Best Colleges in Alabama

As the state's flagship university, the University of Alabama educates more than 38,000 students each year through an array of on-campus and online programs. Through "Bama by Distance," students can pursue fully online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like criminal justice, library and information studies, public health, and social work. Many online classes at UA are available asynchronously, though some require live participation in discussions and group projects. Students may also choose to enroll in a blended program, combining the flexibility of distance education with the structure and support of a traditional classroom experience. Students can also elect to take their exams online or at one of the university's partner testing centers. Online applicants who graduated from high school within the last four years must have a GPA of at least 3.0, while those who graduated more than four years prior to applying must have a GPA of at least 2.5. Prospective students with a GED certificate must have scored at least 510 on that exam.

The University of North Alabama participates in Quality Matters -- a voluntary program that helps to ensure online programs meet stringent academic requirements. In addition, all online courses at UNA are led by the same faculty who teach on campus. Online undergraduate learners can choose from majors like applied health science, criminal justice, and political science. They may also elect to customize their learning through an interdisciplinary studies major, drawing on business, humanities, and technology coursework. Online graduate programs give students the opportunity to earn an advanced degree in accounting, education, geographic information science, or writing. Undergraduate applicants typically need a minimum high school GPA of 2.25, along with an ACT score of at least 18 or an SAT score of at least 960. All prospective graduate students must have a bachelor's degree and take the GRE or GMAT, though some individual programs may also require a professional resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

A private liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Birmingham-Southern College serves around 1,200 students annually. BSC enrolls only undergraduate students, offering five types of bachelor's degrees: arts, fine arts, music education, musical arts, and science. Degree candidates can choose from more than 50 majors and minors, including subjects such as applied computer science, Asian studies, environmental studies, musical theater, and sociology. BSC offers a selection of online courses but no fully online degrees. BSC supports students through a variety of service-learning opportunities, primarily offered through the school's Krulak Institute for Leadership, Experiential Learning, and Civic Engagement. This institute connects students to internships, study abroad opportunities, community service, and leadership building programs. Students draw connections between academic study, professional practice, and community engagement. These programs encourage students to develop their sense of civics as well as a strong resume.

Based in Livingston, the University of West Alabama serves more than 5,000 students annually through campus-based and online courses. This public university oversees 90 different fields of study through five academic colleges: business and technology, education, liberal arts, natural sciences and mathematics, and nursing. Students can pursue associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, including options such as public safety, library media, athletic training, conservation and field biology, and quantitative finance. UWA's Student Support Services office provides a variety of resources specifically for first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. Designed to support students throughout their academic journey, the program offers interconnected services including one-on-one counseling, comprehensive academic advising, peer tutoring, study strategies development, and career counseling. The Student Support Services office also hosts workshops and information sessions that help students adjust to the college experience. Other students at UWA receive individualized advising from dedicated academic advisors and faculty members.

Originally founded in 1887 as a teachers college, Troy University now hosts undergraduate and graduate programs in fields like anthropology, exercise science, marine biology, and rehabilitation and disabilities studies. Through Troy Online, students can also seek degrees in applied computer science, hospitality management, and social work. All online courses run for nine weeks, giving students the opportunity to focus on one subject at a time while quickly progressing through their program's graduation requirements. While learners can complete their coursework at any time of the day, they must regularly interact with their instructors and classmates through forums, virtual conferences, chat, and email. Troy also partners with NetTutor to provide supplemental instruction in most subjects. Unconditional admission into a bachelor's program requires a minimum high school GPA of 2.0, as well as an ACT score of at least 20 or an SAT score of at least 1030. Transfer applicants must have previously earned at least 24 credits from a regionally accredited college or university.

A historically black university that is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Oakwood University serves a small student body of about 1,800 learners. The school hosts bachelor's and master's programs grouped under five distinct schools and colleges: arts and sciences, business, education and social sciences, nursing and health professions, and religion. Students can choose from dozens of academic and professional programs, such as biology, English and foreign languages, business administration, elementary education, and pastoral studies. Located in Huntsville, Oakwood University offers significant support to all students, including a four-year plan that emphasizes undergraduate success. First-year students develop a career map related to their professional aspirations before shadowing a professional in their field of interest during their second year at school. During their first and third years, students receive employment readiness training, preparing them for interviews and job searches. The school also holds regular career and job fairs for all academic disciplines.

