by our College Data Analytics TeamAuburn University ranks #1 of 31 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Alabama ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 52% six-year graduation rate and $62,040 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Alabama, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **31** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 31 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Auburn University leads the 31 ranked colleges in Alabama, followed by Samford University (#2) and The University Of Alabama (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Leading the list is Auburn University, our #1 college in Alabama. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #2 makes Samford University one of the top colleges in Alabama. Located in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,039.
The strong outcomes at The University Of Alabama earned it the #3 place in Alabama. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,496.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Alabama. Located in Huntsville, AL, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public institution. University Of Alabama At Huntsville posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Median early-career earnings reach $62,903. The median student debt is $24,797.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Alabama. Based in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Median early-career earnings reach $55,413. Graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans.
Spring Hill College placed #6 among the best colleges in Alabama. Located in Mobile, AL, Spring Hill College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees.
Columbia Southern University landed the #7 spot in Alabama this year. Set in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,650. Columbia Southern University students take on a median of $25,447 in debt.
Jacksonville State University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Jacksonville State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $45,361. Graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans.
University Of North Alabama did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Florence, AL, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. University Of North Alabama posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. University Of North Alabama graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,357. Graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans.
Athens State University did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Athens, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $10,020, compared with $17,700 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $48,808. Students borrow a median of $27,389 to complete a degree here.
University Of South Alabama did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Mobile, AL, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,592. Graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans.
Troy University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Troy, AL. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Median early-career earnings reach $46,723. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete a degree here.
University Of West Alabama placed #13 among the best colleges in Alabama. Set in Livingston, AL, University Of West Alabama is a public institution. University Of West Alabama posts a six-year graduation rate of 28%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,270. University Of West Alabama students take on a median of $31,894 in debt.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #14 spot in Alabama this year. Located in Montgomery, AL, Auburn University At Montgomery is a public institution. Auburn University At Montgomery posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Median early-career earnings reach $44,249. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete a degree here.
University Of Montevallo ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. University Of Montevallo is a public school based in Montevallo, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $36,673. University Of Montevallo students take on a median of $25,096 in debt.
Faulkner University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Montgomery, AL, Faulkner University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,920. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,934. Students borrow a median of $29,942 to complete a degree here.
Huntingdon College placed #17 among the best colleges in Alabama. Located in Montgomery, AL, Huntingdon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Huntingdon College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $29,070 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $33,649. Students borrow a median of $28,252 to complete a degree here.
University Of Mobile landed the #18 spot in Alabama this year. University Of Mobile is a private not-for-profit school based in Mobile, AL. University Of Mobile graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $26,910 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,507 early in their careers. University Of Mobile students take on a median of $30,127 in debt.
Tuskegee University placed #19 among the best colleges in Alabama. Tuskegee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Tuskegee, AL. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $25,386 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,198. The median student debt is $29,356.
Amridge University placed #20 among the best colleges in Alabama. Amridge University is a private not-for-profit school based in Montgomery, AL. About 100% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,470 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $46,125.
United States Sports Academy did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Daphne, AL, United States Sports Academy is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,700. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,592 early in their careers.
Alabama A And M University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Normal, AL, Alabama A And M University is a public institution. About 24% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Alabama A And M University graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,909. Typical student debt is $31,896.
Herzing University Birmingham ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Birmingham, AL, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 25%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Median early-career earnings reach $50,212. Graduates carry a median of $29,954 in student loans.
Oakwood University landed the #24 spot in Alabama this year. Set in Huntsville, AL, Oakwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Oakwood University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. Students from in state pay about $22,512 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $30,724. Graduates carry a median of $43,375 in student loans.
Alabama State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Montgomery, AL, Alabama State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,721 early in their careers. The median student debt is $33,709.
These 6 colleges rank #26 through #31 of 31 in Alabama. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.