With multiple universities ranking among the best in country, along with many other colleges of excellent quality, Alabama is a great place to focus your college search. Whether you’re in-state or out-of-state, looking for a public or private school, Alabama has something for you.
Right here on Collegelearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on best colleges in alabama, business schools in Alabama, best colleges for computer science in Alabama, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Best Colleges In Alabama
If you haven’t visited before, you might think of the South as just quiet and sleepy, but the region has experienced a powerful economic transformation.
This is an important factor to consider, since once you graduate, you’ll probably be looking for a job. And it’s good to have developed networks to help you find a job in a place with a robust economic climate.
And that describes Alabama.
According to the Center for Business and Economic Research, business leaders in the state are growing increasingly optimistic about the local economy. Their confidence has been on a dramatic upswing for the past few years, which bodes well for future job-seekers: confident executives means lots of hiring opportunities.
So there’s reason for optimism about the economy. But will you enjoy yourself while you’re there?
Well, if you’re into college football, then it’s hard to see how you couldn’t. The SEC is a football powerhouse, and in Alabama you’re perfectly placed to take advantage.
But the state isn’t all football. If you’re of a more literary cast of mind, you’ll be in good company. The late Harper Lee, famous author of To Kill a Mockingbird, was from the state, as is three-time National Book Award nominee Gail Godwin. So if you could imagine yourself becoming the next great Southern novelist, go ahead and check out the Alabama Writers’ Forum, an organization that puts on programs to “support established, novice, an student writers.”
Or perhaps you’re more interested in music? Then the bluegrass, roots, and country scenes might be for you. Whatever it is, Alabama schools and Alabama culture offer a lot.
What are the best colleges in Alabama?
On to our list of the best colleges in Alabama—but first, a word about how we got our rankings.
In order to determine the best colleges in Alabama, we took a look at every school offering four-year bachelor’s degrees, and then compared them on the lines of academic quality, student body diversity, and return on investment.
That means we’re looking at things like test scores and tuition rates, along with endowment size and the expected early career salary of graduates. All of our data comes from the IPEDS database, courtesy of the National Center for Education Statistics. And now, on to our ranking of the best colleges in Alabama!
Graduation Rate: This indicator refers to the percentage of students who complete their degree within 150% of normal time (six years for a typical four-year degree program). Schools that perform well in this area have a track record of keeping students engaged and successful for their entire time on campus. We weighted this category 30% of the total and retrieved the information from College Navigator.
Net Price: In order to make sure that cost was still a factor in the ranking, we also considered overall net price as an indicator. Taken from data on College Navigator, “net price” is an approximate value that refers to the average amount of money a student could expect to pay each year after taking into account tuition, room and board, living expenses, scholarship awards, and financial aid packages. We weighted this category 25% of the total.
Acceptance Rate: Academically challenging, popular universities tend to be more selective and thus have a lower acceptance rate. In order to pinpoint those colleges that boast rigorous academics and also receive a large number of applications, we considered acceptance rate – the percentage of students out of the total number of applicants who receive an acceptance letter. We retrieved this information from College Navigator and weighted it 30% of the total.
20-Year Net Return on Investment: Taken from information on the website PayScale, this statistic provides a picture of how much students can expect to make after they graduate from a particular college. More specifically, the figure is calculated by taking the average income an alumnus will make over his or her first 20 years after graduation and subtracting the amount paid in tuition. Schools with a high ROI tend to be better at preparing their students for the job market. We weighted this category only 15% because data was not available for all colleges considered.
After adding all the points, we gave each university a final score out of 200. The schools below have scores ranging from 94 to 151, and each has something different to offer in terms of its cost, quality, and reputation. No one college is perfect (which is why the scores vary so much) but this ranking offers you a premier selection of universities to help get you started on your search for an education in Alabama.
