Best colleges in Alabama
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Alabama26 schools
26 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in Alabama.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 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.
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University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL · Public#4 in Alabama
- Value grade B+ · Top 25%
- 64% graduate
- 5
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public#5 in Alabama
- Value grade B · Top 41%
- 64% graduate
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University of North Alabama
Florence, AL · PublicTop 22% for low net price
- Value grade B · Top 36%
- 55% graduate
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Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL · Public#14 in Alabama
- Value grade B · Top 44%
- 55% graduate
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Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL · Private for-profitTop 21% for earnings
- Value grade A- · Top 13%
- 33% graduate
- 17
University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Value grade B · Top 48%
- 35% graduate
- 18
Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery, AL · Public#18 in Alabama
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- 33% graduate
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Herzing University-Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit#20 in Alabama
- Value grade C+
- 13% graduate
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South University-Montgomery
Montgomery, AL · Private for-profit#23 in Alabama
- Value grade C+
- 9% graduate
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | $24,323 | $21,000 | $65,337 | 82% |
| Samford University | $32,622 | $19,500 | $58,469 | 77% |
| The University of Alabama | $22,420 | $22,750 | $59,221 | 73% |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | $18,796 | $20,705 | $61,767 | 64% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | $18,749 | $22,300 | $54,501 | 64% |
| Tuskegee University | $35,013 | $27,000 | $49,641 | 55% |
| University of Mobile | $22,382 | $26,500 | $43,611 | 57% |
| University of Montevallo | $17,683 | $24,000 | $42,957 | 54% |
| University of South Alabama | $17,648 | $24,929 | $49,379 | 53% |
| University of North Alabama | $12,170 | $22,077 | $45,415 | 55% |
| Spring Hill College | $20,449 | $27,000 | $51,500 | 52% |
| Oakwood University | $25,669 | $27,000 | $42,488 | 45% |
| Huntingdon College | $22,566 | $27,000 | $49,601 | 48% |
| Jacksonville State University | $14,279 | $22,189 | $45,235 | 55% |
| Troy University | $16,527 | $25,000 | $42,062 | 50% |
| Columbia Southern University | $14,580 | $21,339 | $63,534 | 33% |
| University of West Alabama | $12,684 | $24,944 | $44,232 | 35% |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | $13,224 | $25,000 | $44,391 | 33% |
| Faulkner University | $22,085 | $23,000 | $43,457 | 37% |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | $19,651 | $21,500 | $36,909 | 13% |
| Alabama A & M University | $17,621 | $31,000 | $40,628 | 24% |
| Stillman College | $15,258 | $29,067 | $35,421 | 25% |
| South University-Montgomery | $27,807 | $26,123 | $34,421 | 9% |
| Miles College | $14,271 | $31,217 | $32,627 | 16% |
| Alabama State University | $20,435 | $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
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3