Best Colleges in Alabama

36
Universities
26
Community Colleges
62
Total Institutions

Explore 62 colleges and universities in Alabama, ranked by the Repit College Score. Our ratings evaluate graduation rates, affordability, resources, and student experience.

#1
B

Auburn University

Auburn, AL • 33,015 students
Public
79%
Grad Rate
$25k
Net Price
50%
Off-Campus
#2
B

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL • 39,622 students
Public
74%
Grad Rate
$22k
Net Price
#3
B

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL • 2,846 students
Private Non-Profit
57%
Grad Rate
#4
B

University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL • 13,768 students
Public
53%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
5%
Off-Campus
#5
C+

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL • 21,160 students
Public
63%
Grad Rate
$17k
Net Price
#6
C+

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, AL • 8,743 students
Public
62%
Grad Rate
$20k
Net Price
6%
Off-Campus
#7
C+

Samford University

Birmingham, AL • 5,791 students
Private Non-Profit
80%
Grad Rate
#8
C+

University of North Alabama

Florence, AL • 10,059 students
Public
54%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#9
C+

University of Montevallo

Montevallo, AL • 2,942 students
Public
49%
Grad Rate
$17k
Net Price
5%
Off-Campus
#10
C+

Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • 6,614 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
#11
C+

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, AL • 9,672 students
Public
51%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
11%
Off-Campus
#12
C+

Birmingham-Southern College

Birmingham, AL • 731 students
Private Non-Profit
64%
Grad Rate
#13
C+

Troy University

Troy, AL • 13,923 students
Public
47%
Grad Rate
$13k
Net Price
6%
Off-Campus
#14
C+

Oakwood University

Huntsville, AL • 1,319 students
Private Non-Profit
49%
Grad Rate
#15
C+

Auburn University at Montgomery

Montgomery, AL • 5,189 students
Public
36%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
48%
Off-Campus
#16
C

University of West Alabama

Livingston, AL • 6,194 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
7%
Off-Campus
#17
C

University of Mobile

Mobile, AL • 1,911 students
Private Non-Profit
56%
Grad Rate
#18
C

Spring Hill College

Mobile, AL • 977 students
Private Non-Profit
56%
Grad Rate
#19
C

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL • 2,933 students
Private Non-Profit
38%
Grad Rate
#20
C

Miles College

Fairfield, AL • 1,151 students
Private Non-Profit
26%
Grad Rate
#21
C

Alabama State University

Montgomery, AL • 3,870 students
Public
30%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
9%
Off-Campus
#22
C

Heritage Christian University

Florence, AL • 158 students
Private Non-Profit
50%
Grad Rate
#23
C

Selma University

Selma, AL • 60 students
Private Non-Profit
24%
Grad Rate
#24
C

Stillman College

Tuscaloosa, AL • 779 students
Private Non-Profit
41%
Grad Rate
#25
C

Talladega College

Talladega, AL • 837 students
Private Non-Profit
65%
Grad Rate
#26
C

Huntsville Bible College

Huntsville, AL • 121 students
Private Non-Profit
0%
Grad Rate
#27
C

Athens State University

Athens, AL • 2,955 students
Public
#28
C

Huntingdon College

Montgomery, AL • 869 students
Private Non-Profit
47%
Grad Rate
#29
C

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL • 18,487 students
Private For-Profit
37%
Grad Rate
#30
C

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dothan, AL • 798 students
Private Non-Profit
#31
D

Amridge University

Montgomery, AL • 636 students
Private Non-Profit
40%
Grad Rate
#32
D

University of Alabama System Office

Tuscaloosa, AL
Public
#33
D

United States Sports Academy

Daphne, AL • 272 students
Private Non-Profit
#34
D

Herzing University-Birmingham

Birmingham, AL • 448 students
Private Non-Profit
25%
Grad Rate
#35
D

Strayer University-Alabama

Birmingham, AL • 1,596 students
Private For-Profit
#36
D

South University-Montgomery

Montgomery, AL • 319 students
Private For-Profit
15%
Grad Rate
#1
C+

Bevill State Community College

Jasper, AL • 3,946 students
Public
44%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#2
C+

