2026 Best Nursing Schools in Alabama
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing in Alabama
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Nursing
Our analysis ranked The University Of Alabama the best school in the country for a degree in nursing. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 538 nursing degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $103,352 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,006 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for The University Of Alabama
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates 64% of students within six years. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 1,053 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $98,091 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,911 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes Auburn University one of the top schools for nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 268 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $83,847 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,449 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Auburn University
Samford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 226 nursing degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Samford University earn around $109,608 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Samford University
Spring Hill College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 23 nursing degrees were awarded at Spring Hill College in the most recent year.
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University Of South Alabama landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 1,440 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of South Alabama in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $100,588 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for University Of South Alabama
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. About 190 nursing degrees were awarded at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn around $59,770 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
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Bevill State Community College came in at #8 for nursing this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 182 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bevill State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Bevill State Community College earn around $63,532 in the first couple years of their career. Bevill State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Bevill State Community College
University Of North Alabama placed #9 among the best nursing schools. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. About 303 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of North Alabama earn around $69,449 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of North Alabama
Jacksonville State University came in at #10 for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Jacksonville. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 286 nursing degrees were awarded at Jacksonville State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $74,453. Jacksonville State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Jacksonville State University
Troy University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Troy University graduates 49% of students within six years. Troy University awarded about 302 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Troy University earn a median of $75,680 early in their careers. Troy University graduates carry a median of $27,153 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Troy University
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #12 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Huntsville awarded about 297 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $93,830 in their early career. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville
James H Faulkner State Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 186 nursing students who graduated with this degree at James H Faulkner State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from James H Faulkner State Community College earn around $67,900 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,653.
More information about a degree in nursing from James H Faulkner State Community College
Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #14 position for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Phenix City. Chattahoochee Valley Community College awarded about 58 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn around $67,491 in the first couple years of their career. Chattahoochee Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $18,588 in student loans.
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Athens State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Athens, Athens State University is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 10 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Athens State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $48,808 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,389 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. About 92 nursing degrees were awarded at Auburn University At Montgomery in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $69,625. Typical student debt for the program is $26,375.
Read more about the nursing program at Auburn University At Montgomery
Bishop State Community College landed the #17 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 57 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bishop State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $71,034 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Bishop State Community College
Herzing University Birmingham ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University Birmingham is a small private not-for-profit university. Herzing University Birmingham graduates 25% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Herzing University Birmingham in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Herzing University Birmingham earn around $94,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,509 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Herzing University Birmingham
Lurleen B Wallace Community College earned the #19 position for nursing this year. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. Lurleen B Wallace Community College awarded about 58 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn around $65,605 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
Read more about the nursing program at Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Jefferson State Community College earned the #20 position for nursing this year. Jefferson State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Birmingham. There were roughly 151 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Jefferson State Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Jefferson State Community College generally make around $63,811. Jefferson State Community College graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Jefferson State Community College
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Dothan. There were roughly 139 nursing students who graduated with this degree at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $59,653. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan graduates carry a median of $9,412 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Gadsden State Community College came in at #22 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Gadsden State Community College awarded about 105 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $61,443 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,850.
More information about a degree in nursing from Gadsden State Community College
John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #23 for nursing this year. John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tanner. John C Calhoun State Community College awarded about 183 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $56,995 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,041.
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Southern Union State Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 113 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Union State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Southern Union State Community College earn around $69,147 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250.
See the full nursing program report for Southern Union State Community College
Snead State Community College came in at #25 for nursing this year. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 46 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Snead State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $58,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,569.
Read more about the nursing program at Snead State Community College
Rest of the Top 36 Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 38 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.