2027 Best Value Value Schools in Alabama
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Value Schools in Alabama
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Jacksonville State University, our #1 best value for value in Alabama. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Value graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Value graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Columbia Southern University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Value graduates carry a median of $25,447 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $63,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,162. Value graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Alabama State University, which ranked #4. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Students from in state pay about $11,248 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Value graduates carry a median of $33,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $37,721. Set against $33,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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.
