Information Science/Studies at Alabama State University

Alabama State's Information Science program graduates start at $30,651—roughly half the national median and $20,000 below other Alabama programs. While 46% earnings growth sounds promising, even year-four earnings of $44,692 trail the national median for this degree by nearly $14,000. Among Alabama's four information science programs, this ranks at the bottom 10th percentile, with competitors like Strayer and South Alabama posting significantly stronger outcomes.

The debt picture adds to the concern. At nearly $32,000, graduates carry debt equal to their entire first-year salary—a problematic ratio when starting earnings are this low. Though this debt level is below the national median for the program, that's cold comfort when your graduate owes as much as they'll earn in year one. The math becomes particularly challenging for the 72% of students here on Pell grants, who often have less family financial cushion to manage loan payments.

This appears to be a case where the institution's 96% admission rate and 977 average SAT score signal broader resource constraints that show up in graduate outcomes. For students committed to information science in Alabama, the data clearly points toward University of South Alabama or even South University-Montgomery as safer investments. If Alabama State is the only option due to location or other factors, students should be prepared for below-market starting salaries and plan accordingly with their debt load.