Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

The University of Alabama vs University of Alabama at Birmingham: which has better ROI?

Public, Tuscaloosa AL · vs · Public, Birmingham 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 Birmingham, AL

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Net price / year
$18,749
Earnings, 10 years
$54,501
Payback
12.2 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 12.2 years at University of Alabama at Birmingham, on median earnings of $59,221 vs $54,501 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureThe University of AlabamaUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Net price / yr$22,420$18,749
Total net cost$89,680$74,996
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,221$54,501
Median debt$22,750$22,300
Payback8.3 yrs12.2 yrs
20-year net return$127,540$47,824

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham?

University of Alabama at Birmingham, at $18,749 a year after aid versus $22,420 — a gap of $3,671 a year, or $14,684 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates earn more?

The University of Alabama graduates report a median $59,221 ten years after entry, $4,720 more than the $54,501 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham?

University of Alabama at Birmingham: its completers carry a median $22,300 in federal loans versus $22,750 at The University of Alabama, a difference of $450. 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 64% at University of Alabama at Birmingham. 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Alabama or University of Alabama at Birmingham a better value?
The University of Alabama. It clears its $89,680 net cost in about 8.3 years versus 12.2 years at University of Alabama at Birmingham, on median earnings of $59,221 vs $54,501 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The University of Alabama or University of Alabama at Birmingham?
University of Alabama at Birmingham: $18,749/yr net price after aid versus $22,420/yr at The University of Alabama — a difference of $3,671 a year, or about $14,684 over four years.
Do The University of Alabama or University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates earn more?
The University of Alabama graduates earn a median $59,221 ten years after entry, versus $54,501 at University of Alabama at Birmingham — a $4,720 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.