Head-to-head · 2026
University of South Alabama vs University of West Alabama
Compare average net price ($17,648 at University of South Alabama; $12,684 at University of West Alabama), ROI score (6.99 vs 8.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,379 vs $44,232), and admissions selectivity (71% acceptance at University of South Alabama; 42.7% at University of West 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 South Alabama | University of West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.99 | 8.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,648 | $12,684 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $70,592 | $50,736 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,116 | $10,990 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,092 | $20,090 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,379 ✓ | $44,232 |
| Acceptance rate | 71% | 42.7% |
| Graduation rate | 52.7% ✓ | 34.7% |
| Retention rate | 75.7% ✓ | 64.9% |
| Median debt | $24,929 ✓ | $24,944 |
| Enrollment | 8,879 | 2,974 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1147 | 1015 |
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 South Alabama | University of West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,657 | $12,179 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,265 | $12,523 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,277 | $14,606 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $23,252 | $18,550 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $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 South Alabama | University of West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.3% | 33.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 35.4% | 2.3% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 0.7% | 12% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.8% | 7.5% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 0.4% | 8.3% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 0.6% | 6.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.8% | 4.1% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.5% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of West Alabama reports the lower average net price by $4,964 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $19,856 difference over four years ($50,736 vs $70,592).
University of South Alabama reports $5,147 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,379 vs $44,232). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.7% at University of South Alabama and 64.9% at University of West Alabama. Median federal debt among completers is $24,929 vs $24,944, 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 South Alabama vs University of West Alabama, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of West Alabama is cheaper — average net price $12,684 per year vs $17,648 at University of South Alabama. The annual difference of $4,964 adds up to about $19,856 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 $44,232 at University of West Alabama. The gap in the federal data is $5,147. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of West Alabama is more selective at 42.7% 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.