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

Andalusia, AL • 2,130 students
Public
43%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#3
C+

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

Hanceville, AL • 6,023 students
Public
48%
Grad Rate
$13k
Net Price
#4
C+

Lawson State Community College

Birmingham, AL • 3,153 students
Public
26%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#5
C+

Gadsden State Community College

Gadsden, AL • 4,728 students
Public
32%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#6
C+

Snead State Community College

Boaz, AL • 2,767 students
Public
49%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#7
C

Coastal Alabama Community College

Bay Minette, AL • 6,791 students
Public
26%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#8
C

George C Wallace Community College-Dothan

Dothan, AL • 4,010 students
Public
27%
Grad Rate
$3k
Net Price
#9
C

George C Wallace State Community College-Selma

Selma, AL • 1,935 students
Public
39%
Grad Rate
$1k
Net Price
#10
C

Reid State Technical College

Evergreen, AL • 576 students
Public
55%
Grad Rate
#11
C

Northeast Alabama Community College

Rainsville, AL • 2,905 students
Public
32%
Grad Rate
$2k
Net Price
#12
C

John C Calhoun State Community College

Tanner, AL • 8,736 students
Public
41%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#13
C

Marion Military Institute

Marion, AL • 308 students
Public
31%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
#14
C

Bishop State Community College

Mobile, AL • 3,568 students
Public
23%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#15
C

Southern Union State Community College

Wadley, AL • 4,673 students
Public
27%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#16
C

Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Phenix City, AL • 1,712 students
Public
36%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#17
C

J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College

Huntsville, AL • 1,011 students
Public
11%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#18
C

Jefferson State Community College

Birmingham, AL • 8,839 students
Public
23%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#19
C

Northwest Shoals Community College

Muscle Shoals, AL • 4,136 students
Public
33%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#20
C

Enterprise State Community College

Enterprise, AL • 2,248 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#21
C

Shelton State Community College

Tuscaloosa, AL • 4,536 students
Public
21%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#22
C

H Councill Trenholm State Community College

Montgomery, AL • 1,907 students
Public
17%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#23
C

Central Alabama Community College

Alexander City, AL • 1,910 students
Public
24%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
#24
D

Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound

Mobile, AL • 51 students
Private For-Profit
#25
D

Fortis Institute-Birmingham

Birmingham, AL • 339 students
Private For-Profit
36%
Grad Rate
#26
D

Remington College-Mobile Campus

Mobile, AL • 244 students
Private Non-Profit
47%
Grad Rate

Cities with Multiple Colleges

Florence 2 colleges
Huntsville 4 colleges
Selma 2 colleges
Tuscaloosa 4 colleges
Birmingham 8 colleges
Mobile 6 colleges
Dothan 2 colleges
Montgomery 7 colleges

About College Rankings in Alabama

The Repit College Score ranks 62 colleges and universities in Alabama based on outcomes (graduation rates, retention), affordability (net cost, financial aid), resources (class sizes, faculty ratios), and student experience (campus life, housing options).

4-Year Universities (36): Bachelor's degree-granting institutions including public universities, private colleges, and research institutions.

2-Year Colleges (26): Community colleges and technical schools offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Alabama

How many colleges are in Alabama?

There are 62 accredited colleges and universities in Alabama tracked by Repit, including 36 4-year institutions and 26 community colleges. Each school is rated using our proprietary scoring system that evaluates outcomes, affordability, and resources.

How does Repit rate colleges?

Repit rates colleges on a 100-point scale across five categories: Outcomes (graduation and retention rates), Affordability (net cost and financial aid), Resources (class sizes and selectivity), Experience (campus life and learning format), and Prestige (reputation and recognition). Each factor is weighted and combined into an overall score and letter grade.

Should I attend a public or private college in Alabama?

Alabama has both public and private institutions. Public schools often offer lower tuition for state residents, while private schools may provide more financial aid. Compare net prices and outcomes using Repit's detailed college profiles to find the best value for your situation.

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology