College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Best test-optional colleges in Alabama

Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.

Best test-optional colleges in Alabama23 schools

23 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Alabama.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions 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. 1

    Auburn University

    Auburn, AL · PublicHonor Roll

    #1 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 82% graduate
  2. 2

    Samford University

    Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit

    #2 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 77% graduate
  3. 3

    The University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa, AL · Public

    #3 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 73% graduate
  4. 4

    University of Alabama in Huntsville

    Huntsville, AL · Public

    #4 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 64% graduate
  5. 5

    University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham, AL · Public

    #5 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 64% graduate
  6. 6

    Tuskegee University

    Tuskegee, AL · Private nonprofit

    #6 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 55% graduate
  7. 7

    University of Mobile

    Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit

    #7 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 57% graduate
  8. 8

    University of Montevallo

    Montevallo, AL · Public

    #8 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 54% graduate
  9. 9

    University of South Alabama

    Mobile, AL · Public

    #9 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 53% graduate
  10. 10

    University of North Alabama

    Florence, AL · Public

    Top 22% for low net price

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 55% graduate
  11. 11

    Spring Hill College

    Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 52% graduate
  12. 12

    Oakwood University

    Huntsville, AL · Private nonprofit

    #12 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 45% graduate
  13. 13

    Huntingdon College

    Montgomery, AL · Private nonprofit

    #13 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 48% graduate
  14. 14

    Jacksonville State University

    Jacksonville, AL · Public

    #14 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 55% graduate
  15. 15

    Troy University

    Troy, AL · Public

    #15 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 50% graduate
  16. 16

    University of West Alabama

    Livingston, AL · Public

    Top 24% for low net price

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 35% graduate
  17. 17

    Auburn University at Montgomery

    Montgomery, AL · Public

    #18 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 33% graduate
  18. 18

    Faulkner University

    Montgomery, AL · Private nonprofit

    #19 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 37% graduate
  19. 19

    Herzing University-Birmingham

    Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit

    #20 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 13% graduate
  20. 20

    Alabama A & M University

    Normal, AL · Public

    #21 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 24% graduate
  21. 21

    Stillman College

    Tuscaloosa, AL · Private nonprofit

    #22 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 25% graduate
  22. 22

    Alabama State University

    Montgomery, AL · Public

    #25 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 30% graduate
  23. 23

    Talladega College

    Talladega, AL · Private nonprofit

    #26 in Alabama

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 31% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Auburn University$24,323$21,000$65,33782%
Samford University$32,622$19,500$58,46977%
The University of Alabama$22,420$22,750$59,22173%
University of Alabama in Huntsville$18,796$20,705$61,76764%
University of Alabama at Birmingham$18,749$22,300$54,50164%
Tuskegee University$35,013$27,000$49,64155%
University of Mobile$22,382$26,500$43,61157%
University of Montevallo$17,683$24,000$42,95754%
University of South Alabama$17,648$24,929$49,37953%
University of North Alabama$12,170$22,077$45,41555%
Spring Hill College$20,449$27,000$51,50052%
Oakwood University$25,669$27,000$42,48845%
Huntingdon College$22,566$27,000$49,60148%
Jacksonville State University$14,279$22,189$45,23555%
Troy University$16,527$25,000$42,06250%
University of West Alabama$12,684$24,944$44,23235%
Auburn University at Montgomery$13,224$25,000$44,39133%
Faulkner University$22,085$23,000$43,45737%
Herzing University-Birmingham$19,651$21,500$36,90913%
Alabama A & M University$17,621$31,000$40,62824%
Stillman College$15,258$29,067$35,42125%
Alabama State University$20,435$31,000$34,50230%
Talladega College$15,560$28,500$32,22931%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

0 school selectedCompare

What would it cost your family?

Pick your family’s yearly income. Each college then shows what families like yours paid on average after grants and scholarships (federal data).

Reach, Target or Likely?

Enter an SAT or ACT to sort every college in this search.

Will you get in?

Enter your SAT or ACT. We compare it with the middle range of students the college admitted.