Best Colleges in Alabama: A Comprehensive Ranking and Guide

Colleges and universities in Alabama provide a rich multicultural community, professional career paths, and various opportunities for college-bound students to earn a degree that matches their expectations and career aspirations. Alabama, home to 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and both public and private universities, is packed with schools that offer small student-faculty ratios and options for adult students to earn associate degrees that fit their schedules and needs. Whether you're interested in psychology or computer science, Alabama's colleges could be a great fit for anyone looking for quality education and a historically rich student life.

This article delves into some of the best colleges in Alabama, considering factors such as school quality, outcomes, return on investment (ROI), retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance.

Top Public and Private Colleges in Alabama

Here's a detailed look at some of the top-ranked public and private colleges in Alabama:

1. Auburn University - Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University, with its 1,841-acre campus and 427 buildings, offers students a choice of 150 majors. The school is well-known for its football team, the Auburn Tigers, and on game days, Auburn becomes the fifth-largest city in the state due to the large number of fans in attendance. Currently, 24,931 undergraduates attend Auburn, and its acceptance rate is 85%. The out-of-state tuition and fees are approximately $31,956, while in-state costs are $11,796.

Auburn University has had four different names since opening its doors in 1859: East Alabama Male College, Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and finally Auburn University in 1960. Auburn is known for its healthy rivalry with the University of Alabama. The two schools square off annually on the football field in a game dubbed “the Iron Bowl,” which is considered by many as college football’s best rivalry.

Auburn is ranked 29th in first-year experiences. For best first-year experiences, college presidents, provosts, and admissions deans nominated 15 schools. Rankings are based on the total number of nominations. Schools must receive at least 10 nominations to be ranked.

2. Samford University - Birmingham, Alabama

As a leading Christian university, Samford University provides students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts through its ten academic schools. Samford's vision and mission for their campus stresses learning and personal faith in the Baptist tradition, championing academics and career in addition to civic responsibility and service to others. The university employs a 4-1-4-based academic calendar, and its annual fiscal and economic impact on Alabama totals $424.8 million. Today, the college remains grounded in the Baptist tradition-Samford University is one of the most conservative colleges in the country.

3. The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, is one of the top 60 public universities in the country. Known as "The Capstone," the Tuscaloosa campus offers nearly 200 degree programs and enrolled the largest freshman class in its history in the fall of 2021, welcoming 38,320 students to its campus. The fall 2020 acceptance rate was 80%, with the majority of applicants scoring between 1070 and 1330 on the SAT.

In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, The University of Alabama is ranked No. 171 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. 92 in Top Public Schools. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,435 (fall 2023), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,143 acres. The student-faculty ratio at The University of Alabama is 19:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The University of Alabama accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $12,180; out-of-state tuition and fees are $34,172. Forty-one percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $20,888. The four-year graduation rate is 56%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $52,233.

As one of the best colleges in the state, UA has a lot to brag about. The school is home to 940 National Merit Scholars and has been a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for five of the past six years (six University of Alabama students were awarded Fulbright Awards for 2021-2022). Overshadowing UA’s academics is its football team, which has won 16 National Championships (five since 2010). Niche ranks the University of Alabama as the second-best athletic program in the nation.

Read also: High School Diploma Jobs

4. The University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham, Alabama

A total of 172 degrees are available at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and 81.8% of the university's students come from Alabama. For the fall 2021-2022 academic year, UAB's in-state tuition and fees equal $10,710, and out-of-state is roughly $25,500. UAB was established in 1969, and the most popular majors are biological and biomedical sciences, business, communication, and journalism. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public research university with roots as a medical college-its lineage begins with the 1859 founding of the Medical College of Alabama. Today, UAB is the only accredited school of public health in Alabama, and UAB academics are becoming increasingly more prestigious. In 2020, eight UAB students and alumni were selected to receive Fulbright awards. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is ranked 13th among nursing programs.

5. The University of Alabama in Huntsville - Huntsville, Alabama

As one of the nation's premier research universities, the University of Alabama in Huntsville boasts a nearly 500-acre campus with 17 high-tech research centers and labs, as well as roughly $131.6 million in expenditures. There are 89 degree programs available at UAH, and the university welcomed about 9,636 students last fall. In the state of Alabama, UAH has been consistently ranked #1 in return on investments among public and private colleges. Research takes center stage at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The school is home to 17 high-tech research centers and labs responsible for nearly $131.6 million in annual research expenditures. The school is also part of the Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the nation.

