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Net Price of Alabama Colleges by Income

Cost of Alabama Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

Questions & Answers

What do all these numbers mean?

All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

What is “Total Cost” on the chart?

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.

How can I use this information?

This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $19,624 and the average private school would be $24,084. You can also get information on specific Alabama schools in the chart above or the tables below.

Will my family pay the amount on this chart?

Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.

Where did this information come from?

As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.

What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?

Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.

The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?

For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:

  • College savings and investments
  • Payments from current income
  • Loans
  • Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
  • Tax planning
  • Student work
Cost of Alabama Schools Explanation

Net Price:

Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.

Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.

Total Cost at The University of Alabama (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $11,620
Room and Board $13,810
Books $1,000
Other Expenses $4,620
Total $31,050

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

College Total Cost
Family Income AL Public $25,197 AL Private $38,569
$0 - $30k $13,837 $18,716
$30,001 – $48k $15,101 $18,918
$48,001 – $75k $17,491 $22,467
$75,001 – $110k $19,624 $24,084
$110,001+ $20,020 $25,400

Public vs. Private Averages

This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Alabama public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $4,000-$6,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.

Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Alabama. Click a school to view its complete chart.

Public AL Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Alabama A & M University

    Normal
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,024 $10,024
    Room and Board $9,240 $9,520
    Books $1,600 $1,600
    Other Expenses $3,090 $3,090
    Total $23,954 $24,234
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,177 $12,319
    $30,001 - $48k $12,300 $12,444
    $48,001 - $75k $15,508 $15,689
    $75,001 - $110k $16,707 $16,902
    $110,001+ $18,857 $19,077
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,568 $8,568
    Room and Board $12,307 $12,307
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $5,555 $5,555
    Total $27,630 $27,630
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,862 $13,862
    $30,001 - $48k $15,370 $15,370
    $48,001 - $75k $16,847 $16,847
    $75,001 - $110k $18,230 $18,230
    $110,001+ $20,054 $20,054
  • University of Alabama in Huntsville

    Huntsville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,338 $11,488
    Room and Board $10,652 $10,764
    Books $2,200 $2,300
    Other Expenses $4,076 $4,156
    Total $28,266 $28,708
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,654 $14,883
    $30,001 - $48k $14,646 $14,875
    $48,001 - $75k $18,572 $18,862
    $75,001 - $110k $19,206 $19,506
    $110,001+ $19,423 $19,727
  • Alabama State University

    Montgomery
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,068 $11,068
    Room and Board $6,050 $6,050
    Books $1,600 $1,600
    Other Expenses $3,392 $3,392
    Total $22,110 $22,110
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,877 $12,877
    $30,001 - $48k $14,170 $14,170
    $48,001 - $75k $13,992 $13,992
    $75,001 - $110k $20,568 $20,568
    $110,001+ $21,938 $21,938
  • The University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,620 $11,620
    Room and Board $13,810 $13,934
    Books $1,000 $800
    Other Expenses $4,620 $4,670
    Total $31,050 $31,024
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,338 $18,323
    $30,001 - $48k $20,121 $20,104
    $48,001 - $75k $21,957 $21,939
    $75,001 - $110k $23,830 $23,810
    $110,001+ $24,948 $24,927
  • Auburn University at Montgomery

    Montgomery
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,860 $8,860
    Room and Board $6,980 $7,368
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $3,830 $3,830
    Total $20,870 $21,258
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,565 $12,799
    $30,001 - $48k $13,773 $14,029
    $48,001 - $75k $15,661 $15,952
    $75,001 - $110k $17,249 $17,570
    $110,001+ $15,387 $15,673
  • Auburn University

    Auburn
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,796 $11,826
    Room and Board $13,778 $14,596
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $5,904 $6,028
    Total $32,678 $33,650
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,701 $17,198
    $30,001 - $48k $19,313 $19,887
    $48,001 - $75k $22,379 $23,045
    $75,001 - $110k $24,989 $25,732
    $110,001+ $26,836 $27,634
  • Jacksonville State University

    Jacksonville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,120 $11,120
    Room and Board $8,110 $8,320
    Books $1,196 $1,196
    Other Expenses $2,003 $1,997
    Total $22,429 $22,633
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,017 $16,163
    $30,001 - $48k $17,293 $17,450
    $48,001 - $75k $20,335 $20,520
    $75,001 - $110k $21,862 $22,061
    $110,001+ $22,023 $22,223
  • University of West Alabama

    Livingston
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,990 $10,990
    Room and Board $7,510 $7,594
    Books $1,216 $1,216
    Other Expenses $3,505 $3,505
    Total $23,221 $23,305
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,938 $14,992
    $30,001 - $48k $16,479 $16,539
    $48,001 - $75k $17,186 $17,248
    $75,001 - $110k $18,235 $18,301
    $110,001+ $17,032 $17,094
  • University of Montevallo

    Montevallo
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $13,710 $13,710
    Room and Board $9,810 $9,936
    Books $1,020 $1,020
    Other Expenses $3,180 $3,180
    Total $27,720 $27,846
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,937 $14,000
    $30,001 - $48k $16,120 $16,193
    $48,001 - $75k $19,582 $19,671
    $75,001 - $110k $21,091 $21,187
    $110,001+ $21,633 $21,731
  • University of North Alabama

    Florence
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,620 $10,620
    Room and Board $7,966 $7,966
    Books $1,500 $1,500
    Other Expenses $2,800 $2,800
    Total $22,886 $22,886
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,228 $10,228
    $30,001 - $48k $10,828 $10,828
    $48,001 - $75k $12,956 $12,956
    $75,001 - $110k $15,356 $15,356
    $110,001+ $15,388 $15,388
  • University of South Alabama

