by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Alabama, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked 71 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed graduate schools 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.
Your ideal graduate school depends on your goals. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
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Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Auburn University tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Alabama. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Auburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,422. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
Samford University came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Alabama. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Samford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $64,132. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Alabama came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Alabama. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. The University Of Alabama graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,740. The University Of Alabama students take on a median of $24,496 in debt.
Out of the 71 graduate schools in Alabama in this year's ranking, University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Huntsville, AL. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $62,903. Typical student debt is $24,797.
You'll be in good company at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. University Of Alabama At Birmingham posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans.
Spring Hill College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mobile, AL. Spring Hill College posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees.
Columbia Southern University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,650. Students borrow a median of $25,447 to complete a degree here.
University Of North Alabama placed #8 among the best graduate schools in Alabama. Set in Florence, AL, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,357. The median student debt is $24,291.
University Of South Alabama ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,592. Typical student debt is $26,513.
Jacksonville State University placed #10 among the best graduate schools in Alabama. Located in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Jacksonville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete a degree here.
Athens State University landed the #11 spot in Alabama this year. Based in Athens, AL, Athens State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,020 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,700. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,808. Students borrow a median of $27,389 to complete a degree here.
University Of West Alabama did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Livingston, AL, University Of West Alabama is a public institution. About 28% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $31,894.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #13 in this year's ranking. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public school based in Hanceville, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,017. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville students take on a median of $13,146 in debt.
Auburn University At Montgomery did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Montgomery, AL, Auburn University At Montgomery is a public institution. Auburn University At Montgomery posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Auburn University At Montgomery graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,249. The median student debt is $29,746.
Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Rainsville, AL. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Early-career graduates earn a median of $35,119. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete a degree here.
Marion Military Institute landed the #16 spot in Alabama this year. Marion Military Institute is a public school based in Marion, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,538. Median early-career earnings reach $25,501. The median student debt is $12,000.
Troy University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Troy, AL, Troy University is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Median early-career earnings reach $46,723. Troy University students take on a median of $26,439 in debt.
Jefferson State Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Birmingham, AL, Jefferson State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,861. Students borrow a median of $15,083 to complete a degree here.
Huntingdon College landed the #19 spot in Alabama this year. Huntingdon College is a private not-for-profit school based in Montgomery, AL. Huntingdon College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $29,070 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $33,649. Graduates carry a median of $28,252 in student loans.
Bevill State Community College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Jasper, AL, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,514. Graduates carry a median of $11,040 in student loans.
Enterprise State Community College did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Enterprise, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Median early-career earnings reach $22,991. The median student debt is $7,875.
University Of Montevallo landed the #22 spot in Alabama this year. Located in Montevallo, AL, University Of Montevallo is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $36,673. University Of Montevallo students take on a median of $25,096 in debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Dothan, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $34,762. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan students take on a median of $9,942 in debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #24 spot in Alabama this year. Located in Muscle Shoals, AL, Northwest Shoals Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Northwest Shoals Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $33,842. Graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans.
Southern Union State Community College placed #25 among the best graduate schools in Alabama. Based in Wadley, AL, Southern Union State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Southern Union State Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,385. Typical student debt is $11,555.
These graduate schools also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.