Head-to-head comparison
Alabama State University vs University of Montevallo: which has better ROI?
Option A Montgomery, AL
Alabama State University
- Net price / year
- $20,435
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,502
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Montevallo, AL
University of Montevallo
- Net price / year
- $17,683
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,957
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Montevallo comes closer — median earnings $42,957 against a $70,732 total, vs $34,502 at Alabama State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama State University | University of Montevallo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,435 | $17,683 |
| Total net cost | $81,740 | $70,732 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,502 | $42,957 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $24,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$358,900 | -$178,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Alabama State University or University of Montevallo?
University of Montevallo, at $17,683 a year after aid versus $20,435 — a gap of $2,752 a year, or $11,008 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Alabama State University or University of Montevallo graduates earn more?
University of Montevallo graduates report a median $42,957 ten years after entry, $8,455 more than the $34,502 at Alabama State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Alabama State University or University of Montevallo?
University of Montevallo: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $7,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at University of Montevallo, against 30% at Alabama State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.