Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Troy University #589 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Troy University in the 58.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Troy University #833 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Troy University #589 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 60.2 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Troy, AL, Troy University enrolls roughly 9,805 undergraduates. Retention is 71.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 50.3%, placing the institution within the typical range for public master's universities. Where Troy University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Troy University #833 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 43.7 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,048, placing Troy University in the 24.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Troy University in the 58.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Troy University sits in the 77.3 percentile for access and the 63.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes rank in the 47.9 percentile. The institution's 42.8% Pell share and 39.0% first-generation share reflect a student population with meaningful financial constraints, and the composite reflects the challenge of delivering strong outcomes across all four pillars simultaneously. For students prioritizing long-term earnings and willing to engage with a regional public institution, Troy University delivers measurable return on investment relative to the no-degree baseline.
Troy University's published cost of attendance is $23,165. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $12,656, middle-income families pay around $14,321, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,139. Azimuth ranks Troy University #518 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. Troy University participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans. The institution offers both need-based and merit-based financial aid to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and merit scholarships are available for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,842; 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 typical four-year earnings, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Troy University is a strong fit for students interested in business and applied fields who want a public university experience in AL. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,048, placing Troy University in the 24.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 58.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 42.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 39.0% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Troy University in the 8.4 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors business and applied fields over STEM-intensive ones, and the earnings trajectory reflects AL's regional labor market rather than national high-earning hubs. Students whose interests align with those areas and who plan to stay in South will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in AL.
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 Troy University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Computer and Information Sciences, General
137 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
122 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
35 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
344 graduates
Social Sciences, General
35 graduates
Troy University's program mix is anchored in Business and applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 344 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Interdisciplinary Studies, Criminal Justice, and Teacher Education.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 2,305 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and professional fields.
Artificial Intelligence leads with median earnings of $79,492 four years after enrollment across 137 graduates, followed by Nursing with $78,785, Business Administration with $63,472, and Criminal Justice with $56,317. Business Administration graduates earn $63,472 four years after enrollment, demonstrating that the institution's largest program also delivers solid financial outcomes.
Troy University's positioning as a regional public university in Alabama emphasizes direct workforce entry in business, education, and applied technical fields. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional labor-market opportunities and wage trends in the Southeast.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Northern Colorado Similar quality tier (#16901 ranked) | CO | 86% | $52,231 | #16901 | Compare |
Eastern Illinois University Similar quality tier (#16941 ranked) | IL | 65% | $51,989 | #16941 | Compare |
South Dakota State University Similar quality tier (#16372 ranked) | SD | 98% | $55,070 | #16372 | Compare |
Saint Cloud State University Similar quality tier (#16361 ranked) | MN | 95% | $55,813 | #16361 | Compare |
University Of Central Missouri Similar quality tier (#17992 ranked) | MO | 64% | $49,560 | #17992 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Troy University's published cost of attendance is $23,165. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $12,656, middle-income families pay around $14,321, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,139.
Azimuth ranks Troy University #518 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.
Troy University participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans. The institution offers both need-based and merit-based financial aid to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and merit scholarships are available for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,842; 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 typical four-year earnings, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 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 Troy University earn median 4-year earnings of $55,048, placing the institution in the 24.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Troy University in the 58.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Troy University #833 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Troy University's concentration in business and applied professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 344 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $63,472, performing at 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 267 students with median 4-year earnings of $44,102, also tracking near benchmark performance.
Criminal Justice enrolls 154 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,317, while The Teacher Education program graduates 153 students earning median 4-year earnings of $49,195. These programs anchor Troy University's applied, workforce-aligned degree portfolio and contribute to the institution's overall return profile.
