2023 Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education opportunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. 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 Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 36 schools in Alabama to see which ones had the most popular online programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
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Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the most popular school in Alabama for students working on their degree. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7,022 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,476 in student loans.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. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Troy University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama list. Located in Troy, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 3,917 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,305 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $155.After graduating from TROY, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,526 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Northwest-Shoals Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama list. Located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the small public school awarded 2,014 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,717 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Auburn University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama list. Auburn, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,031 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,004 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $582. Once they receive their degree, Auburn graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,769 during the early year of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Southern Union State Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Alabama. Wadley, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,702 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College accumulate an average of $15,217 in student debt by the time they complete 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
With a ranking of #6, Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Coastal Alabama Community College is located in Bay Minette, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,485 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Coastal Alabama Community College 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. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Athens State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Athens, Alabama, the small public school handed out 831 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
University of West Alabama ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama list. University of West Alabama is a medium-sized public school situated in Livingston, Alabama. It awarded 1,781 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from University of West Alabama accumulate an average of $27,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, University of West Alabama graduates make an average of $48,388 annually. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Wallace Community College, Dothan did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Wallace, Dothan is a public institution located in Dothan, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,070 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,701 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Wallace, Dothan graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,871 during the early year of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, John C Calhoun State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Calhoun Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Tanner, Alabama. It awarded 2,850 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,738 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
University of South Alabama came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the fairly large public school awarded 3,795 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,397 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Jacksonville State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Jacksonville State University is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,043 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Jacksonville State University accumulate an average of $26,150 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 $97 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Jacksonville State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,073 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Jefferson State Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Jeff State is located in Birmingham, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,526 degrees to qualified students.
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. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. GSCC is located in Gadsden, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,118 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $9,802 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Bishop State Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This small public school is located in Mobile, Alabama, and it awarded 618 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,939 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Bishop State Community College graduates make an average of $33,515 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Strayer University - Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Strayer University - Alabama is a small private for-profit school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 195 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $39,315 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $121, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Strayer University - Alabama graduates make an average of $52,529 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Samford University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,756 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,711 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $518, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Samford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,075 during the early years of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the large public school awarded 6,323 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,869 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $244 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UAB graduates make an average of $51,494 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Shelton State Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Alabama list. Shelton State Community College is a small public school situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awarded 771 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Shelton State Community College accumulate an average of $13,517 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Shelton State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,938 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. UNA is a medium-sized public school situated in Florence, Alabama. It awarded 1,973 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNA accumulate an average of $24,719 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $304. Once they receive their degree, UNA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,683 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Amridge University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Amridge University is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Montgomery, Alabama that handed out 217 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,708 in student loans. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Hanceville, Alabama, and it awarded 2,322 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wallace State, Hanceville accumulate an average of $14,666 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wallace State, Hanceville graduates make an average of $36,585 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Herzing University - Birmingham did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. Herzing University - Birmingham is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 290 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,541 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $107, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Herzing University - Birmingham graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,963 during the early year of their career. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Alabama in Huntsville landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UAH is a public institution located in Huntsville, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,333 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,994 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $272 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UAH graduates make an average of $58,920 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Oakwood University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Oakwood University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Huntsville, Alabama that handed out 291 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $33,205 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Oakwood graduates make an average of $21,444 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Most Popular Online 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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