    Mobile
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,396 $8,756
    Room and Board $7,900 $8,150
    Books $1,200 $1,300
    Other Expenses $5,370 $4,762
    Total $22,866 $22,968
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,305 $11,355
    $30,001 - $48k $12,976 $13,034
    $48,001 - $75k $17,403 $17,481
    $75,001 - $110k $21,560 $21,656
    $110,001+ $22,139 $22,238
  • Troy University

    Troy
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,908 $9,312
    Room and Board $6,904 $7,599
    Books $1,300 $1,300
    Other Expenses $4,766 $4,766
    Total $21,878 $22,977
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,287 $12,904
    $30,001 - $48k $12,921 $13,570
    $48,001 - $75k $14,999 $15,752
    $75,001 - $110k $16,223 $17,038
    $110,001+ $14,597 $15,330

Private AL Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Birmingham Southern College

    Birmingham
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $18,900 $20,100
    Room and Board $12,900 $13,600
    Books $1,260 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,770 $2,770
    Total $35,830 $37,470
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,500 $18,301
    $30,001 - $48k $17,302 $18,094
    $48,001 - $75k $17,602 $18,408
    $75,001 - $110k $21,925 $22,929
    $110,001+ $23,073 $24,129
  • Faulkner University

    Montgomery
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $22,990 $23,490
    Room and Board $8,100 $7,900
    Books $1,800 $1,800
    Other Expenses $4,400 $4,400
    Total $37,290 $37,590
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,051 $19,204
    $30,001 - $48k $19,477 $19,634
    $48,001 - $75k $19,901 $20,061
    $75,001 - $110k $22,116 $22,294
    $110,001+ $22,580 $22,762
  • Huntingdon College

    Montgomery
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $27,900 $27,900
    Room and Board $10,150 $10,460
    Books $300 $300
    Other Expenses $2,068 $2,068
    Total $40,418 $40,728
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,670 $19,821
    $30,001 - $48k $20,339 $20,495
    $48,001 - $75k $24,665 $24,854
    $75,001 - $110k $26,257 $26,458
    $110,001+ $24,617 $24,806
  • Miles College

    Fairfield
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,714 $12,714
    Room and Board $7,348 $7,348
    Books $250 $250
    Other Expenses $2,832 $2,832
    Total $23,144 $23,144
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,181 $14,181
    $30,001 - $48k $15,434 $15,434
    $48,001 - $75k $17,921 $17,921
    $75,001 - $110k $16,509 $16,509
    $110,001+ $19,145 $19,145
  • University of Mobile

    Mobile
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $24,310 $24,855
    Room and Board $9,886 $10,088
    Books $1,800 $1,800
    Other Expenses $4,750 $4,750
    Total $40,746 $41,493
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,325 $14,588
    $30,001 - $48k $15,600 $15,886
    $48,001 - $75k $22,093 $22,498
    $75,001 - $110k $21,348 $21,739
    $110,001+ $22,464 $22,876
  • Oakwood University

    Huntsville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $19,990 $19,990
    Room and Board $9,374 $9,374
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $6,800 $8,000
    Total $37,364 $38,564
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,804 $21,472
    $30,001 - $48k $20,643 $21,306
    $48,001 - $75k $22,871 $23,606
    $75,001 - $110k $24,659 $25,451
    $110,001+ $26,791 $27,651
  • Samford University

    Birmingham
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $34,198 $35,360
    Room and Board $11,260 $11,260
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $4,856 $4,894
    Total $51,314 $52,514
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $22,382 $22,905
    $30,001 - $48k $24,416 $24,987
    $48,001 - $75k $28,936 $29,613
    $75,001 - $110k $30,577 $31,292
    $110,001+ $34,207 $35,007
  • Spring Hill College

    Mobile
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $41,868 $21,100
    Room and Board $14,062 $11,440
    Books $1,750 $1,750
    Other Expenses $2,863 $2,714
    Total $60,543 $37,004
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,620 $8,936
    $30,001 - $48k $13,532 $8,271
    $48,001 - $75k $20,078 $12,272
    $75,001 - $110k $24,328 $14,869
    $110,001+ $26,939 $16,465
  • Stillman College

    Tuscaloosa
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,322 $11,392
    Room and Board $10,054 $10,054
    Books $2,034 $2,034
    Other Expenses $4,572 $4,572
    Total $27,982 $28,052
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,225 $15,263
    $30,001 - $48k $17,677 $17,721
    $48,001 - $75k $20,666 $20,718
    $75,001 - $110k $22,773 $22,830
    $110,001+ $23,340 $23,398
  • Talladega College

    Talladega
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $13,866 $13,886
    Room and Board $8,934 $8,934
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $2,100 $2,100
    Total $27,700 $27,720
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,099 $13,108
    $30,001 - $48k $13,035 $13,044
    $48,001 - $75k $15,556 $15,567
    $75,001 - $110k $16,198 $16,210
    $110,001+ $17,433 $17,446
  • Tuskegee University

    Tuskegee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $22,614 $22,614
    Room and Board $9,844 $9,844
    Books $1,812 $1,812
    Other Expenses $7,654 $7,654
    Total $41,924 $41,924
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $35,020 $35,020
    $30,001 - $48k $30,638 $30,638
    $48,001 - $75k $36,852 $36,852
    $75,001 - $110k $38,229 $38,229
    $110,001+ $38,809 $38,809
 

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