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Best Schools in Alabama

2023 Best Schools in Alabama

39 Schools Ranked
$48,203 Average Earnings
$31,330 Avg Student Debt

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Schools in Alabama ranking. This report analyzed 39 schools in Alabama to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Alabama

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, Alabama
5,778 Total Awards
$63,650 Average Earnings
$10,684 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best school in Alabama for students working on their degree. Located in Orange Beach, Alabama, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 5,778 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Columbia Southern University accumulate an average of $10,684 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Columbia Southern University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,650 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
8,232 Total Awards
$55,422 Average Earnings
$61,541 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Auburn University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Schools in Alabama list. Auburn is a large public school situated in Auburn, Alabama. It awarded 8,232 degrees in .

On average, students take out $61,541 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Auburn graduates make an average of $55,422 annually.

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#3

Herzing University - Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
250 Total Awards
$50,212 Average Earnings
$12,601 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Birmingham is a great place for students. Herzing University - Birmingham is located in Birmingham, Alabama and has a very small student population. In , this school awarded 250 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $12,601 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Herzing University - Birmingham graduates make an average of $50,212 annually.

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#4

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
1,700 Total Awards
$64,132 Average Earnings
$40,707 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Samford University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Schools in Alabama list. Samford University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 1,700 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Samford accumulate an average of $40,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Samford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $64,132 during the early year of their career.

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#5

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
9,861 Total Awards
$50,740 Average Earnings
$68,204 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means The University of Alabama is a great place for students. UA is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 9,861 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $68,204 in student loans.After graduating from UA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,740 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Athens State University

Athens, Alabama
845 Total Awards
$48,808 Average Earnings
$17,032 Avg Student Debt

Athens State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Alabama ranking. This small public school is located in Athens, Alabama, and it awarded 845 degrees in .

On average, students take out $17,032 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Athens State University graduates make an average of $48,808 annually.

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#7

University of West Alabama

Livingston, Alabama
1,664 Total Awards
$53,270 Average Earnings
$23,086 Avg Student Debt

University of West Alabama came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Alabama ranking. University of West Alabama is a medium-sized public school situated in Livingston, Alabama. It awarded 1,664 degrees in .

Degree recipients from University of West Alabama accumulate an average of $23,086 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, University of West Alabama graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,270 during the early year of their career.

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977 Total Awards
$34,762 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #8, Wallace Community College, Dothan did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Dothan, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 977 students in .

After graduating from Wallace, Dothan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,762 during the early years of their career.

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#9

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
6,742 Total Awards
$55,413 Average Earnings
$29,909 Avg Student Debt

University of Alabama at Birmingham landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. This large public school is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and it awarded 6,742 degrees in .

On average, students take out $29,909 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UAB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,413 during the early year of their career.

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#10

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama
2,387 Total Awards
$62,903 Average Earnings
$24,337 Avg Student Debt

University of Alabama in Huntsville landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,387 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $24,337 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UAH graduates make an average of $62,903 annually.

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#11

Coastal Alabama Community College

Bay Minette, Alabama
1,608 Total Awards
$52,231 Average Earnings
$10,523 Avg Student Debt

Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Bay Minette, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,608 students in .

Degree recipients from Coastal Alabama Community College accumulate an average of $10,523 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Coastal Alabama Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,231 during the early year of their career.

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1,619 Total Awards
$44,385 Average Earnings

Southern Union State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Wadley, Alabama, the small public school handed out 1,619 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Southern Union State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,385 during the early year of their career.

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3,400 Total Awards
$42,916 Average Earnings
$14,781 Avg Student Debt

John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Alabama ranking. Calhoun Community College is located in Tanner, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 3,400 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,781 in student loans.After graduating from Calhoun Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,916 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Bevill State Community College

Jasper, Alabama
1,264 Total Awards
$38,514 Average Earnings
$16,311 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Bevill State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Jasper, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,264 students in .

Degree recipients from Bevill State Community College accumulate an average of $16,311 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Bevill State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,514 during the early years of their career.

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#15

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama
2,252 Total Awards
$41,357 Average Earnings
$25,245 Avg Student Debt

University of North Alabama landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. UNA is a fairly large public school situated in Florence, Alabama. It awarded 2,252 degrees in .

On average, students take out $25,245 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UNA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,357 during the early year of their career.

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#16

South University, Montgomery

Montgomery, Alabama
96 Total Awards
$47,479 Average Earnings
$16,311 Avg Student Debt

South University, Montgomery came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Alabama ranking. South University, Montgomery is located in Montgomery, Alabama and has a very small student population. In , this school awarded 96 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,311 in student loans.After graduating from South University, Montgomery, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,479 during the early years of their career.

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#17

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
3,537 Total Awards
$46,723 Average Earnings
$21,441 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Troy University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. TROY is a public institution located in Troy, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,537 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,441 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, TROY graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,723 during the early year of their career.

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#18

Gadsden State Community College

Gadsden, Alabama
1,840 Total Awards
$34,710 Average Earnings

Gadsden State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Gadsden, Alabama, the small public school handed out 1,840 degrees in .

After graduating from GSCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,710 during the early years of their career.

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#19

Northwest-Shoals Community College

Muscle Shoals, Alabama
1,238 Total Awards
$33,842 Average Earnings

Northwest-Shoals Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Alabama ranking. NW-SCC is located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 1,238 degrees to qualified students.

After graduating from NW-SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,842 during the early years of their career.

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#20

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
3,691 Total Awards
$51,592 Average Earnings
$31,418 Avg Student Debt

University of South Alabama came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 3,691 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $31,418 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, USA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,592 during the early year of their career.

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610 Total Awards
$40,090 Average Earnings
$10,825 Avg Student Debt

Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. This small public school is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and it awarded 610 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,825 in student loans. During the early years of their career, LSCC - Birmingham Campus graduates make an average of $40,090 annually.

Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Report

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#22

Huntingdon College

Montgomery, Alabama
182 Total Awards
$33,649 Average Earnings

Huntingdon College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Schools in Alabama list. Huntingdon College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Montgomery, Alabama. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 182 degrees in .

After graduating from Huntingdon College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,649 during the early years of their career.

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#23

University of Montevallo

Montevallo, Alabama
620 Total Awards
$36,673 Average Earnings

University of Montevallo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. University of Montevallo is a small public school located in Montevallo, Alabama that handed out 620 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Montevallo graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,673 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Montevallo Report

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#24

Jefferson State Community College

Birmingham, Alabama
1,511 Total Awards
$42,861 Average Earnings
$15,335 Avg Student Debt

Jefferson State Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Jeff State is located in Birmingham, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,511 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,335 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Jeff State graduates make an average of $42,861 annually.

Full Jefferson State Community College Report

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#25

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

Andalusia, Alabama
590 Total Awards
$36,027 Average Earnings

Lurleen B Wallace Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. This small public school is located in Andalusia, Alabama, and it awarded 590 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,027 during the early year of their career.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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