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Best Colleges in Alabama 2026

Rankings based on graduation rates, earnings, selectivity, and affordability. See our methodology.

Alabama has 61 colleges and universities in our database; 55 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 25 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).
25
Schools Ranked
$45,656
Avg. Earnings
50.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
# School Graduation Rate Median Earnings Acceptance Rate In-State Tuition
1 79.2% $65,337 43.7% $12,536
2 73.7% $59,221 80.1% $11,900
3 37.2% $63,534 $5,808
4 57.1% $49,641 29.7% $23,440
5 64.2% $59,481 57.2% $22,750
6 61.9% $61,767 78.1% $11,770
7 62.4% $54,501 86.7% $8,832
8 48.2% $39,842 $4,980
9 52.6% $49,379 65.4% $9,676
10 65.0% $32,229 $15,650
11 48.5% $35,735 $5,472
12 55.3% $28,982 $6,100
13 79.9% $58,469 83.3% $38,144
14 40.8% $38,192 $5,060
15 43.6% $34,107 $4,678
16 31.5% $59,644 62.7% $9,538
17 49.4% $42,957 59.8% $13,710
18 43.2% $32,307 $4,980
19 36.1% $36,438 $5,040
20 56.1% $51,500 72.6% $23,270
21 29.4% $42,572 $5,040
22 39.1% $31,598 $4,680
23 51.1% $45,235 78.5% $12,426
24 31.8% $34,913 $4,980
25 32.8% $33,828 $5,071

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See our methodology for how rankings are calculated.