Head-to-head · 2026
University of North Alabama vs University of South Alabama
Compare average net price ($12,170 at University of North Alabama; $17,648 at University of South Alabama), ROI score (9.33 vs 6.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,415 vs $49,379), and admissions selectivity (87.3% acceptance at University of North Alabama; 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 North Alabama | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.33 ✓ | 6.99 |
| Avg net price | $12,170 ✓ | $17,648 |
| 4-year avg net price | $48,680 ✓ | $70,592 |
| In-state tuition | $12,120 | $10,116 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,320 | $19,092 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,415 | $49,379 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 87.3% | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 54.9% ✓ | 52.7% |
| Retention rate | 79.7% ✓ | 75.7% |
| Median debt | $22,077 ✓ | $24,929 |
| Enrollment | 5,811 | 8,879 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 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 North Alabama | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,741 ✓ | $12,657 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,127 ✓ | $13,265 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,665 ✓ | $16,277 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,903 ✓ | $23,252 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,866 ✓ | $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 North Alabama | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.2% | 35.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 18.5% | 2.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 10.8% | 5.3% |
| Biology, General | 2.3% | 4% |
| Social Work | 5.2% | 0.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.9% | 1.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.8% | 0.3% |
| Marketing | 2.5% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of North Alabama reports the lower average net price by $5,478 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $21,912 difference over four years ($48,680 vs $70,592).
University of South Alabama reports $3,964 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,379 vs $45,415). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.7% at University of North Alabama and 75.7% at University of South Alabama. Median federal debt among completers is $22,077 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 North Alabama 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 North Alabama is cheaper — average net price $12,170 per year vs $17,648 at University of South Alabama. The annual difference of $5,478 adds up to about $21,912 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Alabama reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,379 vs $45,415 at University of North Alabama. The gap in the federal data is $3,964. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Alabama is more selective at 71% acceptance vs 87.3% at University of North 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.