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Head-to-head comparison

The University of Alabama vs Spring Hill College: which has better ROI?

Public, Tuscaloosa AL · vs · Private nonprofit, Mobile AL

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama

Net price / year
$22,420
Earnings, 10 years
$59,221
Payback
8.3 yrs

Option B Mobile, AL

Spring Hill College

Net price / year
$20,449
Earnings, 10 years
$51,500
Payback
26 yrs
The verdict

The University of Alabama has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,680 in 8.3 years versus 26 years at Spring Hill College, on median earnings of $59,221 vs $51,500 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of AlabamaSpring Hill College
Net price / yr$22,420$20,449
Total net cost$89,680$81,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,221$51,500
Median debt$22,750$27,000
Payback8.3 yrs26 yrs
20-year net return$127,540-$18,996

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 Spring Hill College?

Spring Hill College, at $20,449 a year after aid versus $22,420 — a gap of $1,971 a year, or $7,884 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 Spring Hill College graduates earn more?

The University of Alabama graduates report a median $59,221 ten years after entry, $7,721 more than the $51,500 at Spring Hill 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 leaves students with less debt, The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College?

The University of Alabama: its completers carry a median $22,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Spring Hill College, a difference of $4,250. 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?

73% of students finish at The University of Alabama, against 52% at Spring Hill 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.

The University of Alabama vs Spring Hill College: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College a better value?
The University of Alabama. It clears its $89,680 net cost in about 8.3 years versus 26 years at Spring Hill College, on median earnings of $59,221 vs $51,500 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College?
Spring Hill College: $20,449/yr net price after aid versus $22,420/yr at The University of Alabama — a difference of $1,971 a year, or about $7,884 over four years.
Do The University of Alabama or Spring Hill College graduates earn more?
The University of Alabama graduates earn a median $59,221 ten years after entry, versus $51,500 at Spring Hill College — a $7,721 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.