Alcorn State University

Alcorn State University's published cost of attendance is $23,751. Net price by income band reflects the institution's commitment to affordability across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $12,613, middle-income families pay around $16,296, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,620.

Azimuth ranks Alcorn State University #458 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.

Alcorn State's public tuition structure and need-based aid programs work together to narrow the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Most undergraduates receive need-based financial aid through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state programs, which helps make the institution accessible to students from a wide range of economic backgrounds.

The affordability rank reflects both the headline net prices and the debt load graduates carry, positioning Alcorn State as a cost-conscious option for families seeking strong value in higher education. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,000; 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 $45,495, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 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 Alcorn State University earn median 4-year earnings of $45,495, placing Alcorn State University in the 3.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs below the $56,249 median at comparable institutions.

Graduates earn about $9,862 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alcorn State University in the 21.2 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 MS's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $29,193 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).

The earnings pattern reflects Alcorn State University's concentration in Biological Sciences. Biology, General is the largest program with 113 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $40,379, at 0.7x the national benchmark for the field.

The General Studies program graduates 60 students earning $42,321, and the The Business Administration program graduates 42 students earning $39,841. Together, these programs anchor the institution's degree output and shape the overall earnings profile.

Azimuth ranks Alcorn State University #1349 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Alcorn State University's program mix is anchored in biological sciences, education, and applied professional fields—a portfolio reflecting the institution's mission as a historically Black land-grant university. Biology, General is the largest program with 113 graduates, followed by General Studies, Business Administration, Nursing, and Artificial Intelligence.

Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 601 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in fields aligned with healthcare, education, and STEM pathways. The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's biological sciences emphasis.

Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $93,159 with 39 graduates, while Agricultural Business and Management delivers $62,499 for 29 graduates. General Studies and Biology, General provide additional earnings strength in the $42,321 and $40,379 range respectively.

These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in healthcare, nursing, and applied sciences. Several of Alcorn State University's programs serve as gateways to graduate and professional education—particularly in Biological Sciences, where four-year earnings may undercount lifetime trajectory for graduates continuing to medical school, doctoral programs, or advanced clinical training.

The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in healthcare and education sectors.