Alabama’s Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Why invest in higher education if you won’t benefit from the best education you can get? Alabama’s best colleges and universities offer prestigious degree programs that prepare students to succeed in the job market.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama has 78 colleges and universities.
- Among these are nationally recognized and respected institutions, which students from around the world travel to attend.
- Use this ranking to explore Alabama’s best colleges and universities measured by their influence, reputation, and academic offerings.
10 Best Colleges in Alabama for Undergrads in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best online masters’s programs in Florida saw a fair amount of movement. The University of Alabama in Huntsville gained the most ranking positions as the university is implementing several significant enhancements to enrich the student experience. A major initiative is the transformation of the 58-acre Executive Plaza site into a vibrant, multi-use district featuring student housing, research facilities, and retail and entertainment options, aiming to create a signature college-town atmosphere.
Additionally, UAH is constructing an 80,000-square-foot engineering building to replace the outdated Wernher von Braun Research Hall, enhancing research and learning spaces for engineering students. Furthermore, the development of Nexus on Holmes, a new 239,000-square-foot housing community adjacent to campus, will provide modern living accommodations for upper-division students, faculty, and staff.
Ranking the Best Colleges and Universities in Alabama
This ranking of the top colleges and universities in Alabama focuses on schools that offer the best bachelor’s degrees, and whose faculty is most influential and well-recognized. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Alabama.
- #12 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #1 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
73%
Student body
42K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/27
Career Outlook for degree at University of Alabama
Cost of Degree: $11,900Expenses: $21,482Starting Salary: $51,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryAs a public university, the University of Alabama is one of the highly-ranked universities that offers some of the best bachelor’s degrees in the nation. This is the place where legends are made, as the school provides solid support to students so they can build their dreams and help transform the world. They have eight degree-granting universities which offer more than 100 undergraduate programs.
What we love about the University of Alabama:
35 current University of Alabama faculty have earned one of the most prestigious academic awards in the nation, the NSF Career Award. This means that students at the University of Alabama learn from some of the most influential minds in science. Additionally, the University of Alabama set its new enrollment record in the Fall of 2022. This is a sign of a thriving school that continues to grow and improve.
The University of Alabama is ideal for students who:
Enjoy large, thriving student bodies and enjoy working with peers.
The University of Alabama might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer working alone and value smaller, more intimate learning environments.
University of Alabama’s Online Degrees
BS in Food and Nutrition
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Development and Family Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Child Life
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Environmental Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Environmental Sciences, Consumer Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- Consumer Affairs
- Family Financial Planning and Counseling
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 25/ 125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Mechanical Engineering
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
BS in Commerce and Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- General Business
- Management
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
44%
Graduation
81%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1300/27
Career Outlook for degree at Auburn University
Cost of Degree: $12,536Expenses: $22,762Starting Salary: $56,300Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryTo date, Auburn University has accepted more than 55,000 student applicants in the year of 2024. If you want to enroll in a prestigious program and get challenged in academics, they offer over 150 majors, most of which are nationally ranked. Your Auburn journey starts the moment you apply, as you will have an admissions advisor guide you through. When it comes to extra-curricular activities, 600 student organizations await you as you participate in them during your chosen undergraduate program.
What we love about the Auburn University:
Auburn has been ranked as the 6th fastest-growing city in America since 2010. This means that the University’s students are positioned in a thriving market filled with both professional and academic opportunities. Auburn University is well-known for its highly active and involved alumni network, as well as by its many student organizations, clubs, and student-directed initiatives.
Auburn University is ideal for students who:
Wish to build a network with their peers for both academic and professional leverage.
Auburn University might not be the best fit for students who:
Might struggle to afford out-of-state tuition, which has been on the rise in recent years.
Auburn University’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Accountancy
Degree Concentrations
- Second Degree
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSBA in None
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1305/26
Career Outlook for degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham
Cost of Degree: $8,832Expenses: $20,547Starting Salary: $48,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryKnown for its interdisciplinary approach to education, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been famous worldwide. Get ready to belong in an institution where students are diverse in terms of talents, backgrounds, and dreams. And you can find numerous major programs that offer opportunities for research, internships, study abroad, and pre-professional pathways. Get assisted now by their admissions counselors as you explore your college search and start the admission process.
What we love about the University of Alabama at Birmingham:
The University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) is well-known for its interdisciplinary approach to higher education, which is most prominently exercised in its research innovative facilities and medical center. The location of UAB in the city of Birmingham positions it in one of the state’s most expansive and thriving markets. This is leveraged in the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s many academic and corporate partners throughout the city’s various bustling industries.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is ideal for students who:
Wish to pursue a business, medical, or research-oriented degree program.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham might not be the best fit for students who:
Cannot leverage the university’s many networks and resources in Birmingham.
