# Best Colleges in Alabama

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 28 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-alabama

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Alabama

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

When considering higher education options in Alabama, prospective students face a diverse array of choices. Each institution on this list shares a commitment to providing quality education, but they also differ significantly in outcomes that matter most to students and families. The average earnings for graduates across these 28 schools sit at $45,258, making it clear that some schools deliver better returns on investment than others.

The schools listed here are ranked based on a composite score that takes into account key factors such as graduation rates, average earnings, student debt, and mobility after graduation. Auburn University stands out with an impressive 81% graduation rate and earnings of $65,337, demonstrating a strong return for students willing to invest in their education. In contrast, Marion Military Institute, while having lower earnings at $59,644 and a graduation rate of just 33%, offers a much lower net price of $8,627, highlighting important trade-offs for prospective students.

For example, compare Auburn University and Samford University. Auburn's higher graduation rate of 81% and average earnings of $65,337 may appeal to those prioritizing a strong post-college outcome. On the other hand, Samford University has a solid graduation rate of 78% but lower earnings at $58,469 and a higher net price of $32,622. This contrast emphasizes the importance of aligning educational choices with personal priorities and financial realities.

## Key Findings

- Auburn University has the highest graduation rate at 81%.
- Marion Military Institute graduates earn an average of $59,644.
- The average debt for graduates in Alabama is $20,705.
- The University of Alabama graduates have an average earning of $59,221.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [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 |
| 2 | [Auburn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/auburn-university) | Auburn, AL | 81% | $65,337 | $24,323 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 3 | [Samford University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/samford-university) | Birmingham, AL | 78% | $58,469 | $32,622 | $19,500 | 0.33x |
| 4 | [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 |
| 5 | [The University of Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-alabama) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 74% | $59,221 | $22,420 | $22,750 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [Jacksonville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jacksonville-state-university) | Jacksonville, AL | 53% | $45,235 | $14,279 | $22,189 | 0.49x |
| 7 | [University of South Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-alabama) | Mobile, AL | 53% | $49,379 | $17,648 | $24,929 | 0.5x |
| 8 | [University of Montevallo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-montevallo) | Montevallo, AL | 52% | $42,957 | $17,683 | $24,000 | 0.56x |
| 9 | [University of North Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-alabama) | Florence, AL | 54% | $45,415 | $12,170 | $22,077 | 0.49x |
| 10 | [Spring Hill College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-hill-college) | Mobile, AL | 54% | $51,500 | $20,449 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 11 | [University of Mobile](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mobile) | Mobile, AL | 56% | $43,611 | $22,382 | $26,500 | 0.61x |
| 12 | [Auburn University at Montgomery](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery) | Montgomery, AL | 34% | $44,391 | $13,224 | $25,000 | 0.56x |
| 13 | [Jefferson State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jefferson-state-community-college) | Birmingham, AL | 24% | $40,719 | $9,086 | $9,689 | 0.24x |
| 14 | [Huntingdon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/huntingdon-college) | Montgomery, AL | 47% | $49,601 | $22,566 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 15 | [Marion Military Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marion-military-institute) | Marion, AL | 33% | $59,644 | $8,627 | $9,250 | 0.16x |
| 16 | [University of West Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-alabama) | Livingston, AL | 36% | $44,232 | $12,684 | $24,944 | 0.56x |
| 17 | [Faulkner University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/faulkner-university) | Montgomery, AL | 38% | $43,457 | $22,085 | $23,000 | 0.53x |
| 18 | [Tuskegee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tuskegee-university) | Tuskegee, AL | 56% | $49,641 | $35,013 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 19 | [Stillman College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stillman-college) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 32% | $35,421 | $15,258 | $29,067 | 0.82x |
| 20 | [Troy University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/troy-university) | Troy, AL | 48% | $42,062 | $16,527 | $25,000 | 0.59x |
| 21 | [Oakwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakwood-university) | Huntsville, AL | 47% | $42,488 | $25,669 | $27,000 | 0.64x |
| 22 | [Coastal Alabama Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coastal-alabama-community-college) | Bay Minette, AL | 29% | $34,894 | $13,644 | $11,000 | 0.32x |
| 23 | [Alabama A & M University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-a-m-university) | Normal, AL | 26% | $40,628 | $17,621 | $31,000 | 0.76x |
| 24 | [Alabama State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-state-university) | Montgomery, AL | 30% | $34,502 | $20,435 | $31,000 | 0.9x |
| 25 | [Talladega College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/talladega-college) | Talladega, AL | 43% | $32,229 | $15,560 | $28,500 | 0.88x |
| 26 | [Miles College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miles-college) | Fairfield, AL | 20% | $32,627 | $14,271 | $31,217 | 0.96x |
| 27 | [Lawson State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawson-state-community-college) | Birmingham, AL | 26% | $31,701 | $6,275 | N/A | N/A |
| 28 | [George C Wallace State Community College-Selma](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/george-c-wallace-state-community-college-selma) | Selma, AL | 40% | $31,598 | $9,272 | N/A | N/A |

## 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 Colleges in Alabama." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-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/.