Best large colleges in Alabama
Colleges with 10,000 or more undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best large colleges in Alabama5 schools
5 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Alabama.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 10,000 or more undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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 at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public#5 in Alabama
- 12,382 undergraduates
- 64% graduate
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Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL · Private for-profitTop 21% for earnings
- 13,111 undergraduates
- 33% graduate
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% |
| The University of Alabama | $22,420 | $22,750 | $59,221 | 73% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | $18,749 | $22,300 | $54,501 | 64% |
| Troy University | $16,527 | $25,000 | $42,062 | 50% |
| Columbia Southern University | $14,580 | $21,339 | $63,534 | 33% |
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 6
- California 29
- Colorado 6
- District of Columbia 3
- Florida 13
- Georgia 8
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 8
- Indiana 6
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 4
- Louisiana 4
- Maryland 4
- Massachusetts 6
- Michigan 8
- Minnesota 3
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 4
- New York 19
- North Carolina 9
- Ohio 9
- Oklahoma 3
- Oregon 3
- Pennsylvania 6
- South Carolina 4
- Tennessee 4
- Texas 19
- Utah 8
- Virginia 8
- Washington 3
- Wisconsin 3