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.
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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) | $27,098 |
| Tuition and Fees | $24,662 |
| Room and Board | $11,122 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,416 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$7,218 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $19,880 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $16,521 |
| $30–48k | $17,935 |
| $48–75k | $21,187 |
| $75–110k | $21,205 |
| $110k+ | $21,937 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
University of Alabama in Huntsville graduates carry a median debt load of $20,705, which compares reasonably to the peer median of $21,105, resulting in just $400 higher borrowing than similar institutions. Debt levels range from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $26,750 at the 75th percentile, indicating significant variation in borrowing patterns.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests manageable repayment burden, as graduates earn $61,767 median income against $20,705 median debt. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $17,010 with monthly payments of $224, indicating moderate family borrowing patterns.
The debt percentile of 65th suggests somewhat higher than average borrowing nationally, though the peer comparison shows UAH students borrow similar amounts to those at comparable institutions. Students should weigh the moderate debt levels against UAH's strong earnings outcomes, as the debt-to-earnings ratio indicates sustainable repayment capacity for most graduates.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
University of Alabama in Huntsville demonstrates strong return on educational investment through earnings that significantly exceed expectations and peer outcomes. Graduates earn $5,921 beyond expectations, ranking at the 76.8th percentile nationally and indicating effective value creation relative to student inputs.
The median earnings of $61,767 exceed the peer median by $11,651, representing an 23.2% earnings premium that justifies the $5,787 higher net price. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, graduates maintain manageable debt burdens relative to earning power.
The institution's return index ranks at the 85.9th percentile, reflecting well above average investment outcomes. Students planning technical careers should particularly benefit from UAH's engineering program strength, as fields like Electrical Engineering ($85,408) and Mechanical Engineering ($83,433) demonstrate strong market value.
University of Alabama in Huntsville provides $7,218 in average financial aid savings, reducing costs from the $27,098 sticker price to the $19,880 net price. The aid structure demonstrates targeted support for lower-income students, with families under $30,000 receiving the deepest discounts.
The 22.5% Pell share indicates that roughly one in four students qualifies for federal need-based aid, receiving the lowest net prices in the $16,521 range. The aid targeting reflects typical patterns at public research universities, where state funding helps subsidize costs but families with higher incomes pay closer to full price.
The $5,416 spread between lowest and highest net prices shows meaningful aid differentiation, though the targeting is less aggressive than at wealthy private institutions. Students from middle-income families in the $48,000-$75,000 range should expect to pay around $21,187, representing significant aid but still requiring careful financial planning.