Ranking Alabama Colleges and Universities by Best Value
| RANK | SCHOOL | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heritage Christian University | Florence , AL |
| 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL |
| 3 | Oakwood University | Huntsville, AL |
| 4 | University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL |
| 5 | University of North Alabama | Florence , AL |
| 6 | Samford University | Birmingham, AL |
| 7 | Birmingham Southern College | Birmingham, AL |
| 8 | Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL |
| 9 | Alabama A&M University | Huntsville, AL |
| 10 | Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL |
Business Schools In Alabama
Statistics from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) show 33 public and non-profit schools in the state of Alabama granting undergraduate and graduate accredited business schools. Of these, 24 offer accredited undergraduate business programs and 13 offer accredited graduate business programs. The business accreditation is from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and/or International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). All the schools on our list are public or non-profit and regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Accreditation ensures that the school’s business programs have clear goals and proven outcomes and that the institution adheres to national and international standards. Business accredited schools also provide opportunities for real-world interaction with businesses, which give students a broader educational experience.
The three sections that follow cover undergraduate programs for business degrees, graduate business schools, and the job prospects for business school graduates in Alabama.
Best Business Schools in Alabama
Best business schools in Alabama according to US News data.
- University of Alabama (Manderson) – #63 in Best Business Schools, #44 in Best Undergraduate Business School Programs, #61 in Top Public Schools, #87 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #13 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- Auburn University – #73 in Best Business Schools, #52 in Top Public Schools, #62 in Undergraduate Business School Programs, #115 in Top National Universities, #11 in Best Online MBA Programs, #6 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- University of Alabama-Birmingham – #111 in Top Part-time MBA, #80 in Top Public Schools, #127 in Best Undergraduate Business School Programs, #30 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- University of Alabama-Huntsville – #133 in Top Part-time MBA, #230 in Best National Universities
- Samford University – #2 Best Colleges for Veterans, #25 in Best Value Schools, #7 in Most Innovative Schools, #68 in Best Online MBA Programs
Undergraduate Business Schools in Alabama
We were able to obtain acceptance rates for 17 undergraduate programs for business degrees in Alabama, mostly in the moderate range. The average acceptance rate is 60%, and 10 of the 18 have rates of at least 56%. The lowest acceptance is 42% at Stillman College, and the highest acceptance rate, of nearly 91%, can be found at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.
Graduation rates for undergraduate programs in Alabama are a bit on the low side, with an overall average of around 41% for the 18 business schools for which we have data. Samford University and Auburn University have the highest graduation rates, with 91% and 81%.
The table below shows all the important data about our undergraduate business degrees, including annual in-state tuition costs, average aid, acceptance rates, median SAT and ACT scores of accepted students, and graduation rates. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Aid | Median SAT | Median ACT | Accept. Rate | Grad. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery | $9,220 | $7,751 | 730-920 | 15-19 | 46% | 22% |
| Athens State University | Athens | $5,940 | $2,306 | 0% | |||
| Auburn University | Auburn | $10,696 | $8,892 | 1060-1260 | 24-30 | 81% | 75% |
| Auburn University Montgomery | Montgomery | $9,640 | $5,944 | 880-990 | 19-24 | 77% | 23% |
| Bishop State Community College | Mobile | $4,380 | $4,197 | ||||
| Faulkner University | 0 | $20,130 | $7,650 | 880-1120 | 18-23 | 45% | 32% |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | $7,500 | $6,806 | 870-1120 | 20-26 | 53% | 36% |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | $4,440 | $3,709 | ||||
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | $4,380 | $4,322 | ||||
| Miles College | Fairfield | $11,604 | $6,743 | 17% | |||
| Oakwood University | Huntsville | $16,750 | $4,336 | 750-1010 | 16-21 | 48% | 47% |
| Samford University | Birmingham | $29,402 | $14,545 | 1020-1238 | 23-29 | 91% | 73% |
| Stillman College | Tuscaloosa | $10,418 | $7,248 | 740-910 | 14-17 | 42% | 18% |
| The University of West Alabama | Livingston | $8,876 | $5,071 | 860-1020 | 18-23 | 53% | 29% |
| Troy University | Troy | $8,260 | $7,047 | 925-1160 | 18-24 | 91% | 38% |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | $20,015 | $6,097 | 890-1110 | 21-22 | 50% | 46% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | $8,040 | $7,267 | 970-1300 | 21-28 | 58% | 53% |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | $9,842 | $7,870 | 1060-1340 | 25-31 | 76% | 49% |
| University of Mobile | Mobile | $21,400 | $10,861 | 850-1120 | 19-25 | 62% | 48% |
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo | $12,040 | $8,632 | 900-1200 | 20-26 | 65% | 50% |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | $8,114 | $5,301 | 862-1053 | 19-25 | 56% | 44% |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | $7,548 | $6,263 | 920-1130 | 20-23 | 81% | 38% |
| Wallace Community College Selma | Selma | $4,080 | $5,761 | ||||
| Wallace State Community College | Hanceville | $4,380 | $5,035 |
Graduate Business Schools in Alabama
According to data compiled from the AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE accrediting bodies, there are 13 accredited and non-profit options for obtaining an MBA or equivalent in Alabama, including several highly ranked schools several undiscovered options that are still worthy of consideration. The average tuition cost for graduate study in the state is $18,135, and the most affordable option is Jacksonville State University at $11,730.
