Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
- 23
- Schools
- $46,464
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,671
- Avg. Net Price
- $25,334
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 23 schools run from $32,229 to $65,337, a 2.0× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of North Alabama delivers the most for the money: roughly $45,415 in median earnings against $12,170 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, University of North Alabama ($12,170 net price), still posts $45,415 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Auburn University graduates 81% of its students, versus a 50% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Auburn University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.32× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 University of Alabama in Huntsville ($61,767 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Auburn University ($65,337), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of North Alabama costs $12,170 a year and Tuskegee University costs $35,013. Yet their graduates earn $45,415 and $49,641, nowhere near the $22,843 price gap.
- On value, University of North Alabama beats Auburn University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of North Alabama and Auburn University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $44K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Alabama in Huntsville #1 overall | $61,767 ▲ +33% vs avg | $18,796 | 63% | 68 |
| 2 Auburn University #2 overall | $65,337 ▲ +41% vs avg | $24,323 | 81% | 67 |
| 3 University of Alabama at Birmingham #3 overall | $54,501 ▲ +17% vs avg | $18,749 | 63% | 66 |
| $59,221 ▲ +27% vs avg | $22,420 | 74% | 66 | |
| $58,469 ▲ +26% vs avg | $32,622 | 78% | 66 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,464 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $19,671.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of North Alabama — Net Price: $12,170 | Graduation Rate: 54%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Auburn University — 81% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Auburn University — Median alumni earnings: $65,337
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Alabama Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Alabama?
$44,391
Median earnings (10yr)
52%
Median graduation rate
$18,749
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Alabama, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 23 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $44,391 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 52%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,749 a year, with about $25,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 42% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Alabama pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $18,749 and median earnings of $44,391 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Alabama in Huntsville lands at #1 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $61,767 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,796 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Auburn University lands at #2 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $65,337 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,323 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Alabama at Birmingham lands at #3 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,501 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,749 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
The University of Alabama lands at #4 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $59,221 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,420 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Samford University lands at #5 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,469 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,622 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Jacksonville State University lands at #6 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,235 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,279 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of North Alabama lands at #7 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,415 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,170 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of South Alabama lands at #8 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,379 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,648 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Mobile lands at #9 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,611 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,382 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Montevallo lands at #10 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $42,957 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,683 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Auburn University at Montgomery lands at #11 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,391 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,224 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Spring Hill College lands at #12 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,500 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,449 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of West Alabama lands at #13 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,232 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,684 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Huntingdon College lands at #14 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $49,601 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,566 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Faulkner University lands at #15 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $43,457 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,085 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Tuskegee University lands at #16 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $49,641 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Stillman College lands at #17 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,421 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,258 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Troy University lands at #18 with a 53/100 composite, led by academic quality (59/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $42,062 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,527 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Oakwood University lands at #19 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $42,488 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,669 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Alabama A & M University lands at #20 with a 47/100 composite, led by social mobility (54/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $40,628 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,621 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Talladega College lands at #21 with a 47/100 composite, led by value per dollar (52/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,229 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,560 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Alabama State University lands at #22 with a 46/100 composite, led by social mobility (56/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $34,502 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,435 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Miles College lands at #23 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $32,627 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 23 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right bachelor's program can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Alabama, where there are numerous options across various fields. Each of these schools shares a commitment to student success, reflected in their graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. For many families, the decision hinges on outcomes that truly matter: how much students earn after graduation and how manageable their debt will be.
What sets the top-performing programs apart from the rest are their strong outcomes in earnings, graduation rates, and manageable debt levels. For instance, Auburn University stands out with an impressive average earnings of $65,337 and an 81% graduation rate, while the average earnings across all schools in this list is $46,464. This highlights the importance of not just choosing a school but understanding how each program can impact a student’s financial future.
Take Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham as examples. Auburn leads with significantly higher earnings at $65,337 compared to UAB's $54,501, but UAB has a lower net price of $18,749, which could appeal to students concerned about debt. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs students might face when evaluating schools based on their financial situations and personal goals.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 17 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Tuskegee University leads the group at 5.2%, with Spring Hill College (2.6%) and University of West Alabama (2.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 11.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Stillman College leads at 29.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 19.9% across this list. Spring Hill College posts the highest success rate at 39.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.34 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Samford University reaches 1.70, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we compare institutions like Auburn University and Samford University, the data reveals significant differences in outcomes. Auburn boasts a graduation rate of 81% and average earnings of $65,337, while Samford has a slightly lower graduation rate of 78% and earnings of $58,469. This discrepancy highlights how a small difference in graduation rates can lead to notably higher earnings, underscoring the importance of program effectiveness.
After reviewing these programs, it’s crucial to think about how this data aligns with your family's priorities. Consider factors such as campus culture, location, and specific fields of study. If affordability is a primary concern, the University of Alabama at Birmingham's lower net price might be more appealing despite its slightly lower earnings compared to Auburn. Weigh these metrics alongside personal preferences to find the best fit.
This data illustrates the impact of a college education on future earning potential and financial stability. For one family, choosing Auburn might lead to a more lucrative career path, but for another, the lower debt from UAB could lead to a more manageable financial future. Ultimately, each choice shapes a student’s journey toward a stable life.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama ranking? +
University of Alabama in Huntsville in Huntsville, AL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $61,767 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 63% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Auburn University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $65,337 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,464 average across the 23 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of North Alabama leads: graduates earn a median $45,415 against net price of about $12,170 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Auburn University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 81%, compared with a 50% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,671 a year across the 23 ranked schools with cost data. University of North Alabama is among the most affordable at roughly $12,170. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Alabama ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 23 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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