Head-to-head comparison
The University of Alabama vs Shelton State Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Tuscaloosa, AL
The University of Alabama
- Net price / year
- $22,420
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,221
- Payback
- 8.3 yrs
Option B Tuscaloosa, AL
Shelton State Community College
- Net price / year
- $14,557
- Earnings, 10 years
- $35,014
- Payback
- No payback
The University of Alabama has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,680 in 8.3 years versus not at all at Shelton State Community College, on median earnings of $59,221 vs $35,014 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Alabama | Shelton State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,420 | $14,557 |
| Total net cost | $89,680 | $58,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,221 | $35,014 |
| Median debt | $22,750 | — |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $127,540 | -$325,148 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, The University of Alabama or Shelton State Community College?
Shelton State Community College, at $14,557 a year after aid versus $22,420 — a gap of $7,863 a year, or $31,452 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 The University of Alabama or Shelton State Community College graduates earn more?
The University of Alabama graduates report a median $59,221 ten years after entry, $24,207 more than the $35,014 at Shelton State Community College. 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 graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at The University of Alabama, against 30% at Shelton State Community College. 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.