by our College Data Analytics TeamThere are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. This list is proof that you shouldn't avoid normally high-priced schools, since the actual price may be very affordable if you qualify for financial aid.
In This Year's Value Report:
After analyzing 39 schools in Alabama, we came up with our list of those that offered the best value programs. Our ranking for the best value schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
When determining the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking, we first look at its average net price of a student coming from a family that makes $0-$30k a year. The net price is defined as the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that the student receives. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how much it costs.
To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.
You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.
Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Wallace Community College, Dothan tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $0-$30k) school in Alabama for overall quality. Dothan, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Wallace Community College, Dothan is ranked #11 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,556.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest-Shoals Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. NW-SCC is a public institution located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Not only is Northwest-Shoals Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #34 in Alabama for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $1,000.
Read full value report on Northwest-Shoals Community College
A rank of #3 on our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list means Wallace Community College, Selma is a great place for students working on their degree. Wallace Community College, Selma is a small public school located in Selma, Alabama.
Not only is Wallace Community College, Selma a great value, but it is also ranked #33 in Alabama for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $1,733.
The quality degree programs at John C Calhoun State Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama. Calhoun Community College is a public institution located in Tanner, Alabama.
John C Calhoun State Community College has the honor of being ranked #13 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $4,940.
Read full value report on John C Calhoun State Community College
Out of the 39 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Bishop State Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Bishop State Community College is a small public school located in Mobile, Alabama.
Bishop State Community College has the honor of being ranked #24 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $2,967.
With a ranking of #6, Northeast Alabama Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. Northeast is located in Rainsville, Alabama and has a small student population. It is a public school.
Northeast Alabama Community College has the honor of being ranked #31 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $2,183.
Learn More About Value at Northeast Alabama Community College
With a ranking of #7, Gadsden State Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. GSCC is a small public school situated in Gadsden, Alabama.
Gadsden State Community College has the honor of being ranked #26 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $3,742.
Coastal Alabama Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Coastal Alabama Community College is located in Bay Minette, Alabama and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Coastal Alabama Community College is ranked #21 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $4,659.
Wallace State Community College, Hanceville landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Wallace State, Hanceville is a public institution located in Hanceville, Alabama.
Not only is Wallace State Community College, Hanceville a great value, but it is also ranked #14 in Alabama for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,178.
Full Wallace State Community College, Hanceville Value Report
With a ranking of #10, Southern Union State Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. Southern Union State Community College is a small public school situated in Wadley, Alabama.
Southern Union State Community College has the honor of being ranked #19 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,333.
Jefferson State Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Jeff State is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Jefferson State Community College is ranked #10 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,947.
Bevill State Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Bevill State Community College is a small public school located in Jasper, Alabama.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Bevill State Community College is ranked #23 for quality in the state of Alabama. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $6,428.
Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking, coming in at #13. LSCC - Birmingham Campus is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus is ranked #28 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,855.
Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Value Report
Auburn University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Auburn University is a large public school located in Auburn, Alabama.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Auburn University is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $16,701.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Lurleen B. Wallace Community College is a small public school situated in Andalusia, Alabama.
Not only is Lurleen B Wallace Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #20 in Alabama for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,140.
University of Alabama at Birmingham ranked #16 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. UAB is a large public school situated in Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Alabama at Birmingham is ranked #4 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,862.
Read full value report on University of Alabama at Birmingham
With a ranking of #17, University of South Alabama did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. USA is a fairly large public school situated in Mobile, Alabama.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of South Alabama is ranked #7 for quality in the state of Alabama. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,305.
University of North Alabama landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Located in Florence, Alabama, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
Not only is University of North Alabama a great value, but it is also ranked #9 in Alabama for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,228.
Shelton State Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Shelton State Community College is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has a small student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Shelton State Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #27 in Alabama for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,462.
Snead State Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking, coming in at #20. This small public school is located in Boaz, Alabama.
Snead State Community College has the honor of being ranked #37 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $6,778.
The University of Alabama landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama ranking. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the school is a large public institution.
Not only is The University of Alabama a great value, but it is also ranked #2 in Alabama for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $18,338.
University of West Alabama ranked #22 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. Located in Livingston, Alabama, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
University of West Alabama has the honor of being ranked #5 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,938.
Central Alabama Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. Central Alabama Community College is a small public school situated in Alexander City, Alabama.
Not only is Central Alabama Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #38 in Alabama for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $6,837.
University of Alabama in Huntsville ranked #24 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
University of Alabama in Huntsville has the honor of being ranked #6 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,654.
Read full value report on University of Alabama in Huntsville
With a ranking of #25, Troy University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Alabama list. TROY is a fairly large public school situated in Troy, Alabama.
Troy University has the honor of being ranked #15 in Alabama for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $12,287.
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Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