Since launching its first distance learning program in 1993, Amridge University has steadily transitioned into a fully online university. At this Christian institution, students can pursue online degrees in more than 40 fields of study, including human resource leadership, marriage and family therapy, criminal justice, and information systems management. Over 90% of students at the university receive some form of financial aid, including a variety of institutional scholarships. First-time undergraduates pay discounted tuition as long as they maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in their college-level coursework, as do law enforcement and emergency services personnel. Amridge also awards scholarships to homeschooled students, transfer applicants, and learners who elect to pursue their degree on an accelerated basis. To apply to the university as an undergraduate, you must hold a high school diploma or GED certificate. First-year applicants must also submit ACT or SAT scores. Master's applicants must have a bachelor's degree, and prospective doctoral students must share an academic writing sample.

Based in Macon County, Tuskegee University ranks as one of the top historically black universities in the country and one of the top schools in the South. TU enrolls around 3,100 students annually and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields including architecture, visual arts, aerospace science engineering, food and nutritional sciences, and supply chain management. TU also offers a wide selection of online courses and two fully online graduate degrees in environmental science and environmental management. TU provides ample support for on-campus and online students, including academic advising, library resources, and tutoring services. Advisors assist students with enrollment, course selection, and finding additional school services. The school's libraries offer information resources and research support, with online assistance also available for distance students. Additionally, tutoring is available in most academic subjects -- including math, science, and writing -- through TU's Center of Academic Excellence and Innovative Learning.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville serves more than 9,000 students annually across nine distinct colleges. Students pursue a variety of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields such as the arts and humanities, business, education, engineering, and nursing. UAH offers an assortment of campus-based and distance programs. Given the nearby presence of the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command and the Marshall Space Flight Center, UAH holds a reputation for top science and engineering programs. UAH offers 89 bachelor's degrees, with undergraduate courses available in more than 100 areas of study. Students benefit from various educational and professional opportunities, including study abroad programs and comprehensive career services. Current students can connect with thousands of career opportunities through UAH's career services, including internships and co-op learning. Graduates can also take advantage of a substantial alumni network that encompasses the federal, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Although the majority of the college's offerings are only available on campus, Talladega College does host an online master's program in computer information systems and an online bachelor's degree completion program in organizational management. Some of the classes in these online programs feature synchronous instruction, meaning students must log in at set times each week to participate in discussions and activities. The FASTtrack program in organizational management serves adults ages 23 and older who have previously earned at least 45 college-level credits from another regionally accredited institution. Applicants must also hold a minimum GPA of 2.0 in their prior college coursework. Once enrolled, students can advance through coursework at their own pace, potentially earning their degree in as few as two years. Admission into the college's online graduate program requires a bachelor's degree. While all incoming undergraduate students receive automatic consideration for several academic scholarships, Talladega does not offer institutional awards to master's students.

A Methodist institution based in Montgomery, Huntingdon College serves a student body of approximately 1,100 learners. The school's small size leads to individualized attention for students, with an average class size of just 17 pupils and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-1. The school maintains a core curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and offers undergraduate degrees in a diverse array of subjects, including applied mathematics, athletic training, ministry and theology, music education, and veterinary medicine. Huntingdon's educational philosophy extends beyond the classroom, and most students participate in experiential learning activities such as study abroad trips, internships, and service learning. Short-term travel/study trips typically occurring during a student's senior year, with most travel expenses covered by the school's general tuition rate. Past study abroad destinations have included Iceland, Scotland, Australia, Kenya, and China. Students can also participate in the Irish-American Scholars Program, which lasts between a semester and a year.

Judson College -- a Christian college located in Marion -- boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 9-to-1, helping all learners receive direct access to highly trained and expert instructors. This commitment to developing supportive learning environments has led to 96% of Judson alumni finding work or entering a graduate program within one year of earning their degree. While only female students can enroll in Judson's on-campus programs, the college's online offerings are open to both men and women. Distance education students can pursue bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, elementary education, psychology, and religious studies. Online learners work at their own pace and have 2-4 months to complete each of their classes. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Prospective students who hold an associate degree may transfer up to 64 credits towards a bachelor's. While Judson does not limit the number of credits that can be transferred from another four-year institution, students must complete at least 32 credits at the college to earn an undergraduate degree.

A historically black university based in Montgomery, Alabama State University serves around 5,400 students annually across more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school's academic offerings encompass liberal arts, business, education, health sciences, science and mathematics, and visual and performance arts. The school also oversees a continuing education department that offers professional training and community classes. ASU hosts several online graduate programs, including library media and applied technology. ASU offers a variety of study abroad opportunities for undergraduates, with options that last from a week to an entire school year. The school maintains partnerships with several colleges and universities throughout the U.S. territories, Canada, Europe, and Asia, including the University of North British Columbia, the University of Guam, and the University of Stirling in Scotland. ASU also offers an intensive, week-long business program in South Korea.

