America's 100 Best College buys, 1997-98 edition ranks the nation's top 100 college educational buys based on cost and quality. The Chronicle of Higher Education reports the University of Alabama 12th in the nation in the number of students who participate in study abroad and international exchange programs. A recent survey by the Alumni Association Executives show yet another way that the University of Alabama distinguishes ourselves. Our alumni support their alma mater. Although UA ranks 51st nationally in the number of alumni for whom we have addresses, we are 4th in the number of donors, 3rd in the amount given by our members and 1st in the number and amount of scholarships given.
Excellence has both a cost and an outcome.
While we could never depend on state funding to fully cover our costs, it is reasonable to expect that the state would adequately invest in an institution which returns so much. Some of you may have known Dr. Bill Gunther, an economist who has researched the value of an undergraduate education at the University. Using a model that quantifies the impact of the University on the lifetime potential earnings of its graduates, and then subsequently on the impact of the state's sales and income tax collections, he projected the economic impact for one graduating class. His study was featured this spring in the Wall Street Journal. An individual student who invests in an undergraduate degree from UA would realize an average annual return on his investment of 21 percent.