If you want to continue working while pursuing your career, there are several online MBA programs in Alabama available. One of these is Jacksonville State University, which can be completed in as little as 12-18 months.
The table below shows Alabama graduate business school tuition costs, accepted applicants’ GMAT scores, the percentage of faculty with a doctorate, average undergraduate GPA figures of accepted students, and student-to-faculty ratios. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Avg. GMAT | Faculty with Doct. Degree | Student/ Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn | $24,116 | 584 | 91% | 1.8 |
| Auburn University Montgomery | Montgomery | $12,689 | 484 | 88% | 3.31 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | $11,730 | 79% | ||
| Samford University | Birmingham | $29,268 | 88% | ||
| The University of West Alabama | Livingston | $15,444 | |||
| Troy University | Troy | $17,784 | |||
| University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | $27,252 | 617 | 80% | 3.78 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | $18,643 | 521 | 73% | |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | $18,421 | 541 | 94% | 2.67 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile | $17,460 | |||
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo | $12,300 | 64% | 1.05 | |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | $12,421 | 444 | 83% | 2.88 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | $18,222 | 535 | 85% |
Job Outlook for Business School Graduates in Alabama
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the average annual wage across all occupations in Alabama in 2016 was $88,837 for business-related occupations.6 Annual wages for business occupation subcategories in Alabama ranged from $35,750 for tax preparers to $207,090 for chief executives.6
| Occupation Title | BLS.gov Code | 2016 Total Employment Alabama | Mean Hourly Wage Alabama | Mean Annual Wage Alabama | National Growth 2016-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 13-2011 | 15,770 | $33 | $69,650 | 10.0% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 11-3011 | 590 | $47 | $98,700 | 10.1% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 11-2011 | 60 | * | * | 5.8% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 11-9041 | 2,450 | $67 | $139,100 | 5.5% |
| Budget Analysts | 13-2031 | 840 | $39 | $80,950 | 6.5% |
| Business Operations Specialists | 13-1199 | 7,230 | $41 | $84,850 | 8.8% |
| Chief Executives | 11-1011 | 1,120 | $100 | $207,090 | 8.0% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | 11-3111 | 70 | $60 | $124,270 | 5.0% |
| Compensation, and Benefits Specialists | 13-1141 | 580 | $31 | $64,350 | 8.5% |
| Compliance Officers | 13-1041 | 1,460 | $33 | $68,380 | 8.2% |
| Construction Managers | 11-9021 | 2,780 | $45 | $93,010 | 11.4% |
| Cost Estimators | 13-1051 | 2,070 | $29 | $60,870 | 10.6% |
| Credit Analysts | 13-2041 | 580 | $37 | $76,250 | 8.4% |
| Credit Counselors | 13-2071 | 170 | $25 | $52,530 | 13.9% |
| Financial Analysts | 13-2051 | 1,220 | $43 | $88,640 | 10.8% |
| Financial Examiners | 13-2061 | 800 | $34 | $70,900 | 9.8% |
| Financial Managers | 11-3031 | 5,200 | $63 | $130,980 | 0.187 |
| General and Operations Managers | 11-1021 | 27,150 | $58 | $120,730 | 9.1% |
| Human Resources Managers | 11-3121 | 1,200 | $51 | $105,670 | 8.9% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 13-1071 | 5,400 | $29 | $59,890 | 7.1% |
| Information Systems Managers | 11-3021 | 3,120 | $60 | $123,790 | 11.9% |
| Insurance Underwriters | 13-2053 | 1,060 | $29 | $59,950 | -5.2% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 13-1075 | 1,010 | $23 | $48,610 | -7.8% |
| Loan Officers | 13-2072 | 3,850 | $33 | $69,280 | 11.5% |
| Logisticians | 13-1081 | 3,590 | $43 | $88,450 | 6.9% |
| Management Analysts | 13-1111 | 4,250 | $45 | $93,470 | 12.0% |
| Market Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 13-1161 | 3,370 | $28 | $59,210 | 22.8% |
| Marketing Managers | 11-2021 | 540 | $59 | $123,430 | 10.0% |
| Meeting and Event Planners | 13-1121 | 400 | $21 | $43,790 | 10.2% |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | 11-2031 | 430 | $45 | $94,270 | 10.4% |
| Purchasing Managers | 11-3061 | 900 | $53 | $109,200 | 5.6% |
| Sales Managers | 11-2022 | 2,220 | $61 | $126,630 | 7.4% |
