Head-to-head · 2026
University of Alabama in Huntsville vs University of South Alabama
Compare average net price ($18,796 at University of Alabama in Huntsville; $17,648 at University of South Alabama), ROI score (8.22 vs 6.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($61,767 vs $49,379), and admissions selectivity (68.6% acceptance at University of Alabama in Huntsville; 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 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.22 ✓ | 6.99 |
| Avg net price | $18,796 | $17,648 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $75,184 | $70,592 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,132 | $10,116 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $26,408 | $19,092 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $61,767 ✓ | $49,379 |
| Acceptance rate | 68.6% | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 64.3% ✓ | 52.7% |
| Retention rate | 84.3% ✓ | 75.7% |
| Median debt | $20,705 ✓ | $24,929 |
| Enrollment | 6,591 | 8,879 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1319 | 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 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,192 | $12,657 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,532 | $13,265 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,210 | $16,277 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,777 ✓ | $23,252 |
| Family income $110k+ | $21,501 ✓ | $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.
| Shared field | University of Alabama in Huntsville | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.8% | 35.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.9% | 2.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 7.5% | 1.6% |
| Biology, General | 4.7% | 4% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5.3% | 1.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.8% | 5.3% |
| Psychology, General | 2% | 2.4% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 2.8% | 1.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Alabama reports the lower average net price by $1,148 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,592 difference over four years ($70,592 vs $75,184).
University of Alabama in Huntsville reports $12,388 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($61,767 vs $49,379). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 84.3% at University of Alabama in Huntsville and 75.7% at University of South Alabama. Median federal debt among completers is $20,705 vs $24,929, respectively.
8 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Alabama in Huntsville vs University of South Alabama, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Alabama is cheaper — average net price $17,648 per year vs $18,796 at University of Alabama in Huntsville. The annual difference of $1,148 adds up to about $4,592 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Alabama in Huntsville reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $61,767 vs $49,379 at University of South Alabama. The gap in the federal data is $12,388. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Alabama in Huntsville is more selective at 68.6% acceptance vs 71% at University of South Alabama.
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.