Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Alabama
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Alabama10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Alabama.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
- 2
Samford University
Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit#2 in Alabama
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 77% graduate
- 3
- 4
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public#5 in Alabama
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 64% graduate
- 5
- 6
University of North Alabama
Florence, AL · PublicTop 22% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 55% graduate
- 7
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL · Public#14 in Alabama
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 55% graduate
- 8
- 9
- 10
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | About $24,000 | $21,000 | $65,337 | 82% |
| Samford University | About $33,000 | $19,500 | $58,469 | 77% |
| The University of Alabama | About $22,000 | $22,750 | $59,221 | 73% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | About $19,000 | $22,300 | $54,501 | 64% |
| University of South Alabama | About $18,000 | $24,929 | $49,379 | 53% |
| University of North Alabama | About $12,000 | $22,077 | $45,415 | 55% |
| Jacksonville State University | About $14,000 | $22,189 | $45,235 | 55% |
| Troy University | About $17,000 | $25,000 | $42,062 | 50% |
| Alabama A & M University | About $18,000 | $31,000 | $40,628 | 24% |
| Alabama State University | About $20,000 | $31,000 | $34,502 | 30% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4