Head-to-head · 2026
Marion Military Institute vs University of South Alabama
Compare average net price ($8,627 at Marion Military Institute; $17,648 at University of South Alabama), ROI score (17.28 vs 6.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,644 vs $49,379), and admissions selectivity (97% acceptance at Marion Military Institute; 71% at University of South Alabama) 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 South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.28 ✓ | 6.99 |
| Avg net price | $8,627 ✓ | $17,648 |
| 4-year avg net price | $34,508 ✓ | $70,592 |
| In-state tuition | $9,538 | $10,116 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,538 | $19,092 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,644 ✓ | $49,379 |
| Acceptance rate | 97% | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 36% | 52.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 46.2% | 75.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,250 ✓ | $24,929 |
| Enrollment | 329 | 8,879 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1068 | 1147 |
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 South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,471 ✓ | $12,657 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,562 ✓ | $13,265 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,584 ✓ | $16,277 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,914 ✓ | $23,252 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,230 ✓ | $25,322 |
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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Marion Military Institute reports the lower average net price by $9,021 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $36,084 difference over four years ($34,508 vs $70,592).
Marion Military Institute reports $10,265 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,644 vs $49,379). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 46.2% at Marion Military Institute and 75.7% at University of South Alabama. Median federal debt among completers is $9,250 vs $24,929, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Marion Military Institute vs University of South Alabama, 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 $17,648 at University of South Alabama. The annual difference of $9,021 adds up to about $36,084 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Marion Military Institute reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,644 vs $49,379 at University of South Alabama. The gap in the federal data is $10,265. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Alabama is more selective at 71% 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.