Alabama State University
#8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama- Graduation Rate
- 30% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,502 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $20,435 C-
- 19% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.3 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama.
Every $1 spent returns $11.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $844,237.
What The Data Says
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A D overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 30% — 47% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Alabama State University
Alabama State University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 3,477
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Alabama State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 749–967. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,435 a year after grants and scholarships — 19% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,502 ten years after enrolling — 15% below the typical college, against $31,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.78 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Alabama State University has an acceptance rate of 98%, making it one of the most accessible public universities in the U.S. This high acceptance rate allows a diverse range of students to pursue higher education in Montgomery, Alabama.
The data on economic mobility for graduates is limited, but with a graduation rate of only 30%, it highlights the challenges students face in completing their degrees. For those who do graduate, the average earnings ten years after enrollment stand at $34,502, which can be a motivating factor for students considering the potential return on their investment.
The net price for attending Alabama State University is $20,435, and many students rely on financial aid, with 71% of the student body receiving Pell Grants. Graduates carry a median debt of $31,000. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, and Health Professions. Those ready for a supportive environment may find a good fit at this university.
Rankings
- #8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Alabama
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Alabama
- #12 Best Computer Science Colleges in Alabama
- #12 Best Data Science Colleges in Alabama
- #16 Best Education Colleges in Alabama
- #17 Best Biology Colleges in Alabama
- #20 Best HBCUs for Visual
- #20 Best HBCUs for Graphic Design
Can I Get In?
How selective Alabama State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Alabama State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Alabama, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 976. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 976
- ACT Midpoint
- 18
- SAT Range
- 749–967
- ACT Range
- 15–20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,153
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.26
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 6,731
- Admitted
- 6,502
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Alabama State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Alabama State University is $19,576, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,435. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,711 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,248
- Out-of-State
- $19,576
- Avg Net Price
- $20,435
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 71%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 74%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,711
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,682
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,508
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,031
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Alabama State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Alabama State University report median earnings of $34,502, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,453
- 8 Years
- $32,520
- 10 Years
- $34,502
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.9x
- Earning > $25K
- 39%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (156)
- 15%
- 100% (156)
- 15%
- 100% (156)
- 15%
- 100% (156)
- 15%
How Alabama Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Alabama State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Alabama State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,435/year ($81,740 total). Graduates earn $34,502 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $925,977 in total earnings — a net gain of $844,237 (11.3× your investment). The median debt is $31,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $81,740
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $925,977
- Net Return
- $844,237
- ROI Multiple
- 11.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,435
- Median Debt
- $31,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-3,276,318
Top Programs
The fields Alabama State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Criminal Justice 12%
- Business & Marketing 12%
- Biology & Biomedical 11%
- Visual & Performing Arts 10%
- Health Professions 9%
- Education 7%
- Psychology 6%
- Communications 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Alabama State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Alabama State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Alabama, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 976. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Alabama State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Alabama State University is $19,576, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,435. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,711 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $31,000 in federal student loans.
Is Alabama State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Alabama State University report median earnings of $34,502, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Alabama State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Alabama State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Compare Alabama State University
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Alabama State University.
- College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick, GA · Close peer26% grad $39,318 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Herzing University-MadisonMadison, WI · Close peer28% grad $36,909 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central State UniversityWilberforce, OH · Close peer24% grad $33,267 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg, SC · Close peer33% grad $38,262 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS · Close peer41% grad $39,060 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
- Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · Close peer33% grad $35,833 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Alabama State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Alabama State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note