Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Alabama
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Alabama5 schools
5 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
How this list is made
- Schools in Alabama.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL · Public#4 in Alabama
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $61,767 ten years out
- 2Tie
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public#5 in Alabama
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $54,501 ten years out
- 2Tie
Auburn University
Auburn, AL · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Alabama
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $65,337 ten years out
- 2Tie
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · Public#3 in Alabama
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $59,221 ten years out
- 5
Samford University
Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit#2 in Alabama
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,469 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | About $19,000 | $20,705 | $61,767 | 64% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | About $19,000 | $22,300 | $54,501 | 64% |
| Auburn University | About $24,000 | $21,000 | $65,337 | 82% |
| The University of Alabama | About $22,000 | $22,750 | $59,221 | 73% |
| Samford University | About $33,000 | $19,500 | $58,469 | 77% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 62
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15