Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2025

Badge for BEST IN ALABAMA PRIVATE COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Published: Feb 15, 2021
Updated: Oct 29, 2024

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Alabama.

Key Takeaways

The best private colleges in Alabama maintain small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios. This intimate setup fosters strong professor-student relationships and personalized academic support, which enhances learning and engagement.
Many of Alabama’s best private institutions emphasize broad liberal arts education, encouraging interdisciplinary exploration. This approach allows students to sample various fields before selecting a major, enriching their educational experience and preparing them for versatile career paths.
Top private schools in Alabama offer a unique cultural and historical environment, especially for students interested in historically black colleges. Additionally, community service and values-based learning are integral to the college experience at these institutions, promoting personal growth and a sense of community responsibility.

Table of Contents

10 Best Private Colleges in Alabama in 2025

Tuskegee University
+1
Samford University
–1
Spring Hill College
+2
Miles College
+2
Faulkner University
–2
Huntingdon College
+3
Talladega College
+4
Oakwood University
–1
Birmingham–Southern College
–5
Stillman College

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 private colleges in Alabama saw a considerable amount of movement. Talladega College gained the most ranking positions as a result of the college launching the Career Success Center, designed to support students in securing internships, networking opportunities, and career placements, effectively preparing them for post-graduation success.

Additionally, Talladega College has joined the HBCU Transformation Project, which focuses on expanding enrollment, improving graduation rates, and increasing financial resources for student support. Another unique feature includes the development of a state-of-the-art stadium-sized field for athletic and community events, providing students with updated facilities that foster school spirit and engagement. These advancements aim to make Talladega College more appealing by blending academic rigor, career support, and a vibrant campus life.

This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 14 private universities in Alabama. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Alabama, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.