2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Alabama
Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Alabama.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
The University Of Alabama is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 485 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $103,352 early in their careers. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,006 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The University Of Alabama
University Of Alabama At Birmingham is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates 64% of students within six years. About 868 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $98,091. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $21,911 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Alabama At Birmingham
A rank of #3 makes Auburn University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 264 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Auburn University earn around $83,847 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,449 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Auburn University
Samford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 102 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $109,608 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree.
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Spring Hill College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. Set in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Spring Hill College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Spring Hill College
University Of South Alabama ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,123 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of South Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $100,588. University Of South Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. There were roughly 190 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $59,770. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
Bevill State Community College earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 182 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bevill State Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $63,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Bevill State Community College
University Of North Alabama came in at #9 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. About 303 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Alabama in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $69,449 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of North Alabama
Jacksonville State University earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Jacksonville State University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 240 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville State University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $74,453 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Troy University placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Troy University awarded about 281 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $75,680. Students borrow a median of $27,153 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Troy University
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Huntsville awarded about 265 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $93,830. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500.
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James H Faulkner State Community College placed #13 among the best registered 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 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at James H Faulkner State Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $67,900. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at James H Faulkner State Community College
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Phenix City. Chattahoochee Valley Community College awarded about 58 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $67,491 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,588.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Athens State University placed #15 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Athens. There were roughly 10 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Athens State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Athens State University earn around $48,808 in the first couple years of their career. Athens State University graduates carry a median of $27,389 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Athens State University
Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. About 86 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Auburn University At Montgomery in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $69,625 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Auburn University At Montgomery
Bishop State Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Mobile. Bishop State Community College awarded about 57 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,034 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Bishop State Community College
Herzing University Birmingham placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Herzing University Birmingham is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Herzing University Birmingham graduates 25% of students within six years. About 62 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Herzing University Birmingham in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered 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.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Herzing University Birmingham
Lurleen B Wallace Community College placed #19 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Andalusia. About 58 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lurleen B Wallace Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $65,605 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
See the full registered nursing program report for Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Jefferson State Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 151 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Jefferson State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $63,811 in their early career. Jefferson State Community College graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Jefferson State Community College
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan awarded about 139 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $59,653. Students borrow a median of $9,412 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Gadsden State Community College came in at #22 for registered nursing this year. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. There were roughly 105 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Gadsden State Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $61,443. Students borrow a median of $10,850 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Gadsden State Community College
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 183 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at John C Calhoun State Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $56,995 early in their careers. John C Calhoun State Community College graduates carry a median of $18,041 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at John C Calhoun State Community College
Southern Union State Community College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 113 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Union State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southern Union State Community College earn around $69,147 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Union State Community College graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Southern Union State Community College
Snead State Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Boaz. About 46 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Snead State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $58,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,569.
See the full registered nursing program report for Snead State Community College
Rest of the Top 36 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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.