| Tax Examiners and Revenue Agents | 13-2081 | 1,130 | $27 | $55,140 | -0.6% |
| Tax Preparers | 13-2082 | 800 | $17 | $35,750 | 10.8% |
| Training and Development Managers | 11-3131 | 140 | $59 | $123,450 | 10.3% |
| Training and Development Specialists | 13-1151 | 2,610 | $28 | $58,050 | 11.5% |
Best Colleges For Computer Science In Alabama
That’s right, we’re ranking of the best colleges for computer science in Alabama! Computer science prepares you for a job as a software developer—named the best job in America by U.S. News and World Report.
Software developers code the systems, programs and apps that we couldn’t live without, and they get paid well to do so. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports a median annual salary of $105,590, and these jobs aren’t going away. The OOH predicts 21% job growth over the next ten years.
With ten Alabama universities accredited by ABET in computer science, it wasn’t easy to narrow them down, and the honorable mentions are definitely worth considering.
Honorable Mention: Alabama A&M University, Athens State University, Jacksonville State University, the University of North Alabama, and the University of South Alabama.
5. Tuskegee University
With a rich history including such great figures as Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and the Tuskegee Airmen, Tuskegee University was named 8th in the nation among historically black colleges and universities, and has also received high rankings in promoting social mobility and reducing student debt.
Tuskegee also has well-respected academic programs, ranked 25th in U.S. News’ Regional Universities South category. Their computer science program, accredited by ABET, offers a general track and an information systems specialization.
With an undergraduate tuition of under $20,000 a year, Tuskegee’s computer science degree is a great value.
4. University of Alabama at Huntsville
Founded by a rocket scientist, UAH has always been known for its STEM programs, and computer science falls under that category. UAH’s graduate program in computer science was ranked 147th in the nation and is accredited by ABET.
Like the next university on our list, UAH has historically been more of a commuter school, but its technical roots give it a good reputation in the region, and UAH is a great value with annual in-state tuition under $10,000 a year.
3. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The most urban experience of the universities on this list, UAB is known widely for its medical programs, but its computer science program is no slouch, ranked 133rd in the country. UAB offers both a B.S. and B.A. in computer science, and its professors specialize in research such as cyber security, data science and analytics, and advanced cyber infrastructures.
Accredited by ABET, UAB offers a good value in computer science with an annual tuition just over $10,000. If you’re interested in an urban school environment, you should consider the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
2. University of Alabama
The flagship university of Alabama offers more than just football greatness. At the undergraduate level, U.S. News and World Report places Alabama 153rd overall, and the graduate school comes in 111th in computer science.
The undergraduate program, accredited by ABET, was founded over thirty years ago and enrolls over 700 undergraduate students. With in-state tuition under $11,000 a year, the University of Alabama offers the best value in Alabama for computer science majors, along with the host of on-campus resources and activities that come with a state’s flagship university.
1. Auburn University
The second-largest public university in Alabama, Auburn offers the highest-ranked computer science program in the state, cracking the top hundred computer science programs in the nation at 91.
Auburn was actually the first public university to offer a software engineering degree, and today its 32 faculty teach over 1,200 students in the computer science program. Elective tracks in the B.S. program include artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data.
With graduates starting salaries averaging over $75,000, Auburn is a bargain with in-state tuition and fees running just over $12,000 a year. It’s an easy choice: Auburn is the best university in Alabama for computer science.
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