Best Colleges in Alabama (2026)
73 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
73
Colleges
$40,055
Avg Earnings (10yr)
$15,148
Avg Net Price
74%
Avg Admit Rate
43%
Avg Grad Rate
State Overview
Alabama is home to 73 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Auburn University leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $40,055 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, Alabama offers diverse options across all price points.
Quick Facts — Alabama Colleges
Top 10 Colleges in Alabama by Graduate Earnings
Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.
2
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville·Public
Admit
69%
Net Price
$18,796
Grad Rate
64%
Earnings
$61,767
6
United States Sports University
Daphne·Private Nonprofit
Admit
61%
Net Price
$24,076
Grad Rate
N/A
Earnings
$55,257
7
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham·Public
Admit
88%
Net Price
$18,749
Grad Rate
64%
Earnings
$54,501
Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama
Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.
Popular Majors
Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.
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Find my Alabama collegeAll Colleges in Alabama
All 73 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.
| School | City | Type | Admit Rate | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal | Public | 58% | $17,621 | 24% | $40,628 |
| Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology | Jackson | Private For-Profit | N/A | $21,996 | N/A | N/A |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery | Public | 98% | $20,435 | 30% | $34,502 |
| Amridge University | Montgomery | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | 100% | $37,621 |
| Athens State University | Athens | Public | N/A | N/A | N/A | $50,273 |
| Auburn University | Auburn | Public | 46% | $24,323 | 82% | $65,337 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery | Public | 92% | $13,224 | 33% | $44,391 |
| Bevill State Community College | Jasper | Public | N/A | $5,937 | N/A | $34,107 |
| Bishop State Community College | Mobile | Public | N/A | $5,397 | N/A | $29,916 |
| Blue Cliff Career College | Mobile | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,275 | N/A | $21,365 |
| Brown Beauty Barber School | Bessemer | Private For-Profit | N/A | $24,717 | N/A | N/A |
| Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound | Mobile | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $52,669 |
| Central Alabama Community College | Alexander City | Public | N/A | $15,996 | N/A | $33,506 |
| Chattahoochee Valley Community College | Phenix City | Public | N/A | $4,244 | N/A | $36,438 |
| Coastal Alabama Community College | Bay Minette | Public | N/A | $13,644 | N/A | $34,894 |
| Columbia Southern University | Orange Beach | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,580 | 33% | $63,534 |
| Enterprise State Community College | Enterprise | Public | N/A | $12,609 | N/A | $42,572 |
| Faulkner University | Montgomery | Private Nonprofit | 73% | $22,085 | 37% | $43,457 |
| Fortis College | Mobile | Private For-Profit | N/A | $19,074 | N/A | $26,652 |
| Fortis College-Dothan | Dothan | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,730 | N/A | $32,754 |
| Fortis College-Montgomery | Montgomery | Private For-Profit | N/A | $21,006 | N/A | $26,652 |
| Fortis Institute-Birmingham | Birmingham | Private For-Profit | N/A | $25,946 | N/A | $32,886 |
| Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden | Public | N/A | $3,515 | N/A | $32,937 |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan | Public | N/A | $1,170 | N/A | $31,399 |
| George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | Hanceville | Public | N/A | $13,170 | N/A | $39,842 |
| George C Wallace State Community College-Selma | Selma | Public | N/A | $9,272 | N/A | $31,598 |
| H Councill Trenholm State Community College | Montgomery | Public | N/A | $8,325 | N/A | $32,183 |
| Heritage Christian University | Florence | Private Nonprofit | 90% | $15,426 | 67% | $42,597 |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | Birmingham | Private Nonprofit | 93% | $19,651 | 13% | $36,909 |
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery | Private Nonprofit | 69% | $22,566 | 48% | $49,601 |
| Huntsville Bible College | Huntsville | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | 0% | N/A |
| J F Ingram State Technical College | Deatsville | Public | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College | Huntsville | Public | N/A | $6,005 | N/A | $28,281 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Public | 78% | $14,279 | 55% | $45,235 |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | Public | N/A | $9,086 | N/A | $40,719 |
| John C Calhoun State Community College | Tanner | Public | N/A | $7,660 | N/A | $38,192 |
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | Public | N/A | $6,275 | N/A | $31,701 |
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | Andalusia | Public | N/A | $2,792 | N/A | $32,307 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion | Public | 97% | $8,627 | N/A | $59,644 |
| Midfield Institute of Cosmetology | Midfield | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Miles College | Fairfield | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $14,271 | 16% | $32,627 |
| New Beginning College of Cosmetology | Albertville | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,347 | N/A | N/A |
| Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville | Public | N/A | $2,756 | N/A | $34,913 |
| Northwest Shoals Community College | Muscle Shoals | Public | N/A | $2,838 | N/A | $33,828 |
| Oakwood University | Huntsville | Private Nonprofit | 45% | $25,669 | 45% | $42,488 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham | Hoover | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,104 | N/A | $24,367 |
| Reid State Technical College | Evergreen | Public | N/A | $1,739 | N/A | $28,982 |
| Remington College-Mobile Campus | Mobile | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $26,120 | N/A | $31,349 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville | Huntsville | Private For-Profit | N/A | $19,201 | N/A | $30,060 |
| Samford University | Birmingham | Private Nonprofit | 82% | $32,622 | 77% | $58,469 |
| Selma University | Selma | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | 6% | N/A |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa | Public | N/A | $14,557 | N/A | $35,014 |
| Snead State Community College | Boaz | Public | N/A | $3,249 | N/A | $35,735 |
| South University-Montgomery | Montgomery | Private For-Profit | N/A | $27,807 | 9% | $34,421 |
| Southern Union State Community College | Wadley | Public | N/A | $6,142 | N/A | $36,597 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile | Private Nonprofit | 77% | $20,449 | 52% | $51,500 |
| Stillman College | Tuscaloosa | Private Nonprofit | 62% | $15,258 | 25% | $35,421 |
| Strayer University-Alabama | Birmingham | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | 0% | $40,092 |
| Talladega College | Talladega | Private Nonprofit | 85% | $15,560 | 31% | $32,229 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Huntsville | Huntsville | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,043 | N/A | N/A |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | Public | 77% | $22,420 | 73% | $59,221 |
| Troy University | Troy | Public | 96% | $16,527 | 50% | $42,062 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | Private Nonprofit | 49% | $35,013 | 55% | $49,641 |
| United States Sports University | Daphne | Private Nonprofit | 61% | $24,076 | N/A | $55,257 |
| University Academy of Hair Design | Tuscaloosa | Private For-Profit | N/A | $12,018 | N/A | N/A |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | Public | 88% | $18,749 | 64% | $54,501 |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | Public | 69% | $18,796 | 64% | $61,767 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile | Private Nonprofit | 78% | $22,382 | 57% | $43,611 |
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo | Public | 54% | $17,683 | 54% | $42,957 |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | Public | 87% | $12,170 | 55% | $45,415 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | Public | 71% | $17,648 | 53% | $49,379 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston | Public | 43% | $12,684 | 35% | $44,232 |
| Winonah's International School of Cosmetology | Hoover | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,060 | N/A | N/A |
Showing 73 of 73 schools