# Best Biology Colleges in Alabama

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 18 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-alabama

## Methodology

Biology programs in Alabama ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a biology program can be a significant decision for students and families alike. With 18 colleges in Alabama offering biology degrees, it's essential to consider factors like graduation rates and earnings potential. For instance, Auburn University stands out with an average earning of $65,337 for its graduates.

The strongest programs in this list are defined by their outcomes. Key metrics include graduation rates, average earnings, net price, and student debt. For example, Auburn University leads with an impressive 81% graduation rate, while the average graduation rate across these schools is only 50%. This indicates that while many institutions offer biology programs, the commitment to student success varies greatly.

Take Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham as examples. While Auburn's graduates earn $65,337 on average, UAB graduates earn $54,501. However, UAB has a lower net price of $18,749 compared to Auburn's $24,323, highlighting the trade-off between potential earnings and the cost of education. These contrasts can help students assess what matters most to them as they consider their options.

## Key Findings

- Auburn University graduates earn an average of $65,337, the highest among Alabama biology programs.
- The average graduation rate for biology programs in Alabama is 50%.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham has a net price of $18,749, significantly lower than Auburn's $24,323.
- University of South Alabama graduates have an average earning of $49,379, the lowest in the top five.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Alabama at Birmingham](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham) | Birmingham, AL | 63% | $54,501 | $18,749 | $22,300 | 0.41x |
| 2 | [Auburn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/auburn-university) | Auburn, AL | 81% | $65,337 | $24,323 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 3 | [University of Alabama in Huntsville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-alabama-in-huntsville) | Huntsville, AL | 63% | $61,767 | $18,796 | $20,705 | 0.34x |
| 4 | [Huntingdon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/huntingdon-college) | Montgomery, AL | 47% | $49,601 | $22,566 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 5 | [University of South Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-alabama) | Mobile, AL | 53% | $49,379 | $17,648 | $24,929 | 0.5x |
| 6 | [The University of Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-alabama) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 74% | $59,221 | $22,420 | $22,750 | 0.38x |
| 7 | [Jacksonville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jacksonville-state-university) | Jacksonville, AL | 53% | $45,235 | $14,279 | $22,189 | 0.49x |
| 8 | [Auburn University at Montgomery](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery) | Montgomery, AL | 34% | $44,391 | $13,224 | $25,000 | 0.56x |
| 9 | [University of Montevallo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-montevallo) | Montevallo, AL | 52% | $42,957 | $17,683 | $24,000 | 0.56x |
| 10 | [University of North Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-alabama) | Florence, AL | 54% | $45,415 | $12,170 | $22,077 | 0.49x |
| 11 | [University of Mobile](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mobile) | Mobile, AL | 56% | $43,611 | $22,382 | $26,500 | 0.61x |
| 12 | [Spring Hill College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-hill-college) | Mobile, AL | 54% | $51,500 | $20,449 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 13 | [Tuskegee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tuskegee-university) | Tuskegee, AL | 56% | $49,641 | $35,013 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 14 | [Stillman College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stillman-college) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 32% | $35,421 | $15,258 | $29,067 | 0.82x |
| 15 | [Oakwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakwood-university) | Huntsville, AL | 47% | $42,488 | $25,669 | $27,000 | 0.64x |
| 16 | [Alabama A & M University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-a-m-university) | Normal, AL | 26% | $40,628 | $17,621 | $31,000 | 0.76x |
| 17 | [Alabama State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-state-university) | Montgomery, AL | 30% | $34,502 | $20,435 | $31,000 | 0.9x |
| 18 | [Miles College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miles-college) | Fairfield, AL | 20% | $32,627 | $14,271 | $31,217 | 0.96x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Biology Colleges in Alabama." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-alabama

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.
