Head-to-head · 2026
Marion Military Institute vs University of Alabama at Birmingham
Compare average net price ($8,627 at Marion Military Institute; $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham), ROI score (17.28 vs 7.27), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,644 vs $54,501), and admissions selectivity (97% acceptance at Marion Military Institute; 88.2% at University of Alabama at Birmingham) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Marion Military Institute | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.28 ✓ | 7.27 |
| Avg net price | $8,627 ✓ | $18,749 |
| 4-year avg net price | $34,508 ✓ | $74,996 |
| In-state tuition | $9,538 | $9,098 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,538 | $22,562 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,644 ✓ | $54,501 |
| Acceptance rate | 97% | 88.2% |
| Graduation rate | 36% | 64.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 46.2% | 80.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,250 ✓ | $22,300 |
| Enrollment | 329 | 11,635 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1068 | 1258 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Marion Military Institute | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,471 ✓ | $16,172 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,562 ✓ | $15,500 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,584 ✓ | $19,161 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,914 ✓ | $21,805 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,230 ✓ | $22,597 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Marion Military Institute | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 100% | 1.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Marion Military Institute reports the lower average net price by $10,122 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $40,488 difference over four years ($34,508 vs $74,996).
Marion Military Institute reports $5,143 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,644 vs $54,501). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 46.2% at Marion Military Institute and 80.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Median federal debt among completers is $9,250 vs $22,300, respectively.
1 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Marion Military Institute vs University of Alabama at Birmingham, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Marion Military Institute is cheaper — average net price $8,627 per year vs $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The annual difference of $10,122 adds up to about $40,488 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Marion Military Institute reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,644 vs $54,501 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The gap in the federal data is $5,143. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Alabama at Birmingham is more selective at 88.2% acceptance vs 97% at Marion Military Institute.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.