Auburn University
#1 Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $65,337 A
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $24,323 D
- 42% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 46% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates.
Every $1 spent returns $16.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,530,906.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 60% more than the national college median.
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A 81% graduation rate — 41% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.5%
- Top 47%
- Patents
- 193
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #350-400
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 313
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 19/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Auburn University Matters
Auburn University is a public research university in Auburn, AL ranked #350-400 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 26,816
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions
Why students choose Auburn 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
Selective — admits about 46% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1260–1390. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,323 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $65,337 ten years after enrolling — 60% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.50 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Auburn University has a graduation rate of 81%, reflecting the institution's commitment to student success. With nearly 27,000 enrolled students, Auburn combines a vibrant campus life with strong academic outcomes. This high graduation rate indicates that students are well-supported in their educational journeys.
The economic mobility data specific to Auburn is not available, but the average earnings for graduates ten years after enrollment stand at $65,337. This figure suggests that Auburn graduates tend to find stable employment and earn competitive salaries in their fields. The university's focus on programs like Business & Marketing, Engineering, and Health Professions positions students for strong career trajectories.
In terms of cost, the net price for attending Auburn is $24,323, with a median debt of $21,000 upon graduation. These figures suggest that students who manage their finances wisely can graduate with a manageable debt load. Auburn is a good fit for students who value a solid education and seek to enter high-demand fields after graduation.
Rankings
- #1 Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates
- #1 Colleges With the Highest Mobility Rates
- #1 Best Success Rate for Low-Income Students
- #1 Most Accessible Elite Colleges
- #2 Best Colleges in Alabama
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Alabama
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in Alabama
Can I Get In?
How selective Auburn 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 Auburn University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Auburn, Alabama, Auburn University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 46%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,345. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 46%
- Retention Rate
- 95%
- SAT Average
- 1345
- SAT Range
- 1260–1390
- ACT Range
- 26–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,324
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.31
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 45,693
- Admitted
- 19,988
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 Auburn University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Auburn University is $34,922, 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 $24,323. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,681 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,890
- Out-of-State
- $34,922
- Avg Net Price
- $24,323
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 13%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 26%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,681
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,627
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,558
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,547
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Auburn University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Auburn University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Auburn University earn a median of $65,337, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,629
- 8 Years
- $61,406
- 10 Years
- $65,337
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,325)
- 51%
- 100% (2,325)
- 51%
- 100% (2,325)
- 51%
- 100% (2,325)
- 51%
How Auburn Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Auburn University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Auburn University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,323/year ($97,292 total). Graduates earn $65,337 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,628,198 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,530,906 (16.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $97,292
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,628,198
- Net Return
- $1,530,906
- ROI Multiple
- 16.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,323
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Auburn University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Auburn University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $123,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 32.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $167,386
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Auburn University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 193 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 19/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.49%
- Top 47% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 193
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 313
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 19/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 10/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 47/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-130,507,169
Top Programs
The fields Auburn University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 27% $64,592 early-career
- Engineering 16% $88,611 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $32,309 early-career
- Health Professions 6% $67,824 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $63,400 early-career
- Communications 4% $47,035 early-career
- Education 3% $44,169 early-career
- Psychology 3% $33,658 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Auburn 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Auburn University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Auburn, Alabama, Auburn University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 46%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,345. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Auburn University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Auburn University is $34,922, 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 $24,323. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,681 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is Auburn University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Auburn University earn a median of $65,337, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Auburn University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Auburn University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $123,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Auburn University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Auburn University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, 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 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Auburn University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Auburn University at #350-400 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 19/100, teaching at 34/100, and citation impact of 10/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does Auburn University offer Early Decision?
No. Auburn University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Compare Auburn University
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Auburn University.
- North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Close peer85% grad $68,758 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · Close peer78% grad $62,177 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN · Close peer74% grad $60,249 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · Close peer83% grad $71,631 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Clemson UniversityClemson, SC · Close peer87% grad $71,513 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA · Close peer85% grad $66,125 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Auburn University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Auburn University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, 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 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note