6. Birmingham-Southern College - Birmingham, Alabama

Founded in 1856, Birmingham-Southern College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,129, and the most popular majors across the university include business administration and management, biology, and psychology. BSC is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers 29 undergraduate majors, 26 minors, and 3 distinctions. BSC's Urban Environmental Studies program partners with the Southern Environmental Center, the largest educational facility in Alabama, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve to provide unique research opportunities for students. Birmingham-Southern College is a private liberal arts college that’s affiliated with the Methodist Church. The college offers 29 majors ranging from accounting to urban environmental studies. BSC is notable for its 4-1-4 academic calendar, which features two semesters of four units each along with one Exploration Term (or E-term) course.

7. Huntingdon College - Montgomery, Alabama

Originally founded in 1854 as a women's college, Huntingdon College is a Methodist liberal arts school that serves approximately 1100 undergraduate students and boasts more than 50 clubs and student organizations. 60% of Huntingdon's classes have fewer than 20 students, and the college has been ranked among the top 10 Best Values in Regional Colleges-South. The acceptance rate for Fall 2020 was 54%, and the school has a rolling application deadline.

8. University of Mobile - Mobile, Alabama

As a Christ-centered liberal arts college, the University of Mobile centers the gospel of Jesus Christ in all that it does and applies "Higher Education for a Higher Purpose." The university has over 75 academic programs and a total undergraduate enrollment of roughly 1,750. Tuition and fees are $24,540 and the most popular majors include nursing and business administration and management. Approximately 75% of full-time undergraduate students receive need-based financial assistance. The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered private college affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. The school believes in higher education for a higher purpose and offers more than 75 academic programs with a low 13:1 student to faculty ratio.

9. Tuskegee University - Tuskegee, Alabama

Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee University is a historically Black land-grant university that offers more than 60 degree programs across five colleges and three schools. The National Park Service designated the campus as the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, and it is the only HBCU that holds that title. TU is a leading producer of African American aerospace science engineers and the largest producer of African-Americans with baccalaureate degrees in Math, Science, and Engineering in Alabama. Tuskegee University has the distinction of being one of the best colleges in Alabama and one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the nation. Tuskegee is seemingly intertwined with the nation’s history-its founder and first president was the noted educator and reformer Booker T. Washington; it’s home to the Tuskegee airmen; and it was the alma mater of the first African-American winner of the National Book Award, Ralph Ellison.

10. University of Montevallo - Montevallo, Alabama

The University of Montevallo was the first institution of higher learning in Alabama to guarantee its teacher-education graduates in Alabama and Canada. The university was founded in 1896 and offers degrees from four different colleges - the College of Arts & Sciences, the Michael E. Stephens College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Fine Arts. Out-of-state tuition is $25,110, and in-state tuition is $12,090. In addition to being one of the best colleges in Alabama, the University of Montevallo is also the state’s only public liberal arts college and one of just 27 in the nation. The University of Montevallo began as an all-girls school in 1896 and didn’t accept men until 1956. Today, the school is coeducational, although women remain the majority-more than 70% of the student body is female. The University of Montevallo is 8th in the best value rankings.

Top Community Colleges in Alabama

For students seeking affordable education and specialized training, Alabama's community colleges offer excellent opportunities:

1. Northeast Alabama Community College - Rainsville, Alabama

Northeast Alabama Community College has consistently ranked in the top colleges for student retention and success rates in Alabama. The college recently opened a state-of-the-art Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Technology Center, which includes 22 computer labs available to the student body. Tuition at NACC is roughly 50-60% of that at a four-year university.

2. Shelton State Community College - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Shelton State Community College is one of the largest two-year colleges in Alabama and serves roughly 7,00 students. Shelton State is divided into two campuses and is an open-admission institution - any student with a GED or high school diploma is eligible to attend.

3. Wallace Community College Selma - Selma, Alabama

Founded in 1963, Wallace Community College Selma currently serves about 1,400 students, 29% of which are dual-enrolled high school students. The most popular majors in 2020 were Associates in Science, Nursing, and Welding.

4. Bevill State Community College - Jasper, Alabama

Bevill State Community College serves its students on four campuses and one instructional site. 77% of its students receive financial assistance, and Bevill State operates as an open-door institution, allowing any students with a GED or high school diploma to apply.

5. Lawson State Community College - Birmingham, Alabama

Lawson State Community College is a public, historically Black community college serving its students on two campuses. The college offers dual enrollment for high school students and is an open-door institution. For three years straight, Lawson State's Nursing program has been ranked #1 and #2 in Alabama.

