2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama
With all of the options veterans have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking.
Our analysis looked at 36 schools in Alabama to determine which ones were the best for veterans and active service men and women. Our ranking methodology focuses on over 20 different objective factors - such as percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, number of GI Bill® recipients at the school, and overall quality - to make this determination.
Get more details on our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Alabama
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our analysis found University of Alabama at Birmingham to be the best school for veterans in Alabama in this year’s ranking. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the large public school handed out 5,675 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 22,563 students enrolled at UAB, 1,193 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 618 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,106. In addition to receiving other benefits, 12 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. UAB did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Alabama. The school came in at #2 in Alabama on this year’s best for vets ranking. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the large public school handed out 10,340 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 2,079 of the 37,840 students enrolled at UA were GI Bill® students, of which 1,228 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,410. To help with additional expenses, 409 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UA is ranked #2 for overall quality in Alabama.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Athens State University. It ranked #3 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Athens, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 737 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Athens State University supports 2,867 students, and 167 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 85 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,297. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Out of the 36 schools in Alabama that were part of this year’s ranking, Auburn University landed the #4 spot on the list. Auburn is a public institution located in Auburn, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,516 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Auburn supports 30,737 students, and 1,435 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 826 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,004. On top of their other funding sources, 42 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Auburn does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. Auburn did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Schools in Alabama list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Samford University. The school came in at #5 in Alabama on this year’s best for vets ranking. Samford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,726 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 5,729 students enrolled at Samford, 160 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 106 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,757. To help with additional expenses, 32 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Samford also made our Best Schools in Alabama list, coming in at #3.
University of Alabama in Huntsville ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. This medium-sized public school is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and it awarded 2,267 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, UAH supports 9,999 students, and 628 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 405 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,026. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
UAH also took the #5 spot in our Best Schools in Alabama rankings.
Troy University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. TROY is a fairly large public school situated in Troy, Alabama. It awarded 3,727 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 16,497 students enrolled at TROY, 1,738 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 973 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,921. TROY does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
University of South Alabama landed the #8 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Mobile, Alabama, and it awarded 3,538 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 14,224 students enrolled at USA, 903 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 498 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,862. On top of their other funding sources, 30 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, USA also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Alabama ranking.
With a ranking of #9, Jacksonville State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Jacksonville State University is located in Jacksonville, Alabama and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,869 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
According to our most recent data, Jacksonville State University supports 9,238 students, and 393 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 136 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,023. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
University of Montevallo ranked #10 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Montevallo is a public institution located in Montevallo, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 593 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Montevallo supports 2,600 students, and 122 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 63 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,813. Montevallo does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #11, University of North Alabama did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. This medium-sized public school is located in Florence, Alabama, and it awarded 1,660 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 331 of the 8,086 students enrolled at UNA were GI Bill® students, of which 171 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,742. UNA does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Auburn University at Montgomery did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 941 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, AUM supports 5,212 students, and 606 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 267 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,081. To help with additional expenses, 12 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #13, Columbia Southern University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Orange Beach, Alabama. It awarded 7,306 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 18,533 students enrolled at Columbia Southern University, 4,570 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 3,438 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,177. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
University of Mobile ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 350 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, University of Mobile supports 2,016 students, and 67 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 54 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,066. On top of their other funding sources, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Amridge University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Montgomery, Alabama that handed out 129 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Amridge supports 775 students, and 58 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 33 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,071. Amridge does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Alabama A & M University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Normal, Alabama, the medium-sized public school handed out 896 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 5,977 students enrolled at AAMU, 408 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 102 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,613. AAMU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Birmingham Southern College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking. Birmingham Southern College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 251 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 1,129 students enrolled at BSC, 36 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,230.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. BSC also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Alabama list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Stillman College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking, coming in at #18. Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 96 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 712 students enrolled at Stillman College, 41 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 15 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,419. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #19, Wallace State Community College, Hanceville did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Wallace State, Hanceville is located in Hanceville, Alabama and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 979 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the 4,763 students enrolled at Wallace State, Hanceville, 219 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 125 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,796. In addition to receiving other benefits, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Wallace State, Hanceville does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Snead State Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking. Located in Boaz, Alabama, the small public school awarded 414 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Snead State Community College supports 2,006 students, and 64 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 43 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,407.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama ranking. Northeast is a public institution located in Rainsville, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 594 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,530 students enrolled at Northeast, 66 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 43 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,215. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #22, Faulkner University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Faulkner is located in Montgomery, Alabama and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 844 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 2,961 students enrolled at Faulkner, 193 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 141 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,206. On top of their other funding sources, 7 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Faulkner does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #23, Alabama State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, the small public school handed out 711 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Alabama State supports 4,072 students, and 342 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 70 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,530. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Herzing University - Birmingham ranked #24 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 149 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 65 of the 619 students enrolled at Herzing University - Birmingham were GI Bill® students, of which 42 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,734. In addition to receiving other benefits, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Herzing University - Birmingham also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Alabama list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Tuskegee University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Alabama list. Located in Tuskegee, Alabama, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 572 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,747 students enrolled at Tuskegee, 130 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 55 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,243. Tuskegee does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Best Colleges for Veterans in the Southeast Region
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Best Colleges in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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