2023 Best Value 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 Schools in Alabama to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 39 schools in Alabama to see which ones offered the best value 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 Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Columbia Southern University to be the best value school for students in Alabama. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and it awarded 7,022 degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia Southern University undergraduate students pay an average of $5,775 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $27,476 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Columbia Southern University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,041 during the early years of their career.
Columbia Southern University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Wallace Community College, Dothan. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Alabama list. Located in Dothan, Alabama, the small public school handed out 1,070 degrees in 2020-2021.
Wallace, Dothan undergraduate students pay an average of $8,490 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,701 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Wallace, Dothan graduates make an average of $29,871 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, Wallace, Dothan is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
Out of the 39 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Chattahoochee Valley Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Phenix City, Alabama, and it awarded 615 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CVCC are $7,128 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,808 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,027 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Coastal Alabama Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Alabama list. Located in Bay Minette, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,485 degrees in 2020-2021.
Coastal Alabama Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,850 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,099 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Coastal Alabama Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,085 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Union State Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Alabama list. This small public school is located in Wadley, Alabama, and it awarded 1,702 degrees in 2020-2021.
Southern Union State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,550 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $15,217 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southern Union State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,006 during the early year of their career.
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Tanner, Alabama, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,850 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Calhoun Community College are $8,630 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,738 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Calhoun Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,694 during the early year of their career.
Northwest-Shoals Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the small public school handed out 2,014 degrees in 2020-2021.
NW-SCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,521 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,717 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NW-SCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $28,614 during the early year of their career.
Wallace Community College, Selma ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Alabama list. WCCS is located in Selma, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 429 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCCS are $8,250 a year. On average, students take out $19,039 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WCCS graduates make an average of $32,181 annually.
Shelton State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the small public school handed out 771 degrees in 2020-2021.
Shelton State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,277 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,517 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Shelton State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,938 during the early years of their career.
Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 622 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LSCC - Birmingham Campus are $8,550 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,715 in student loans. During the early years of their career, LSCC - Birmingham Campus graduates make an average of $41,053 annually.
Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Report
Jefferson State Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Jeff State is a medium-sized public school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 1,526 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Jeff State are $8,610 per year. On average, students take out $13,579 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Jeff State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,906 during the early years of their career.
Bevill State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Bevill State Community College is a public institution located in Jasper, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,196 degrees in 2020-2021.
Bevill State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,150 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,189 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bevill State Community College graduates make an average of $34,370 annually.
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Alabama list. Hanceville, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,322 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wallace State, Hanceville are $8,550 per year. On average, students take out $14,666 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Wallace State, Hanceville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,585 during the early years of their career.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Lurleen B. Wallace Community College is a small public school situated in Andalusia, Alabama. It awarded 523 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College are $8,850 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,745 in student loans.After graduating from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,722 during the early years of their career.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Gadsden, Alabama, the small public school awarded 1,118 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GSCC are $9,184 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $9,802 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from GSCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,201 during the early years of their career.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Rainsville, Alabama, the small public school awarded 1,228 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast are $8,850 per year. On average, students take out $8,406 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northeast graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,138 during the early year of their career.
University of West Alabama ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Alabama list. This medium-sized public school is located in Livingston, Alabama, and it awarded 1,781 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at University of West Alabama are $20,090 per year. On average, students take out $27,626 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, University of West Alabama graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,388 during the early year of their career.
University of West Alabama excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
Bishop State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Bishop State Community College is a small public school situated in Mobile, Alabama. It awarded 618 degrees in 2020-2021.
Bishop State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,550 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,939 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Bishop State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,515 during the early year of their career.
Athens State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Athens State University is a public institution located in Athens, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 831 degrees in 2020-2021.
Athens State University undergraduate students pay an average of $15,810 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $30,330 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Athens State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,004 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Athens State University also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Alabama ranking.
University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the large public school awarded 6,323 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UAB are $20,400 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,869 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $244, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UAB graduates make an average of $51,494 annually.
Auburn University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This large public school is located in Auburn, Alabama, and it awarded 8,031 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Auburn are $31,986 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,004 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $582 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Auburn, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,769 during the early years of their career.
Auburn did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
The University of Alabama came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Alabama ranking. The University of Alabama is a large public school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 10,311 degrees in 2020-2021.
UA undergraduate students pay an average of $31,090 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,032 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $629.After graduating from UA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,898 during the early years of their career.
UA not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
University of South Alabama ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Alabama list. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the fairly large public school handed out 3,795 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at USA are $17,012 per year. On average, students take out $28,397 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $279 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,663 during the early year of their career.
University of North Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. University of North Alabama is a medium-sized public school located in Florence, Alabama that handed out 1,973 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNA are $20,220 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,719 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $304 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNA graduates make an average of $36,683 annually.
Troy University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Alabama list. Located in Troy, Alabama, the fairly large public school handed out 3,917 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at TROY are $18,624 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,305 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $155. Once they receive their degree, TROY graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,526 during the early year of their career.
Best Value 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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