Top Online Colleges in Alabama

For students seeking flexible learning options, Alabama offers several reputable online colleges:

1. Troy University - Troy, Alabama

Founded in 1887, Troy University is a rural, semester-based university with an acceptance rate of 92%. Troy University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report and other publications, such as its online master's program in Criminal Justice and non-MBA Business programs. Students can choose from 170+ majors and minors, and graduate students have over 110 degree options that can be done in-person, online, or both.

2. Alabama State University - Montgomery, Alabama

Alabama State University is a public HBCU and offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, such as the historic teacher education program to the Ph.D. in microbiology. The university was originally founded in 1867 in Marion, Alabama, as the Lincoln Normal School, cementing ASU as one of the nation's oldest universities founded for African American students. ASU offers select degrees online, such as the Bachelor of Science in Marketing and the Master of Education in early education.

3. Auburn University at Montgomery - Montgomery, Alabama

With a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,375, Auburn University at Montgomery is a public university that has gained great acclaim for its business school, online MBA program, and for being one of the most affordable universities or colleges in Alabama. One of the most popular attractions known on campus is the Cason McDermott Art Gallery, which provides BFA candidates the opportunity to do solo exhibitions. AUM has waived application fees for prospective applicants and offers ACT/SAT Superscoring as a continued feature of their application. Auburn University at Montgomery ranked at 29th in best college for veterans.

4. Jacksonville State University - Jacksonville, Alabama

Coined "the Friendliest Campus in the South," Jacksonville State University offers 95 academic programs and concentrations, as well as 40 online programs. Tuition for in-state undergraduates is $324 per credit hour, and out-of-state undergraduates can expect $648 per credit hour. 80% of JSU's students receive some form of financial aid, and the university has roughly 70,00 alumni in 50 states and 136 countries. Across all 17 of its sports teams, JSU has won six team national championships and two individual national championships.

5. Faulkner University - Montgomery, Alabama

Founded as Montgomery Bible School in 1942, Faulkner University offers more than 60 in-person majors and over 23 online programs. As a Christian liberal arts college, Faulkner offers competitive tuition rates for students interested in associate degrees to doctoral degrees, with tuition and fees starting at $22,990. The average student class size is 15, and 49% of the university's students are minority students.

Top Business Colleges in Alabama

For students interested in pursuing a business degree, Alabama offers several excellent options:

1. The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, is one of the top 60 public universities in the country. Known as "The Capstone," the Tuscaloosa campus offers nearly 200 degree programs and enrolled the largest freshman class in its history last fall 2021, welcoming 38,320 students to its campus. The fall 2020 acceptance rate was 80%, with the majority of applicants scoring between 1070 and 1330 on the SAT.

2. Auburn University - Auburn, Alabama

At Auburn University, there are a total of 150 majors students can choose from and 427 buildings across its 1,841-acre campus. The school is heavily known for its football team, the Auburn Tigers, and on game days, Auburn is the fifth-largest city in the state because of the number of fans in attendance. Currently, 24,931 undergraduates attend Auburn, and its acceptance rate sits at 85%. Out-of-state tuition and fees are roughly $31,956, and in-state costs are $11,796.

3. Alabama A&M University - Normal, Alabama

Founded in 1875, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is a historically Black land-grant university that provides more than 60 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs across four colleges. In-state tuition and fees are close to $10,024, and out-of-state costs are nearly $18,634. AAMU received waived its ACT/SAT testing requirements for its enrollment.

4. Auburn University at Montgomery - Montgomery, Alabama

5. Jacksonville State University - Jacksonville, Alabama

Top Colleges in Alabama for Criminal Justice

For those interested in a career in criminal justice, these Alabama colleges offer strong programs:

1. The University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham, Alabama

2. Huntingdon College - Montgomery, Alabama

3. University of North Alabama - Florence, Alabama

Alabama's oldest public 4-year university boasts more than 140 majors and concentrations and is home to Leo III, the live lion mascot that is housed in a state-of-the-art habitat on campus, right next to the President's Home. Tuition at UNA is among the lowest in the state - 12-18 credit hours for Alabama residents are $4,155, and $8,310 for non-residents. In 2018, the university launched its first engineering curriculum - a four-year degree in Engineering Technology. The University of North Alabama is the 11th best college for veterans.

4. Troy University - Troy, Alabama

tags: #best #colleges #in #alabama #ranking