2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. This report analyzed 23 schools in Alabama to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best value school in Alabama for students working on their associate degree. Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,582 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,725 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Columbia Southern University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Columbia Southern University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Coastal Alabama Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Located in Bay Minette, Alabama, the medium-sized public school awarded 848 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Coastal Alabama Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,850 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,099 in student loans.
Coastal Alabama Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Coastal Alabama Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Alabama.
Out of the 23 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s value ranking, Chattahoochee Valley Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a small public school located in Phenix City, Alabama that handed out 232 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
CVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,128 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at CVCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 23 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s value ranking, Wallace Community College, Dothan landed the # 4 spot on the list. Wallace, Dothan is located in Dothan, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 476 associate degrees to qualified students.
Wallace, Dothan undergraduate students pay an average of $8,490 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,002 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Wallace, Dothan. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 23 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s value ranking, Southern Union State Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Southern Union State Community College is a small public school situated in Wadley, Alabama. It awarded 641 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southern Union State Community College are $8,550 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,217 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Southern Union State Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
John C Calhoun State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Calhoun Community College is a public institution located in Tanner, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,373 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Calhoun Community College are $8,630 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,077 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Calhoun Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, Shelton State Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Shelton State Community College is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 537 associate degrees to qualified students.
Shelton State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,277 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,517 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Shelton State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Wallace Community College, Selma ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Located in Selma, Alabama, the small public school handed out 272 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCCS are $8,250 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,879 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that WCCS does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the small public school awarded 369 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LSCC - Birmingham Campus are $8,550 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,662 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LSCC - Birmingham Campus does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Wallace State, Hanceville is located in Hanceville, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 978 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wallace State, Hanceville are $8,550 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,797 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Wallace State, Hanceville does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Wallace State Community College, Hanceville
Bishop State Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Bishop State Community College is located in Mobile, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 353 associate degrees to qualified students.
Bishop State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,550 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,446 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bishop State Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a small public school located in Andalusia, Alabama that handed out 295 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College are $8,850 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,456 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Lurleen B. Wallace Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Jefferson State Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 975 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Jeff State are $8,610 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,642 in student loans.
Jeff State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. GSCC is a public institution located in Gadsden, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 645 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
GSCC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,184 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,115 in loans while pursuing their degree.
GSCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bevill State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Jasper, Alabama, the small public school handed out 528 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bevill State Community College are $9,150 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,900 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bevill State Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, Snead State Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Snead State Community College is located in Boaz, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 411 associate degrees to qualified students.
Snead State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,280 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,185 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Snead State Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Located in Rainsville, Alabama, the small public school handed out 464 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $8,850 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,132 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Northeast, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Northwest-Shoals Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. NW-SCC is located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 485 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NW-SCC are $8,521 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,717 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NW-SCC. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Troy University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Troy, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 338 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at TROY are $18,624 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,934 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at TROY. During the 2019-2020 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, TROY is ranked #4 for overall quality in Alabama.
Central Alabama Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Central Alabama Community College is located in Alexander City, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 188 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Alabama Community College are $8,610 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,897 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Central Alabama Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
Herzing University - Birmingham landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Herzing University - Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 118 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Herzing University - Birmingham are $14,200 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,029 in student loans.
Herzing University - Birmingham does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Herzing University - Birmingham did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list.
South University, Montgomery did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, the very small private for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South University, Montgomery are $18,000 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $31,872 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South University, Montgomery. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
South University, Montgomery not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list.
With a ranking of #23, Marion Military Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Marion, Alabama, the very small public school handed out 86 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Marion Military Institute are $15,218 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Marion Military Institute. During the 2019-2020 year, about 25% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- 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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