Head-to-head comparison
Alabama State University vs University of West Alabama: 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 Livingston, AL
University of West Alabama
- Net price / year
- $12,684
- Earnings, 10 years
- $44,232
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of West Alabama comes closer — median earnings $44,232 against a $50,736 total, vs $34,502 at Alabama State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama State University | University of West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,435 | $12,684 |
| Total net cost | $81,740 | $50,736 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,502 | $44,232 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $24,944 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$358,900 | -$133,296 |
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 West Alabama?
University of West Alabama, at $12,684 a year after aid versus $20,435 — a gap of $7,751 a year, or $31,004 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 West Alabama graduates earn more?
University of West Alabama graduates report a median $44,232 ten years after entry, $9,730 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 West Alabama?
University of West Alabama: its completers carry a median $24,944 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Alabama State University, a difference of $6,056. 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?
35% of students finish at University of West Alabama, 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.