2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama
With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Alabama ranking.
Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
Our analysis looked at 21 schools in Alabama to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Alabama have accumulated an average of $21,124 in student debt.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Associate Degree Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
1,582
Associate Degrees Awarded
$50,040
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,519
Average Student Debt
Columbia Southern University tops this year’s ranking as the best school for associate degrees in Alabama for overall quality. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Orange Beach, Alabama that handed out 1,582 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Columbia Southern University is $50,040 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,519 after getting their degree.
Full Columbia Southern University Report
118
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,969
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,169
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at Herzing University - Birmingham helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Alabama. Herzing University - Birmingham is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 118 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,969 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $31,169 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $107 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Herzing University - Birmingham
975
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,906
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,324
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at Jefferson State Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Alabama. Jefferson State Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 975 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Jeff State make an average of $37,906 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,324.
Learn More About Jefferson State Community College
978
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,559
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,623
Average Student Debt
A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in Alabama list means Wallace State Community College, Hanceville is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Hanceville, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 978 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Wallace State, Hanceville go into careers with an average salary of $37,559 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,623 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Wallace State Community College, Hanceville
476
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,753
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,450
Average Student Debt
Out of the 21 associate degree schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Wallace Community College, Dothan landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Dothan, Alabama, the small public school handed out 476 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Wallace, Dothan make an average of $31,753 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $7,450 in student loans.
Read full report on Wallace Community College, Dothan
1,373
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,694
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,214
Average Student Debt
John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Located in Tanner, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,373 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Calhoun Community College go into careers with an average salary of $38,694 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,214 in student loans.
Full John C Calhoun State Community College Report
86
Associate Degrees Awarded
$15,412
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,000
Average Student Debt
Marion Military Institute came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Marion Military Institute is a small public school situated in Marion, Alabama. It awarded 86 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Marion Military Institute go into careers with an average salary of $15,412 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,000 in student loans.
Read full report on Marion Military Institute
641
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,006
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,861
Average Student Debt
Southern Union State Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Wadley, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 641 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Southern Union State Community College make an average of $32,006 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,861 in student loans.
Read full report on Southern Union State Community College
411
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,544
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,265
Average Student Debt
Snead State Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Boaz, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 411 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Snead State Community College make an average of $35,544 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,265.
Full Snead State Community College Report
848
Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,421
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,305
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #10, Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Coastal Alabama Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bay Minette, Alabama. It awarded 848 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Coastal Alabama Community College go into careers with an average salary of $33,421 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,305 in student loans.
Full Coastal Alabama Community College Report
338
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,536
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,703
Average Student Debt
Troy University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. TROY is a fairly large public school situated in Troy, Alabama. It awarded 338 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from TROY make an average of $43,536 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $27,703 in student loans.
Read full report on Troy University
295
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,907
Average Early-Career Earnings
$5,500
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #12, Lurleen B Wallace Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Andalusia, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 295 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College is $40,907 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $5,500 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Lurleen B Wallace Community College
645
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,270
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,110
Average Student Debt
Gadsden State Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. GSCC is a small public school situated in Gadsden, Alabama. It awarded 645 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $35,270 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,110.
Read full report on Gadsden State Community College
353
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,932
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,268
Average Student Debt
Bishop State Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking, coming in at #14. Bishop State Community College is a public institution located in Mobile, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 353 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,932 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,268.
Learn More About Bishop State Community College
528
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,744
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,513
Average Student Debt
Bevill State Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Located in Jasper, Alabama, the small public school awarded 528 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Bevill State Community College make an average of $31,744 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,513 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Bevill State Community College
537
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,985
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,875
Average Student Debt
Shelton State Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Shelton State Community College is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 537 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Shelton State Community College is $34,985 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $9,875 in student loans.
Full Shelton State Community College Report
464
Associate Degrees Awarded
$27,870
Average Early-Career Earnings
$6,881
Average Student Debt
Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. Rainsville, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 464 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Northeast is $27,870 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $6,881 in student loans.
Read full report on Northeast Alabama Community College
369
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,532
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,625
Average Student Debt
Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking, coming in at #18. LSCC - Birmingham Campus is a small public school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 369 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from LSCC - Birmingham Campus make an average of $40,532 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,625 in student loans.
Learn More About Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus
272
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,604
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,123
Average Student Debt
Wallace Community College, Selma came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama ranking. This small public school is located in Selma, Alabama, and it awarded 272 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from WCCS go into careers with an average salary of $40,604 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $11,123.
Read full report on Wallace Community College, Selma
485
Associate Degrees Awarded
$28,614
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,167
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #20, Northwest-Shoals Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. NW-SCC is a public institution located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 485 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $28,614 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,167 in student loans.
Learn More About Northwest-Shoals Community College
188
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,031
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,583
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #21, Central Alabama Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Alabama list. Central Alabama Community College is a public institution located in Alexander City, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 188 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Central Alabama Community College is $34,031 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,583.
Full Central Alabama Community College Report
Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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