The University of Alabama combines accessible admission with strong regional career outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university achieves top-tier mobility performance at the 91.6th percentile while maintaining broad accessibility through open-access admission policies, supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations across Alabama and the Southeast.
Around the national average, driven by moderate long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Higher costs and debt levels that challenge financial accessibility
With above-average performance, indicating solid enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisThe University of Alabama delivers solid earnings outcomes alongside controlled borrowing and accessible admission. Graduates earn a median of $59,221 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 69th percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $39,848 at the 25th percentile to $87,405 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the institution's diverse program portfolio from liberal arts to engineering. While graduates earn $21,465 below expectations relative to similar student populations, this positions the university modestly below average on earnings uplift measures at the 1.9th percentile.
Students seeking strong regional outcomes from a large public university with high accessibility. Well-suited for those prioritizing school spirit, diverse program options, and solid post-graduation employment in Alabama and the Southeast.
Best fit for students comfortable with open-access admission but wanting above-average academic credentials among peers.
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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the The University Of Alabama hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/the-university-of-alabama/analysis.
Top-tier mobility with open access
The University of Alabama ranks #392 nationally with performance at the 75.9th percentile, demonstrating strong outcomes above typical expectations. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this large public research university maintains open-access admission with a 75.8% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
The University of Alabama enrolls 18.0% Pell-eligible students and 22.6% first-generation students, reflecting moderate accessibility alongside selective academic credentials. Admitted students demonstrate exceptional test score performance, with SAT scores ranking among the highest nationally and ACT scores at the 95th percentile.
Despite earnings falling $21,465 below expectations relative to student demographics, graduates achieve median earnings of $59,221 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 69th percentile nationally. The University of Alabama operates as an Opportunity Builder institution, combining broad accessibility with solid career preparation across diverse academic programs.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Alabama operates with a published cost of attendance of $32,024 per year, including $11,900 in-state tuition, $14,840 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $33,200 tuition, substantially increasing total costs.
However, the average student pays $22,150 after financial aid, representing $9,874 in average aid savings from the sticker price. This net price exceeds the peer median of $15,590 by $6,560, positioning The University of Alabama as more expensive than typical public institutions.
The financial aid system provides meaningful support, reducing costs by approximately 31% from published rates. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $18,592 for families earning under $30,000 to $25,773 for families earning over $110,000.
The $7,181 gap between lowest and highest income tiers indicates progressive aid distribution that concentrates support among lower-income students, though all income levels receive some assistance below sticker price.
The University of Alabama graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over the post-graduation period. Median earnings advance from $52,233 six years after enrollment to $56,012 at eight years and $59,221 at ten years, representing 13.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These figures reflect outcomes from substantial cohorts of 6,231 six-year graduates, 6,534 eight-year graduates, and 6,082 ten-year graduates, providing high confidence in reported results. Graduates earn $21,465 below expectations compared to similar student populations nationally, placing the university at the 1.9th percentile for earnings uplift.
This reflects the institution's role in serving students with strong academic credentials who achieve solid but not exceptional career outcomes. Low-income graduates earn $45,500, demonstrating reasonable economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings distribution spans from $39,848 at the 25th percentile to $87,405 at the 75th percentile, with approximately 25.5% of graduates continuing to graduate or professional study. The University of Alabama delivers consistent career preparation across its diverse academic portfolio while maintaining broad accessibility for Alabama residents and regional students.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
86 graduates
Information Resources Management.
142 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
105 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
199 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics.
214 graduates
The University of Alabama offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive ranking analysis. Information Resources Management ranks #8 nationally and #1 in Alabama, graduating 142 students with median earnings of $95,503 and an exceptional value score of 91.5.
Business/Managerial Economics ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Alabama, producing 214 graduates with median earnings of $85,603. Mechanical Engineering ranks #56 nationally and #1 in Alabama, graduating 407 students with median earnings of $83,433 and strong value performance.
Banking and Financial Support Services graduates 577 students annually with median earnings of $72,138, representing one of the university's largest and most successful programs. Digital Marketing ranks #63 nationally and #1 in Alabama, producing 560 graduates with median earnings of $65,054.
Agricultural Teacher Education demonstrates strong regional impact, ranking #40 nationally and #1 in Alabama with 248 graduates earning $47,390.
The University of Alabama admits approximately 75.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive admission offers. This places the university in the open-access category, providing broad educational opportunity for students across Alabama and beyond.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates The University of Alabama maintains selectivity slightly above typical four-year public institutions, though the 2.3 percentage point difference represents minimal practical distinction. This admission rate reflects the university's commitment to accessible higher education while maintaining academic standards through post-admission performance expectations.
Open-access admission means that most academically prepared students should expect admission, though competitive programs within the university may maintain additional requirements. Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness rather than viewing admission as highly uncertain.
The university's approach emphasizes opportunity over exclusivity, supporting its mission as a public institution serving diverse student populations. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates that academic preparation and program selection matter more than admission uncertainty, allowing students to focus on fit and academic planning rather than admission anxiety.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas State University Similar quality tier (#376 ranked) | KS | 79% | $57,262 | #376 | Compare |
West Virginia University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#367 ranked) | WV | 86% | $55,939 | #367 | Compare |
Auburn University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#402 ranked) | AL | 50% | $65,337 | #402 | Compare |
University Of Mississippi Similar quality tier in Southeast (#413 ranked) | MS | 98% | $50,994 | #413 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Similar quality tier (#425 ranked) | WI | 88% | $54,990 | #425 | Compare |