Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2023

Q: What can I expect from an online college course?

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

Q: Is online college easier than campus-based college?

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way? If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps. In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

By James Barham

Published: Dec 17, 2021
Updated: Sep 9, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Alabama ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Auburn University at Montgomery 97%
Troy University 95%
University of North Alabama 90%
University of Alabama at Birmingham 89%
Samford University 84%
University of Alabama 79%
Jacksonville State University 76%
Stillman College 76%
University of Alabama in Huntsville 74%
University of West Alabama 74%

Talladega College 23 to 1
Jacksonville State University 21 to 1
University of Alabama at Birmingham 20 to 1
University of Alabama 20 to 1
Auburn University 20 to 1
University of Alabama in Huntsville 19 to 1
Troy University 18 to 1
Alabama A&M University 18 to 1
Stillman College 18 to 1
University of South Alabama 17 to 1

Samford University $35,360
Faulkner University $23,490
Oakwood University $19,990
Talladega College $13,886
Heritage Christian University $11,632
Stillman College $11,392
University of Alabama $10,780
Auburn University $10,080
University of Alabama in Huntsville $9,730
Jacksonville State University $9,720

Samford University $20,935
Talladega College $16,000
Oakwood University $13,680
Amridge University $10,800
University of Alabama $10,780
University of Alabama in Huntsville $10,632
Faulkner University $10,374
Alabama A&M University $10,128
Auburn University $10,080
Jacksonville State University $9,600

Heritage Christian University
Amridge University
Athens State University
University of West Alabama
Stillman College
Alabama A&M University
Oakwood University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Talladega College
University of North Alabama

Faulkner University 65%
Heritage Christian University 67%
Auburn University 71%
University of South Alabama 71%
Oakwood University 72%
Alabama A&M University 72%
University of West Alabama 74%
University of Alabama in Huntsville 74%
Stillman College 76%
Jacksonville State University 76%

Heritage Christian University 7 to 1
Oakwood University 10 to 1
Samford University 12 to 1
Amridge University 13 to 1
Faulkner University 13 to 1
University of West Alabama 14 to 1
University of North Alabama 15 to 1
Athens State University 15 to 1
Auburn University at Montgomery 16 to 1
University of South Alabama 17 to 1

Athens State University $6,750
Auburn University at Montgomery $7,992
University of South Alabama $8,256
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,568
Alabama A&M University $8,610
Amridge University $9,000
University of West Alabama $9,100
Troy University $9,312
University of North Alabama $9,600
Jacksonville State University $9,720

Heritage Christian University $4,482
University of North Alabama $6,600
University of West Alabama $6,678
Auburn University at Montgomery $7,578
Athens State University $7,800
University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,100
University of South Alabama $8,226
Troy University $8,550
Jacksonville State University $9,600
Auburn University $10,080

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Alabama

Online students and traditional students alike have a lot of options in the state of Alabama. The 54 colleges and universities in Alabama allow students to pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in many fields all over the state, as well as through a variety of excellent online degree programs. Some of the most notable degree areas include law, nursing, biology, history, engineering, and religious studies.

Students in Alabama can study any of these subjects either online or through online courses. If you’re looking for educational flexible education, Alabama has over 20 colleges and universities offering online degree programs.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Students hoping to obtain a four-year degree at a larger university can attend one of the two largest - as well as rivalry - schools, the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Both schools’ tuition is about $11,000, though the University of Alabama’s student population, at nearly 36,000 students, is larger than Auburn’s.

Students also have the option of attending one of Alabama’s 18 private higher education institutes, many of which have religious affiliations. Tuition costs vary widely, from $4,000 per year to $36,000 per year. Student populations also vary widely, from less than 100 students to as many as 15,000 students.

Additionally, students who need more flexibility can take advantage of the satellite campuses, like at the University of North Alabama. Alabama also has a larger number of online college offerings. With 70 online degree programs offered at the University of Alabama alone, in-state residents have a lot of degree options, both for a traditional and online education.

For die-hard football fans and lovers of sweet tea, obtaining a higher education degree in Alabama can seem like an obvious choice. The Yellowhammer State, however, is also home to a unique mixture of coastal, mountainous, and swamp environments, making it a great choice for students who love soaking up the outdoors.

And if you’re looking for a mix of the campus experience and online education, many schools in Alabama have hybrid programs. With a hybrid program, you can take both online courses and classes on campus.

What are Alabama’s Colleges & Universities?

Alabama’s Best Overall

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2022

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Alabama

The following graph depicts the average salaries of top occupations in different industries in Alabama.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary

123770Database Architects

123870Personal Financial Advisors

126070Engineers, All Other

133220Physical Scientists, All Other

167120Natural Sciences Managers

Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2022

Best Christian Online Colleges in Alabama

#1
Samford University
Birmingham , AL
#4 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2023 #11 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
79%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/26
Online Degrees
BA in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Oakwood University
Huntsville , AL
#6 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2023 #7 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2023 #9 Best Small Colleges in Alabama 2023 #25 Best HBCU Online Programs
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
49%
Student body
1K
Online Degrees
BS in Organizational Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Church Leadership

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in General Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Faulkner University
Montgomery , AL
#17 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2023 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2023 #3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2023 #4 Best Small Colleges in Alabama 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
19%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1097/20
Online Degrees
BA in Biblical Studies

Required Credits: 122
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Business

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Christian Ministry

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Counseling Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Forensic Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in General/Clinical Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Health And Rehabilitation Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Humanities

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Sports Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
Amridge University
Montgomery , AL
#3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Alabama 2023 #3 Best Online Associate in Web Design #7 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2023 #9 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
44%
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Human Development

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Leadership

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Information Systems Management

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Management

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Ministry/Bible

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#5
Heritage Christian University
Florence , AL
#8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Alabama 2023 #13 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies #18 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies #19 Best Online Master's Programs in Alabama 2023
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
67%
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
BA in Biblical Studies

Required Credits: 128
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school

Best Online HBCUs in Alabama

#1
Alabama A&M University
Normal , AL
#18 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #12 Best Online Master's Programs in Alabama 2023 #22 Best HBCU Online Programs
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
28%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
930/17
Online Degrees
BS in Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Talladega College
Talladega , AL
#20 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #9 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2023 #11 HBCU MBA Programs Online #24 Best HBCU Online Programs
Tuition + fees
$14K
Graduation
25%
Student body
1K
Online Degrees
BA in Computer Information System

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Business Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Organizational Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Stillman College
Tuscaloosa , AL
#8 Best Christian Colleges in Alabama 2023 #10 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 2023
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
15%
Student body
<1K
Online Degrees
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 114
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Psychology

Required Credits: 123
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2023

Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Alabama

What are Alabama’s Colleges & Universities?

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Alabama

Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2022

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Best Christian Online Colleges in Alabama

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Best Online HBCUs in Alabama

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Online College-Bound Students