2023 Best Value Basic Certificate 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Alabama to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
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 Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Alabama. Located in Orange Beach, Alabama, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 136 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year.
Since Columbia Southern University is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Columbia Southern University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Wallace Community College, Dothan is a great place for students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Wallace, Dothan is a small public school situated in Dothan, Alabama. It awarded 432 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wallace, Dothan are $8,490 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Wallace, Dothan. In 2019-2020 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wallace, Dothan did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list.
Out of the 25 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s value ranking, Southern Union State Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Wadley, Alabama, and it awarded 864 basic certificates 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.
Southern Union State 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 74% took at least some of their classes online.
Southern Union State Community College also took the #5 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama rankings.
Out of the 25 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s value ranking, Northwest-Shoals Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. NW-SCC is located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,374 basic certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NW-SCC are $8,521 per year.
One thing to take note of is that NW-SCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, NW-SCC also did well on our Best Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend John C Calhoun State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list. Calhoun Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Tanner, Alabama. It awarded 1,311 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Calhoun Community College are $8,630 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Calhoun Community College. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama ranking. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 147 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LSCC - Birmingham Campus are $8,550 per year.
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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Report
Lurleen B Wallace Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Andalusia, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 169 students 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.
Lurleen B. Wallace Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list. Jefferson State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 300 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Jeff State are $8,610 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Jeff State. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bevill State Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Bevill State Community College is located in Jasper, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 495 basic certificates to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bevill State Community College are $9,150 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Bevill State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Wallace State, Hanceville is a medium-sized public school situated in Hanceville, Alabama. It awarded 981 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wallace State, Hanceville are $8,550 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Wallace State, Hanceville does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Phenix City, Alabama, the small public school awarded 313 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVCC are $7,128 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CVCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Coastal Alabama Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Bay Minette, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 384 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Coastal Alabama Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,850 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Coastal Alabama 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 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. GSCC is a public institution located in Gadsden, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 269 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GSCC are $9,184 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at GSCC. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Northeast is a small public school situated in Rainsville, Alabama. It awarded 626 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast are $8,850 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Northeast. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Shelton State Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the small public school handed out 127 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
Shelton State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,277 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that Shelton State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Auburn University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. This large public school is located in Auburn, Alabama, and it awarded 4 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Auburn are $31,986 a year.
Auburn does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 34% 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, Auburn is ranked #3 for overall quality in Alabama.
Athens State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Athens State University is a small public school situated in Athens, Alabama. It awarded 29 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Athens State University are $15,810 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Athens State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
University of South Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 82 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USA are $17,012 a year.
USA 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Central Alabama Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. Central Alabama Community College is a public institution located in Alexander City, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 90 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Alabama Community College are $8,610 a year.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #20, Troy University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their basic certificate. TROY is a fairly large public school situated in Troy, Alabama. It awarded 4 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at TROY are $18,624 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since TROY does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Snead State Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. Located in Boaz, Alabama, the small public school handed out 105 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Snead State Community College are $9,280 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Snead State Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 83% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Herzing University - Birmingham ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 44 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Herzing University - Birmingham are $14,200 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Herzing University - Birmingham does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Herzing University - Birmingham also made our Best Basic Certificate Schools in Alabama list, coming in at #2.
Reid State Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. This very small public school is located in Evergreen, Alabama, and it awarded 6 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
Reid State Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees each year.
Bishop State Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate programs. This small public school is located in Mobile, Alabama, and it awarded 134 basic certificates in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bishop State Community College are $8,550 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bishop State Community College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of North Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Florence, Alabama, the medium-sized public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.
UNA undergraduate students pay an average of $20,220 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UNA. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Value Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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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