College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Best colleges in Alabama

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first
RankSchoolCompass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data on outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching. The ring shows where the college stands.AcademicsAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
1Auburn UniversityHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Auburn, ALA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 15%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 39%
2Samford UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Birmingham, ALA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 13%B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
3The University of AlabamaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Tuscaloosa, ALB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 22%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 46%
4University of Alabama in HuntsvilleRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Huntsville, ALB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 28%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 25%
5University of Alabama at BirminghamRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Birmingham, ALB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 28%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
6Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, ALBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 38%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
7University of MobileMobile, ALBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 42%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
8University of MontevalloMontevallo, ALBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 36%B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
9University of South AlabamaMobile, ALBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
10University of North AlabamaFlorence, ALBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 36%
11Spring Hill CollegeMobile, ALBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 48%B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
12Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, ALB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
13Huntingdon CollegeMontgomery, ALB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
14Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, ALB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 44%
15Troy UniversityTroy, ALB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
16Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 13%
17University of West AlabamaLivingston, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 48%
18Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, ALB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
19Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, ALB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
20Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
21Alabama A & M UniversityNormal, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
22Stillman CollegeTuscaloosa, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
23South University-MontgomeryMontgomery, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
24Miles CollegeFairfield, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
25Alabama State UniversityMontgomery, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
26Talladega CollegeTalladega, ALC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first

  1. 1
    Auburn UniversityHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Auburn, AL
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 15%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 39%
  2. 2
    Samford UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Birmingham, AL
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 13%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  3. 3
    The University of AlabamaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Tuscaloosa, AL
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 22%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 46%
  4. 4
    University of Alabama in HuntsvilleRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Huntsville, AL
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 28%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 25%
  5. 5
    University of Alabama at BirminghamRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Birmingham, AL
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 28%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
  6. 6
    Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 38%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  7. 7
    University of MobileMobile, AL
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 42%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  8. 8
    University of MontevalloMontevallo, AL
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 36%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  9. 9
    University of South AlabamaMobile, AL
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  10. 10
    University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 36%
  11. 11
    Spring Hill CollegeMobile, AL
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 48%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  12. 12
    Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, AL
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  13. 13
    Huntingdon CollegeMontgomery, AL
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  14. 14
    Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 44%
  15. 15
    Troy UniversityTroy, AL
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  16. 16
    Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueA-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 13%
  17. 17
    University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 48%
  18. 18
    Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
  19. 19
    Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  20. 20
    Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  21. 21
    Alabama A & M UniversityNormal, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  22. 22
    Stillman CollegeTuscaloosa, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  23. 23
    South University-MontgomeryMontgomery, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  24. 24
    Miles CollegeFairfield, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  25. 25
    Alabama State UniversityMontgomery, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  26. 26
    Talladega CollegeTalladega, AL
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.

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