Alcorn State's published cost of attendance reaches $23,937 per year, including $8,549 in tuition, $10,255 for room and board, and $1,672 for books and supplies. The average student pays $14,040 after financial aid, representing savings of $9,897 from the sticker price.
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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) | $23,937 |
| Tuition and Fees | $8,549 |
| Room and Board | $10,255 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,672 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$9,897 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,040 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $13,010 |
| $30–48k | $14,640 |
| $48–75k | $16,450 |
| $75–110k | $17,658 |
| $110k+ | $12,089 |
Alcorn State's published cost of attendance reaches $23,937 per year, including $8,549 in tuition, $10,255 for room and board, and $1,672 for books and supplies. The average student pays $14,040 after financial aid, representing savings of $9,897 from the sticker price. This net price sits nearly identical to the peer median of $14,093, indicating competitive affordability within Alcorn State's comparison group.
The substantial financial aid savings reflect the university's commitment to serving lower-income students, with 77.4% of enrolled students receiving Pell grants. Net pricing remains relatively stable across income levels, ranging from $13,010 for families earning under $30,000 to $17,658 for middle-income families, before dropping to $12,089 for the highest-income families. This pricing structure indicates that financial aid effectively targets need-based support while maintaining accessibility across economic backgrounds.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
Median student debt reaches $27,000 upon graduation, substantially higher than the peer median of $21,105, creating a concerning $5,895 debt disadvantage. Debt levels span from $7,685 at the 25th percentile to $33,500 at the 75th percentile, indicating significant variation in borrowing patterns among graduates.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 indicates that typical graduates carry debt equivalent to about three-quarters of their first-year earnings, creating substantial repayment pressure. Parent PLUS debt averages $12,000 with monthly payments of $158, adding family-level financial obligations beyond student borrowing.
The higher debt levels relative to peers reflect the resource constraints facing both students and the institution, with limited grant aid requiring greater reliance on borrowing to finance education costs. Students should carefully consider debt management strategies and understand that graduation debt levels will require sustained attention to repayment planning.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Alcorn State produces graduates earning $3,699 below expectations relative to similar students, placing the university in the 39th percentile for earnings uplift. This performance, combined with higher-than-peer debt levels, creates challenging return dynamics.
Graduates earn $36,421 compared to the peer median of $50,116, a substantial $13,695 annual earnings disadvantage. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 indicates significant repayment burden relative to income capacity.
However, the university's access mission must be considered when evaluating investment returns, as many students gain access to higher education opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. The combination of constrained earnings and elevated debt requires careful program selection, with students advised to focus on higher-earning programs like nursing ($72,321) and agriculture ($53,012) where the university demonstrates stronger performance.
Alcorn State serves a predominantly need-based student population, with 77.4% of students receiving Pell grants compared to national averages around 35%. This concentration of low-income students drives the university's financial aid strategy, with average aid covering $9,897 of the $23,937 sticker price.
The substantial gap between published costs and net prices indicates robust need-based aid targeting. Net prices across income levels remain relatively compressed, ranging from $12,089 to $17,658, suggesting that aid formulas effectively control family contributions across economic backgrounds.
The high Pell concentration means most students qualify for significant federal aid, though this also indicates limited family resources for college expenses. Students should expect financial aid packages heavily weighted toward grants and work-study for the lowest-income families, with increasing loan components for middle-income students.
