Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Montevallo #957 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,262, placing University of Montevallo in the 3.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Montevallo sits in the 10.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Montevallo #957 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 35.1 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Montevallo, AL, University of Montevallo enrolls roughly 2,151 undergraduates. Retention is 72.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 54.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional master's institution. Where University of Montevallo performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Montevallo #1344 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 9.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,262, placing University of Montevallo in the 3.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $15,076 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Montevallo in the 10.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Montevallo sits in the 68.8 percentile for access and the 58.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 32.4% Pell-eligible students and 32.5% first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial and educational barriers. Mobility outcomes, placing the institution in the 52.9 percentile, show that University of Montevallo supports students into career pathways that align with regional labor-market demand, particularly in Visual & Performing Arts, which anchors the institution's academic portfolio.
Published cost of attendance is $27,398. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $14,471, middle-income families pay around $18,615, higher-income families pay approximately $21,873. Azimuth ranks University of Montevallo #587 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 58.8 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,233. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,262, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $271 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Montevallo is a strong fit for students drawn to the visual and performing arts who want a public university experience in Montevallo, AL. The university's program mix leans heavily toward Visual & Performing Arts, with 17% of graduates pursuing degrees in this field. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $46,262, placing University of Montevallo in the 3.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,076 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 10.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 32.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.5% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place University of Montevallo in the 7.4 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 53.8% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors arts-oriented fields over STEM or business. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive among nonprofit four-year institutions.
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
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Montevallo hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $27,398. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $14,471, middle-income families pay around $18,615, higher-income families pay approximately $21,873.
Azimuth ranks University of Montevallo #587 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 58.8 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,233.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,262, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $271 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of University of Montevallo earn median 4-year earnings of $46,262, placing University of Montevallo in the 3.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,076 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Montevallo in the 10.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Montevallo #1344 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Montevallo's concentration in Visual & Performing Arts.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 45 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $47,823, and Azimuth ranks the program 1.0× the national benchmark for the field [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). The Fine and Studio Arts program graduates 40 students earning $35,921, while Kinesiology and Psychology, General round out the top programs with four-year earnings in the $41,758 and $40,809 range respectively.
These outcomes reflect the institution's distinctive focus on creative and performance-based fields, where earnings trajectories and labor-market demand differ from traditional business or STEM pathways.
Accounting and Related Services
9 graduates
Marketing
21 graduates
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
16 graduates
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
26 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
11 graduates
University of Montevallo's program mix is anchored in visual and performing arts, reflecting the institution's distinctive identity as a public liberal arts university with particular strength in creative disciplines. Teacher Education is the largest program with 45 graduates, followed by Fine and Studio Arts, Kinesiology, Psychology, General, and Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Across 24 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor markets. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's creative and liberal arts focus.
Digital Marketing leads with median earnings of $53,492 four years after enrollment, followed by Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $50,497, Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at $49,979, Teacher Education at $47,823, and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $44,624. The institution's dominant program family, Visual & Performing Arts, accounts for a meaningful share of degrees and reflects Montevallo's positioning as a regional center for arts education and creative training.
Several of these programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets immediately after completion. Others, particularly those in education and social sciences, serve as preparation for graduate study or professional certification.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Montevallo's program portfolio aligns with regional workforce needs and longer-term career trajectories in creative and service-oriented fields.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama State University Higher acceptance rate (43.7 percentage points higher) and located 61 miles away; similar median earnings four years after completion | AL | 98% | $45,998 | Compare |
Alabama State University Same state (61 miles away) with nearly identical earnings; same institution type | AL | 98% | $45,998 | Compare |
Tuskegee University Similar admission rate (5.2 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (40 point difference); located 82 miles away | AL | 49% | $69,077 | Compare |
Illinois Institute Of Technology 97.4% higher median earnings four years after completion with nearly identical cost | IL | 55% | $91,312 | Compare |
San Diego Christian College 94.4% lower net price with similar earnings | CA | 31% | $50,741 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alcorn State University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $45495 versus $46262; same region (Southeast) | MS | 45% | $45,495 | #531 |
University Of South Carolina Beaufort Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $49235 versus $46262; same region (Southeast) | SC | 73% | $49,235 | #843 | Compare |
Elizabeth City State University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $50194 versus $46262; same region (Southeast) | NC | 64% | $50,194 | #566 | Compare |
Delta State University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $47248 versus $46262; same region (Southeast) | MS | 100% | $47,248 | #1053 | Compare |
Fort Valley State University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $44844 versus $46262; same region (Southeast) | GA | 66% | $44,844 | #570 | Compare |
