Students at the University of South Alabama benefit from an institution that successfully combines broad access with meaningful career preparation, particularly excelling at supporting first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
The university's practical, professionally-oriented programs in nursing and engineering deliver reliable employment outcomes while maintaining affordability that makes higher education accessible to families across the economic spectrum.
The University of South Alabama serves as a comprehensive public research university that combines broad access with meaningful career outcomes for students across Alabama and the Gulf Coast region. Located in Mobile, this medium-sized institution enrolls a diverse student body where 37% receive Pell Grants and about one-third are first-generation college students, yet still delivers solid long-term financial returns for graduates.
USA graduates earn a median of $49,379 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing, engineering, and health sciences programs. The university's earnings performance places it around the national average for public institutions, while its affordability metrics rank well above typical levels. Students benefit from net prices that remain manageable across income levels—low-income families pay about $10,148 annually, while middle-income students see costs around $15,456.
As a designated "Mobility Engine," the University of South Alabama successfully combines accessible admissions with meaningful economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds. The institution's strength lies in its practical, career-focused programs that prepare graduates for stable employment in growing fields, particularly in healthcare and technical disciplines where regional demand remains strong.
The University of South Alabama's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive regional university with particular strength in health sciences and professional fields. Adult Health Nursing dominates both enrollment and economic impact, graduating 308 students annually with median earnings of $55,598, making it the clear economic engine of the institution. This program's success reflects strong regional demand for healthcare professionals and the university's established reputation in nursing education.
Engineering programs, while smaller in scale, deliver the highest individual earnings outcomes. Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earn $68,219 with just 39 graduates, indicating strong market demand and selective program completion. These technical programs benefit from Alabama's growing industrial base and the Gulf Coast's energy and manufacturing sectors.
Liberal arts and sciences programs serve important foundational roles but show more modest earnings outcomes. Biology, the second-largest program with 162 graduates, produces earnings of $22,896, often serving as preparation for graduate study in medicine or other health professions. Psychology graduates 76 students earning $24,615, reflecting the field's diverse career paths and the need for additional credentialing in many psychology-related careers. The university's strength lies in its ability to provide solid preparation across this range of fields while maintaining particular excellence in the professional programs that drive regional economic development.
Graduates of the University of South Alabama achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $49,379 ten years after enrollment. The university delivers earnings that exceed expectations by about $1,669 compared with similar institutions, reflecting its focus on practical, career-oriented programs that translate directly into employment opportunities. This earnings advantage, while modest, demonstrates the institution's ability to add meaningful value for students who might not otherwise have access to higher education.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly by field of study. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the largest and highest-return program, graduating 308 students annually with median earnings of $55,598—a combination that makes it the university's primary economic engine. Electrical and Electronics Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $68,219 for 39 graduates, while Biology represents the second-largest program with 162 graduates earning $22,896. Psychology, with 76 graduates earning $24,615, rounds out the major program offerings.
The university's strength lies in health sciences and engineering programs that connect directly to regional workforce needs. Nursing programs benefit from strong healthcare demand across Alabama and the Gulf Coast, while engineering graduates find opportunities in the region's growing industrial and technology sectors. These practical, professionally-oriented programs help explain why USA graduates achieve earnings that consistently outperform expectations, even if absolute earnings levels remain moderate compared with more selective institutions.
The University of South Alabama maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay about $10,148 annually after aid, well below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families see net costs around $15,456—a reasonable level that reflects the university's commitment to broad access. Even higher-income students face predictable costs of about $21,878, creating transparency that helps families plan effectively over four years.
Debt levels remain manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan balances of $24,929 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $21,172. These amounts align well with the university's earnings outcomes, as graduates earning nearly $50,000 ten years out can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules. The university's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that borrowers successfully manage their obligations, supported by career services and alumni networks that help graduates transition into stable employment.
What makes USA particularly sustainable financially is the combination of reasonable upfront costs and reliable post-graduation employment. The university's focus on practical programs in nursing, engineering, and other professional fields means graduates typically find work quickly in their chosen fields, reducing the risk of extended unemployment or underemployment that can make loan repayment challenging at other institutions.
University Of South Alabama Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
