# Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 47 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-alabama

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

Affordability is a top concern for many students considering college. In Alabama, a number of institutions stand out for their low net prices, making them accessible options for those on a budget. The schools on this list have been chosen specifically for their ability to provide a quality education without the burden of crippling debt.

What differentiates these colleges from others is not just their low costs, but also their outcomes. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions is $40,935, with a graduation rate of 43%. This means students can expect reasonable salaries after completing their studies while also understanding the importance of finishing their degrees for better job opportunities. The schools below reflect a range of programs, debt levels, and graduation rates, giving students a clear picture of what they might expect.

For instance, consider Northeast Alabama Community College and Northwest Shoals Community College. Northeast Alabama boasts a net price of $2,756 and a graduation rate of 53%, while Northwest Shoals has a slightly higher net price of $2,838 and a lower graduation rate at 36%. This highlights the trade-offs students may face as they weigh immediate costs against longer-term outcomes.

## Key Findings

- Northeast Alabama Community College has a net price of $2,756, making it the most affordable option.
- Graduates from Snead State Community College earn an average of $35,735, which is above the state's average earnings.
- Northwest Shoals Community College has a graduation rate of only 36%, indicating potential challenges in completing programs.
- The average debt for graduates across these colleges is around $8,000, which is manageable compared to national averages.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Northeast Alabama Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeast-alabama-community-college) | Rainsville, AL | 53% | $34,913 | $2,756 | $6,100 | 0.17x |
| 2 | [Northwest Shoals Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-shoals-community-college) | Muscle Shoals, AL | 36% | $33,828 | $2,838 | $10,000 | 0.3x |
| 3 | [Snead State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/snead-state-community-college) | Boaz, AL | 49% | $35,735 | $3,249 | $9,000 | 0.25x |
| 4 | [Chattahoochee Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chattahoochee-valley-community-college) | Phenix City, AL | 36% | $36,438 | $4,244 | $10,500 | 0.29x |
| 5 | [George C Wallace Community College-Dothan](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/george-c-wallace-community-college-dothan) | Dothan, AL | 31% | $31,399 | $1,170 | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | [Reid State Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/reid-state-technical-college) | Evergreen, AL | 58% | $28,982 | $1,739 | N/A | N/A |
| 7 | [Lurleen B Wallace Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lurleen-b-wallace-community-college) | Andalusia, AL | 42% | $32,307 | $2,792 | N/A | N/A |
| 8 | [Southern Union State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-union-state-community-college) | Wadley, AL | 32% | $36,597 | $6,142 | $11,000 | 0.3x |
| 9 | [Gadsden State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gadsden-state-community-college) | Gadsden, AL | 35% | $32,937 | $3,515 | N/A | N/A |
| 10 | [Marion Military Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marion-military-institute) | Marion, AL | 33% | $59,644 | $8,627 | $9,250 | 0.16x |
| 11 | [John C Calhoun State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/john-c-calhoun-state-community-college) | Tanner, AL | 41% | $38,192 | $7,660 | $12,000 | 0.31x |
| 12 | [Bishop State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bishop-state-community-college) | Mobile, AL | 31% | $29,916 | $5,397 | N/A | N/A |
| 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 | [Bevill State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bevill-state-community-college) | Jasper, AL | 41% | $34,107 | $5,937 | N/A | N/A |
| 15 | [Lawson State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawson-state-community-college) | Birmingham, AL | 26% | $31,701 | $6,275 | N/A | N/A |
| 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 | [University of North Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-alabama) | Florence, AL | 54% | $45,415 | $12,170 | $22,077 | 0.49x |
| 18 | [Auburn University at Montgomery](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/auburn-university-at-montgomery) | Montgomery, AL | 34% | $44,391 | $13,224 | $25,000 | 0.56x |
| 19 | [Jacksonville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jacksonville-state-university) | Jacksonville, AL | 53% | $45,235 | $14,279 | $22,189 | 0.49x |
| 20 | [H Councill Trenholm State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/h-councill-trenholm-state-community-college) | Montgomery, AL | 16% | $32,183 | $8,325 | N/A | N/A |
| 21 | [Enterprise State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/enterprise-state-community-college) | Enterprise, AL | 36% | $42,572 | $12,609 | $7,499 | 0.18x |
| 22 | [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 |
| 23 | [George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/george-c-wallace-state-community-college-hanceville) | Hanceville, AL | 50% | $39,842 | $13,170 | $11,000 | 0.28x |
| 24 | [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 |
| 25 | [Stillman College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stillman-college) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 32% | $35,421 | $15,258 | $29,067 | 0.82x |
| 26 | [Miles College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miles-college) | Fairfield, AL | 20% | $32,627 | $14,271 | $31,217 | 0.96x |
| 27 | [Talladega College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/talladega-college) | Talladega, AL | 43% | $32,229 | $15,560 | $28,500 | 0.88x |
| 28 | [Troy University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/troy-university) | Troy, AL | 48% | $42,062 | $16,527 | $25,000 | 0.59x |
| 29 | [University of South Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-alabama) | Mobile, AL | 53% | $49,379 | $17,648 | $24,929 | 0.5x |
| 30 | [University of Montevallo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-montevallo) | Montevallo, AL | 52% | $42,957 | $17,683 | $24,000 | 0.56x |
| 31 | [Central Alabama Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-alabama-community-college) | Alexander City, AL | 28% | $33,506 | $15,996 | $9,766 | 0.29x |
| 32 | [Alabama A & M University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-a-m-university) | Normal, AL | 26% | $40,628 | $17,621 | $31,000 | 0.76x |
| 33 | [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 |
| 34 | [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 |
| 35 | [Shelton State Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shelton-state-community-college) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 26% | $35,014 | $14,557 | N/A | N/A |
| 36 | [Spring Hill College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-hill-college) | Mobile, AL | 54% | $51,500 | $20,449 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 37 | [Alabama State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-state-university) | Montgomery, AL | 30% | $34,502 | $20,435 | $31,000 | 0.9x |
| 38 | [Herzing University-Birmingham](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-birmingham) | Birmingham, AL | 28% | $36,909 | $19,651 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 39 | [Faulkner University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/faulkner-university) | Montgomery, AL | 38% | $43,457 | $22,085 | $23,000 | 0.53x |
| 40 | [The University of Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-alabama) | Tuscaloosa, AL | 74% | $59,221 | $22,420 | $22,750 | 0.38x |
| 41 | [University of Mobile](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mobile) | Mobile, AL | 56% | $43,611 | $22,382 | $26,500 | 0.61x |
| 42 | [Huntingdon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/huntingdon-college) | Montgomery, AL | 47% | $49,601 | $22,566 | $27,000 | 0.54x |
| 43 | [Auburn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/auburn-university) | Auburn, AL | 81% | $65,337 | $24,323 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 44 | [Oakwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakwood-university) | Huntsville, AL | 47% | $42,488 | $25,669 | $27,000 | 0.64x |
| 45 | [Remington College-Mobile Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/remington-college-mobile-campus) | Mobile, AL | 45% | $31,349 | $26,120 | $13,271 | 0.42x |
| 46 | [Samford University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/samford-university) | Birmingham, AL | 78% | $58,469 | $32,622 | $19,500 | 0.33x |
| 47 | [Tuskegee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tuskegee-university) | Tuskegee, AL | 56% | $49,641 | $35,013 | $27,000 | 0.54x |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.