Head-to-head comparison
University of West Alabama vs Central Alabama Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Livingston, AL
University of West Alabama
- Net price / year
- $12,684
- Earnings, 10 years
- $44,232
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Alexander City, AL
Central Alabama Community College
- Net price / year
- $15,996
- Earnings, 10 years
- $33,506
- 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 $33,506 at Central Alabama Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of West Alabama | Central Alabama Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,684 | $15,996 |
| Total net cost | $50,736 | $63,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,232 | $33,506 |
| Median debt | $24,944 | $9,766 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,296 | -$361,064 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of West Alabama or Central Alabama Community College?
University of West Alabama, at $12,684 a year after aid versus $15,996 — a gap of $3,312 a year, or $13,248 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 University of West Alabama or Central Alabama Community College graduates earn more?
University of West Alabama graduates report a median $44,232 ten years after entry, $10,726 more than the $33,506 at Central Alabama 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 leaves students with less debt, University of West Alabama or Central Alabama Community College?
Central Alabama Community College: its completers carry a median $9,766 in federal loans versus $24,944 at University of West Alabama, a difference of $15,178. 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 33% at Central Alabama 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.