Alabama A & M University vs Jefferson State Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Alabama A & M University Normal, AL | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +6% | -266% |
| 10-year net gain | $4,769 | $-57,803 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $53,655 | $41,390 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $41,151 | $43,389 |
| Average net price | $17,621 | $9,086 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,689 |
| Break-even | 9.4 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 24% | — |
| Admission rate | 58% | — |
Alabama A & M University
Break-even
+$4,769 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Jefferson State Community College
Poor return
$-57,803 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.