College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education

16 Ranked Colleges
5,062 Degrees Awarded
$26,500 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education

When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.

Across Alabama, there were 5,062 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,984 and $27,485 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Education Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education

The colleges and universities below are the best for alabama vets studying education.

Top 16 Best Education Colleges for Veterans in Alabama

1
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Alabama. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education. UA is a large school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 368 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UA also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 37,840 students enrolled at UA, 2,081 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,128 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,975. In addition to receiving other benefits, 357 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full The University of Alabama Veteran Student Life Report

2
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Auburn University. The school came in at #2 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education. Auburn University is a large school located in Auburn, Alabama that handed out 591 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our alabama vets studying education list, Auburn has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 1,499 of the 30,737 students enrolled at Auburn University were GI Bill® students, of which 746 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,423. On top of their other funding sources, 68 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Auburn University Veteran Student Life Report

3
TROY crest
Troy University
Troy, Alabama

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Troy University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education. Troy University is located in Troy, Alabama and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 296 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

TROY also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 16,497 students enrolled at Troy University, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 2 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,250. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

4

Out of the 16 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Alabama at Birmingham landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 499 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UAB also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 22,563 students enrolled at University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1,194 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 508 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,983. To help with additional expenses, 15 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Alabama at Birmingham does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Alabama at Birmingham]](/colleges/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/student-life/veterans/)

5
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

Out of the 16 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education that were part of this year’s ranking, Samford University landed the #5 spot on the list. Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 145 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our alabama vets studying education list, Samford has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 5,729 students enrolled at Samford University, 162 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 101 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,201. During this same period, 36 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Samford University offers credit for military training for eligible students.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read More…

6

University of North Alabama ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education list. Located in Florence, Alabama, this medium-sized public school handed out 265 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

UNA also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 8,086 students enrolled at UNA, 331 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 126 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,111. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

7

University of Alabama in Huntsville came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and it awarded 49 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAH, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 9,999 students enrolled at University of Alabama in Huntsville, 645 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 294 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,721. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read More…

8

University of South Alabama landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education ranking. University of South Alabama is a public institution located in Mobile, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 380 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, University of South Alabama supports 14,224 students, and 868 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 411 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,549. During this same period, 11 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full University of South Alabama Veteran Student Life Report

9

Auburn University at Montgomery landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education ranking. AUM is a medium-sized school located in Montgomery, Alabama that handed out 152 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at AUM, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 5,212 students enrolled at AUM, 608 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 193 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,654. On top of their other funding sources, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

10
Jacksonville State University crest
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama

Jacksonville State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education ranking. Jacksonville State University is a medium-sized school located in Jacksonville, Alabama that handed out 343 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Jacksonville State University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 9,238 students enrolled at Jacksonville State University, 371 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 125 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,159. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Jacksonville State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Jacksonville State University]](/colleges/jacksonville-state-university/student-life/veterans/)

11
Alabama State crest
Alabama State University
Montgomery, Alabama

Alabama State University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education list. Alabama State University is a small school located in Montgomery, Alabama that handed out 61 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Alabama State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 309 of the 4,072 students enrolled at Alabama State were GI Bill® students, of which 50 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,151. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Alabama State offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

12
University of West Alabama crest
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama

University of West Alabama did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Livingston, Alabama, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,334 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of West Alabama, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 217 of the 5,734 students enrolled at University of West Alabama were GI Bill® students, of which 78 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,310. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full University of West Alabama Veteran Student Life Report

13
University of Mobile crest
University of Mobile
Mobile, Alabama

With a ranking of #13, University of Mobile did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education list. University of Mobile is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mobile, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Mobile also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 60 of the 2,016 students enrolled at University of Mobile were GI Bill® students, of which 37 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,844. In addition to receiving other benefits, 2 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Mobile does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Mobile]](/colleges/university-of-mobile/student-life/veterans/)

14
Faulkner crest
Faulkner University
Montgomery, Alabama

With a ranking of #14, Faulkner University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education list. Faulkner is located in Montgomery, Alabama and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Faulkner also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 20 of the 2,961 students enrolled at Faulkner University were GI Bill® students, of which 12 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,817. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Faulkner University Veteran Student Life Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Athens State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education list. This small school is located in Athens, Alabama, and it awarded 249 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Athens State University also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, Athens State University supports 2,867 students, and 144 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 72 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,326. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Athens State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full Athens State University Veteran Student Life Report

16
Montevallo crest
University of Montevallo
Montevallo, Alabama

University of Montevallo landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Alabama for Education ranking. University of Montevallo is a public institution located in Montevallo, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 135 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Montevallo also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 2,600 students enrolled at University of Montevallo, 117 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 35 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,063. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full University of Montevallo Veteran Student Life Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options