University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Online Degrees
BS in Community Health and Human Services
Degree Concentrations
- Human Services
- Community Health
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Accounting
Degree Concentrations
- Financial Management Concentration
- Investments and Institutions Concentration
- Real Estate Concentration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Care Management
Degree Concentrations
- Concentration Tracks
- Clinical Manager
- Pre-professional
- LongTerm Care Administration
- Fast Tracks
- Health Informatics
- Healthcare Quality and Safety
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120-125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Industrial Distribution
Degree Concentrations
- Engineering or Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Management
Degree Concentrations
- International Business Dynamics
- Management Planning and Control
- Operations Management
- Project Managemen
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Systems
Degree Concentrations
- Data Analytics
- Cybersecurity Management
- Operations Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: None Reported
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Finance
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #6 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Alabama 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
67%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1092/21
Career Outlook for degree at Tuskegee University
Cost of Degree: $23,440Expenses: $20,014Starting Salary: $42,200Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryDesignated as a National Historic Site, Tuskegee University is a historically black university that is distinguished all through the US. They have a track record of producing the most African-American women in all of Alabama when it comes to the fields of Math, Engineering, and Science. Other than these bachelor’s degrees, there are 64 total programs that you can choose to enroll in.
What we love about Tuskegee University:
We love that Tuskegee University is the only historically black college or university to offer a fully accredited veterinary science program. As such, Tuskegee Veterinary College alumni make up a whopping 75% of the world’s African American vets. Tuskegee is also the number one producer of African American aerospace engineers in the country. These accomplishments alone make Tuskegee University standout as a tour de force for African American students.
Tuskegee University is ideal for students who:
Wish to participate in the University’s rich history of African American achievement.
Tuskegee University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a larger university with more degree programs, peers, and instructors.
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
63%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1328/27
Career Outlook for degree at University of Alabama in Huntsville
Cost of Degree: $11,878Expenses: $18,000Starting Salary: $52,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryEnroll at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, which is one of the premier research universities in the US. Their main focus is developing and producing tomorrow’s leaders. They have a total of 94 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, which are offered in their campus and online settings. They are equipped with full amenities that make the college experience enjoyable, and they come with 17 research centers and labs that make learning more effective and productive.
What we love about the University of Alabama at Huntsville:
The University of Alabama-Huntsville offers an impressive number of degree programs–89 degrees across more than 100 areas of study. Many of which can be completed entirely online.
The school demonstrates an admirable commitment to research. With 17 research centers and average R&D expenses of nearly $150 million, students will enjoy many opportunities to pursue research interests and expand their studies through interdisciplinary inquiry.
The University of Alabama at Huntsville is ideal for students who:
Wish to pursue bachelor’s degree in a STEM program.
The University of Alabama at Huntsville might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a liberal arts curriculum.
University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Online Degrees
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 26
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Professional Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Engineering Technology
- Organizational Studies
- Leadership Strategies and Dynamics
- Technology
- Science and Society
- General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #12 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
78%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/26
Career Outlook for degree at Samford University
Cost of Degree: $38,144Expenses: $19,312Starting Salary: $59,800Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salarySamford University fits students who are looking for high-quality education that also envelops the Christian faith. With their Christian community, you can foster relationships and grow your network early. They offer undergraduate programs that are grounded in liberal arts. Within six months, most of their graduates are already working or pursuing further studies.
What we love about Samford University:
Samford University displays a unique commitment to student success outcomes. Unlike many colleges and universities, Samford offers various programs to help students find employment after graduation. We particularly love Samford University’s focus on fostering internship opportunities. Even as an online student, Samford offers many pathways for students to become placed in an internship. The success of these initiatives are evidenced in the fact that 97% of graduates are employed or enrolled in further study within 6 months.
Samford University is ideal for students who:
Want a career-focused education with many opportunities for professional development.
Samford University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer larger universities with more students, instructors, and/or degree programs.
Samford University’s Online Degrees
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
48%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1101/23
Career Outlook for degree at University of South Alabama
Cost of Degree: $9,676Expenses: $16,133Starting Salary: $46,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOffering 115 degree programs, the University of South Alabama is a haven for those who want to discover themselves. After your college degree, students will have gained high-level research skills and become leaders in their respective disciplines. Many recreation facilities support learning, research, and studies in the fields of science, computers, health sciences, arts, and engineering. Check out their major degree offerings and be a part of the South.
What we love about the University of South Alabama:
The University of South Alabama offers outstanding student support options.
For undergraduate students in particular, these support systems help students to make the most of their degrees: Career Services, a Center for Academic Excellence, and a First-Year Advising Center. At the Center for Academic Excellence for example, USA students can find tutoring and mentoring opportunities.
The University of South Alabama is ideal for students who:
Want a large selection of on-campus academic programs with an excellent average student-faculty ratio (17:1).
The University of South Alabama might not be the best fit for students who:
Want a better selection of online degree programs.
