Head-to-head · 2026
Lurleen B Wallace Community College vs University of Alabama at Birmingham
Compare average net price ($2,792 at Lurleen B Wallace Community College; $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham), ROI score (28.93 vs 7.27), ten-year median earnings ($32,307 vs $54,501), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lurleen B Wallace Community College; 88.2% at University of Alabama at Birmingham) using federal College Scorecard data. The metric count is evenly split at 2-2. Lurleen B Wallace Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Lurleen B Wallace Community College | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 28.93 ✓ | 7.27 |
| Avg net price | $2,792 ✓ | $18,749 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $32,307 | $54,501 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 88.2% |
| Graduation rate | 41% | 64.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $22,300 |
| Enrollment | 1,097 | 11,635 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1258 |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
University of Alabama at Birmingham costs $15,957 more per year than Lurleen B Wallace Community College ($18,749 vs $2,792). University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates report $22,194 higher median earnings after ten years ($54,501 vs $32,307). On EduGradify's model that puts Lurleen B Wallace Community College ahead on projected ROI (28.93 vs 7.27, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Lurleen B Wallace Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, University of Alabama at Birmingham reports 88.2% acceptance; Lurleen B Wallace Community College does not report a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data.
Frequently asked
Lurleen B Wallace Community College vs University of Alabama at Birmingham, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Lurleen B Wallace Community College or University of Alabama at Birmingham the better value?
Lurleen B Wallace Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (28.93 vs 7.27), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lurleen B Wallace Community College is cheaper — average net price $2,792 per year vs $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The annual difference of $15,957 adds up to about $63,828 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Alabama at Birmingham reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $54,501 vs $32,307 at Lurleen B Wallace Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $22,194.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Lurleen B Wallace Community College reports a A+ value grade; University of Alabama at Birmingham reports C.