University of Alabama in Huntsville combines moderate selectivity with strong technical program outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers $5,921 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining reasonable debt levels, particularly benefiting students in engineering and technology fields in Alabama's aerospace corridor.
With well above average results, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average results, indicating reasonable costs relative to outcomes delivered
Around the national average, reflecting typical enrollment patterns for public research universities
With above average performance, reflecting effective economic advancement for graduates
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisStrong engineering outcomes in aerospace hub
University of Alabama in Huntsville ranks #348 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with composite performance at the 78.7th percentile and well above average outcomes. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, this medium-sized public research university maintains moderate selectivity with a 74.2% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation results.
UAH enrolls 22.5% Pell-eligible students and 31.0% first-generation students, reflecting typical access levels for public institutions. Graduates earn $5,921 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 76.8th percentile nationally on this measure.
Median earnings reach $61,767 ten years after enrollment, placing UAH at the 75th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. This combination of moderate selectivity, typical access levels, and strong earnings performance places University of Alabama in Huntsville within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering robust post-graduation outcomes.
University of Alabama in Huntsville demonstrates strong return on educational investment through well above average earnings outcomes combined with manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $61,767 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 75th percentile nationally and $11,651 above the peer median of $50,116.
Earnings range from $37,446 at the 25th percentile to $91,119 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the institution's technical program focus and varied career trajectories. The university generates $5,921 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 76.8th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking strong engineering outcomes at a public research university, particularly those interested in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering. Well-suited for students who value high SAT score environments combined with moderate selectivity, and those pursuing technical fields with solid earning potential in the Southeast.
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.
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This is the University Of Alabama In Huntsville hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-alabama-in-huntsville/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Alabama in Huntsville operates with a published cost of attendance of $27,098 annually, including $24,662 in out-of-state tuition, $11,122 for room and board, and $2,416 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with $11,770 tuition.
The average student pays $19,880 after financial aid, representing $7,218 in aid savings from the sticker price. This net price of $19,880 is $5,787 higher than the peer median of $14,093, indicating UAH costs more than typical public institutions.
However, the higher cost reflects the university's strong academic profile and technical program focus. The net price varies considerably by family income, ranging from $16,521 for the lowest-income families to $21,937 for the highest earners, a spread of $5,416 that demonstrates progressive aid targeting.
For families evaluating affordability, the key consideration is comparing UAH's higher costs against its stronger earning outcomes, as graduates earn $11,651 more annually than peer institution graduates. This suggests the additional cost may represent a worthwhile investment for students planning technical careers.
University of Alabama in Huntsville graduates demonstrate modest but positive earnings growth trajectory over the post-graduation period. Median earnings increase from $55,610 six years after enrollment to $61,771 at eight years and $61,767 at ten years, representing 11.1% growth from the six-year mark to the ten-year point.
These outcomes reflect data from a ten-year cohort of 1,796 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $5,921 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UAH at the 76.8th percentile for this value-added measure.
Low-income graduates earn $47,000, ranking above average nationally and demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $37,446 at the 25th percentile to $91,119 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.4:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career paths.
Approximately 28.0% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pursuits.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
51 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
122 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
98 graduates
Information Resources Management.
62 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
79 graduates
University of Alabama in Huntsville offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. The strongest performing programs center on engineering and technical fields that align with the region's aerospace and technology industries.
Information Resources Management ranks #12 nationally and #2 in Alabama, graduating 62 students with exceptional median earnings of $75,743 and a value score of 86.6. Mechanical Engineering ranks #89 nationally and #2 in Alabama, producing 122 graduates with median earnings of $83,433 and strong value score of 60.5.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #96 nationally, graduating 51 students with median earnings of $85,408. Aerospace Engineering ranks #42 nationally and #3 in Alabama, reflecting the university's proximity to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Adult Health Nursing represents the largest program by enrollment, graduating 242 students annually, demonstrating strong regional healthcare workforce preparation.
University of Alabama in Huntsville admits 74.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 students receive admission offers. This places UAH in the Moderately Selective category, making admission more accessible than highly competitive research universities while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates UAH is somewhat more selective than typical public institutions, though the 10-percentage-point difference is modest. This selectivity level means qualified students with solid academic records have good chances of admission, though the university does maintain standards for its technical programs.
Students should expect a thorough review of academic preparation, particularly for competitive engineering programs where program-specific requirements may apply. The combination of moderate overall selectivity with strong academic outcomes makes UAH an attractive option for students seeking quality education without extreme admission competition.
For application strategy, students should view UAH as a match school if their academic profile aligns with enrolled student characteristics, though competitive programs may require treating it as a slight reach. Building a balanced college list should include institutions with both higher and lower acceptance rates to ensure admission options.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suny Brockport Similar quality tier (#348 ranked) | NY | 71% | $54,496 | #348 | Compare |
Indiana State University Similar quality tier (#351 ranked) | IN | 92% | $48,387 | #351 | Compare |
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Similar quality tier (#344 ranked) | TX | 92% | $54,338 | #344 | Compare |
Fayetteville State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#343 ranked) | NC | 80% | $40,144 | #343 | Compare |
State University Of New York At Oswego Similar quality tier (#341 ranked) | NY | 80% | $57,566 | #341 | Compare |