A historically black, Presbyterian-affiliated, liberal arts college based in Tuscaloosa, Stillman College serves around 650 students annually. The school offers bachelor's degrees through three academic divisions: arts and sciences, business, and education. Though small in terms of its enrollment, Stillman hosts academic and professional programs in many subjects, including psychology, supply chain management, elementary education, and visual arts. The college also offers a specialized certificate in theology, which students can earn in 5-12 months. For working professionals interested in earning a degree but unable to commit to full-time on-campus courses, Stillman offers an accelerated management program, which uses a mixture of online and evening campus courses. Designed for adult students, this program requires applicants to possess at least 60 transferable college credits -- the equivalent of an associate degree -- with at least six credits in economics and three credits in marketing. Students who lack these prerequisites can complete Stillman's campus-based, pre-business administration program.

Auburn University was founded in 1856 as the East Alabama Male College. Since then, it has grown to serve more than 30,000 men and women annually through more than 150 undergraduate majors and a host of graduate-level offerings. In addition to pursuing online bachelor's degrees in business, computer science, and nursing, distance learners at Auburn can earn their master's in fields like environmental science, real estate development, and clinical rehabilitation counseling. All Auburn students can access a wealth of support services. Academic coaches help online and on-campus students develop skills related to academic workload management, note taking, and test preparation. The university's Study Smart program also matches learners with peer and staff tutors. Although Auburn does not set minimum academic requirements for admission, all undergraduate applicants must submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal statement. Graduate requirements vary by program, but most require a bachelor's degree and scores from the GRE or GMAT.

Athens State University endeavors to provide affordable and convenient education options. Students begin by choosing one of the university's more than 50 programs of study, then decide whether to seek their degree through day or evening classes, via weekend sessions exclusively, or through fully online and asynchronous courses. In addition, all online students enrolled in a degree program are eligible for the same financial aid programs as learners studying on campus. The university offers roughly 20 online bachelor's and master's degrees, covering subjects like religious studies, instructional design, global logistics and supply chain management, and information assurance. To better serve learners who want to enter a new field quickly or take on additional professional responsibilities, Athens State also provides online access to certificate tracks in aviation management and project management. As an upper-division institution, Athens State exclusively enrolls students who have already completed at least 36 credits of college-level coursework at another regionally accredited college or university. Prospective students must hold a minimum GPA of 2.0 in these courses to qualify for admission.

While many of this institution's 14,000 students study at its 1,200-acre campus in Mobile, the University of South Alabama also offers 15 fully online degrees. Bachelor's completion programs cater to students who have already earned an associate degree. Online master's and doctoral programs provide advanced training in early childhood education, instructional design, sport management, and nursing. All online classes at USA are delivered asynchronously, meaning students enjoy 24/7 access to lecture recordings, readings, and discussion boards. Online learners also benefit from web-based technical support, remote academic and transfer advising, and personalized feedback on essays and research papers from the university's online writing center. To enter a bachelor's program at USA, you must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. While the university does not set strict academic requirements, it generally prefers to admit candidates with a high school GPA of at least 2.5 and an ACT score of at least 19.

One of the state's major public research schools, the University of Alabama at Birmingham enrolls more than 21,000 students annually, with academic programs in more than 120 areas of study. The college's size enables it to offer a comprehensive array of resources and support services for students, from academic advising to career counseling. Undergraduates also benefit from the opportunity to participate in research, service-learning activities, and other forms of community engagement. The college is also home to the UAB Health System -- one of the country's largest academic health science centers. Along with the UAB Hospital, the college hosts a vast assortment of medicine and healthcare programs offered at all academic levels and in most common disciplines. Undergraduates can pursue majors in the health professions, nursing, public health, and a pre-professional program in medicine. UAB also offers dual-degree programs that combine medicine with fields such as public health or business.

Founded in 1841, Samford University ranks among the oldest colleges in Alabama and throughout the South. Today, the school enrolls about 5,600 students annually from its main campus in Homewood, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across 10 colleges and schools. As a non-denominational Christian college, Samford encourages both academic and religious development through a variety of secular and non-secular educational programs, with on-campus and fully online options available. Samford offers a large selection of undergraduate majors, concentrations, and minor options, including programs in acting and directing, Christian education and missions, creative writing, global and cultural studies, and music and worship. Distance students can also select online options -- primarily available at the graduate level -- in fields such as business administration, design studies, environmental management, and gifted education. Distance programs may require some on-campus components, such as in-person orientation sessions.