by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 74 institutions by economic diversity in Alabama, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 74 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Diversity means different things to different students. Drill down by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? Try our tool College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Learn more about these economically diverse colleges below:
Paul Mitchell the School Birmingham tops our 2026 ranking of the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. Paul Mitchell the School Birmingham scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 36.1, and gender diversity 5.5.
A rank of #2 makes Coastal Alabama Community College one of the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 48.2, and gender diversity 96.8.
A rank of #3 makes Jacksonville State University one of the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 57.2, and gender diversity 97.7.
Out of the 74 colleges in Alabama in this year's ranking, Shelton State Community College landed the #4 spot. Shelton State Community College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.2, and gender diversity 96.8.
You'll find a welcoming community at Paul Mitchell the School Huntsville, which ranked #5 this year. Paul Mitchell the School Huntsville scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 46.2, and gender diversity 15.9.
Faulkner University earned the #6 position in Alabama. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 55.4, with a gender-diversity score of 98.3.
Enterprise State Community College earned the #7 position in Alabama. On economic diversity, it scores 99.7 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.8, and gender diversity 99.6.
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville placed #8 among the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 38.0, with a gender-diversity score of 94.0.
Bevill State Community College placed #9 among the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. Bevill State Community College scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 37.3, and gender diversity 96.6.
University Academy of Hair Design earned the #10 position in Alabama. The school's economic diversity score is 99.7 out of 100.
Central Alabama Community College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Central Alabama Community College scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 42.9, alongside a 95.5 gender-diversity score.
Auburn University at Montgomery earned the #12 position in Alabama. It scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.1, alongside a 97.5 gender-diversity score.
Marion Military Institute placed #13 among the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. On economic diversity, it scores 99.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.7, and gender diversity 83.4.
United States Sports University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. It scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 63.4, alongside a 84.5 gender-diversity score.
Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound came in at #15 in this year's ranking. The school's economic diversity score is 99.3 out of 100.
Athens State University landed the #16 spot in Alabama this year. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 46.8, with a gender-diversity score of 88.8.
Oakwood University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.4, with a gender-diversity score of 98.1.
The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.3 out of 100.
Huntsville Bible College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 99.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 11.0, and gender diversity 98.2.
Jefferson State Community College placed #20 among the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 51.2, with a gender-diversity score of 95.0.
Troy University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. It scores 99.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 58.6, with a gender-diversity score of 95.3.
Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #22 spot in Alabama this year. Northwest Shoals Community College scores 98.6 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 44.6, with a gender-diversity score of 98.6.
Snead State Community College placed #23 among the most economically diverse colleges in Alabama. It scores 98.6 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 38.1, with a gender-diversity score of 97.3.
Blue Cliff Career College earned the #24 position in Alabama. Blue Cliff Career College scores 98.2 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 42.1, and gender diversity 35.0.
University of West Alabama landed the #25 spot in Alabama this year. On economic diversity, it scores 98.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 51.7, alongside a 80.6 gender-diversity score.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the most economically diverse this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
