Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,044/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #62 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $592K $591K $534K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.4x 11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,812
89% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,044 at The University of Alabama come in 14% above the national median of $25,392 for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs.

The 12.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$29,044 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #62 out of 103 programs, The University of Alabama's financial outcomes for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,044 to $54,812 over five years (89% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 32,323 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Alabama

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Alabama's Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication Disorders Sciences and Services to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication Disorders Sciences and Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →