Hospitality Administration/Management at University of South Alabama

Starting at $28,000 annually, South Alabama's hospitality program earns less than most alternatives in a field where early-career pay already skews low. While graduates here carry about $6,000 less debt than the state median, that lower debt load doesn't offset the earnings gap—their first-year salary lands $4,000 below the Alabama median and trails Auburn hospitality grads by more than $12,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 looks manageable on paper, but remember that's against modest income that needs to cover rent, transportation, and living expenses in addition to loan payments.

The bright spot is relatively contained borrowing at $18,500, putting graduates in a better position than the national median of nearly $24,000. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this data sample, these numbers could swing considerably year to year, making it difficult to bank on these figures. For a family comparing hospitality programs in Alabama, the larger programs at Auburn or Alabama offer both stronger earning potential and more reliable outcomes data.

If hospitality management is the goal, this program's lower debt won't compensate for the earnings disadvantage over a career. Students serious about the field should weigh whether the cost savings of attending South Alabama justify entering the workforce at a significant pay disadvantage compared to peers from other Alabama programs.