University of South Alabama’s Online Degrees
BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Administrative Sciences
- Appliied Arts
- Applied Sciences
- Community Services
- Human Services
- Liberal Studies
- Professional Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 59
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2024 #8 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
46%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/20
Career Outlook for degree at Troy University
Cost of Degree: $9,792Expenses: $14,366Starting Salary: $41,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryJoin Troy University if you want to learn in small-sized classes. They offer on-campus and online undergraduate programs that would fit your academic preferences and goals. On the side of academics, you can take part in some of their 200 student clubs and organizations. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree enables you to make connections to 175,000 alumni in this prestigious institution.
What we love about Troy University:
Troy University stands out as one of the top schools for earning a degree online in Alabama. TU has expanded its online offerings year after year, and today offers more than 110 fully online degree programs. What makes these programs particularly special is that they often offer generous financial aid packages, credit transfer policies, and even accelerated learning options (in some cases).
Troy University is ideal for students who:
Wish to pursue online education affordably and efficiently.
Troy University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer working alone and value smaller, more intimate learning environments.
Troy University’s Online Degrees
BS in Anthropology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Global Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting and Finance
- Data Analytics
- General Business
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- Management
- Marketing
- Risk Management Insurance
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Hospitality Management
Degree Concentrations
- Hospitality
- Sport and Tourism Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Science, Applied Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Interpreter
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Geographic Information Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Occupational Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Political Science
Degree Concentrations
- American Politics and Public Administration
- International Politics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in History
Degree Concentrations
- American and Latin American History
- European/Asian/African History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Resource Technology Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- General Social Science
- Geography
- Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #20 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Alabama 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
28%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
934/18
Career Outlook for degree at Alabama State University
Cost of Degree: $11,248Expenses: $12,682Starting Salary: $30,600Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryIf you’re looking for a premier historically black university, choose Alabama State University. Housing 7 colleges, you can choose from their numerous undergraduate programs that can be taken in traditional or online class settings. They have exceptional staff and faculty who are experts in their field and are focused on supporting students’ creativity and experiential learning journey.
What we love about Alabama State University:
Alabama State University offers affordable degree programs designed to prepare students for the job market. Today, ASU carries forward it’s rich history as one of Alabama’s most prominent historically black colleges or universities through its grants, academics, and research initiatives.
Alabama State University is ideal for students who:
Wish to earn an online Bachelor’s of Psychology or an Online Bachelor’s of Marketing.
Alabama State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a larger selection of available degrees.
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Alabama
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
52%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/19
Career Outlook for degree at Jacksonville State University
Cost of Degree: $12,426Expenses: $12,398Starting Salary: $38,100Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryJoin one of the friendliest and highest-ranking undergraduate universities in the US when you enroll at Jacksonville State University. There is always something new happening in the school, whether it’s a new undergraduate program being launched, a new research project, or new facilities being built. The school is committed to student engagement and success.
What we love about Jacksonville State University:
We love Jacksonville State University’s commitment to online education. Today, JSU students can explore more than 40 accredited and fully online degree programs. And despite its middling size, JSU offers many out of the norm courses and degree paths that may interest students who like to think outside the box.
Jacksonville State University is ideal for students who:
Are creative and want to supplement their degree program with unique and interesting courses.
Jacksonville State University might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a more career-focused curriculum and would rather not explore tangential subjects.
Jacksonville State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Criminal Justice
Degree Concentrations
- Law Enforcement
- Offender Rehabilitation
- Corrections
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Family and Consumer Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- Human Sciences
- Child Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Integrated Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 129
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Emergency Management with a Minor in Public Safety Telecommunications, Homeland Security
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Honorable Mentions
When limiting a ranking to ten choices, we will inevitably exclude great schools. If none of the schools ranked above matched your needs or expectations, considering looking into these other great schools:
Should You Earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Alabama’s Colleges and Universities?
There’s more to Alabama than big football games and southern charm. The state is home to some of the country’s most thriving industries and job markets.
You might be surprised to learn that the aerospace and aviation rank among Alabama’s most prominent industries. Agriculture, metal industries, and tourism also are also among the state’s standout markets.
This means that even online students may seek out education in Alabama if they wish to build a professional or academic network within the state’s thriving markets.
The Affordability and Quality of Academic Programs in Alabama
You’ve probably heard of well-known Alabama schools like Alabama University and Auburn University, but there’s many other great schools to consider, too.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education’s 2020-2021 IPEDS Survey, Alabama ranks as the 11th most affordable state in terms of average college tuition. While out-of-state tuition typically runs higher than in-state tuition, the affordability of Alabama’s schools helps to mitigate the expense.
Affordability shouldn’t be confused with cheapness, either. Alabama’s schools are recognized both nationally and internationally for the robustness of their academic offerings. This is particularly true for the state’s research universities, which operate at the forefront of various fields.
The Bottom Line: Prospective students have many reasons to consider earning a degree from one of Alabama’s esteemed colleges and universities.
