the lowest-income students receiving the most substantial support.
This aid concentration enables the university to maintain its exceptional access ranking while providing degree completion support for students who might otherwise face affordability barriers. The 33.5% first-generation enrollment further indicates the institution's success in reaching underserved populations through accessible pricing and targeted financial support.
