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Small Colleges in Alabama

47 schools in Alabama. See our methodology.

Alabama's smallest colleges serve fewer than 5,000 students each, yet their outcomes vary dramatically across 47 institutions. Reid State Technical College charges just $131 per year and achieves a 55.3% graduation rate, while Samford University costs $30,795 annually but delivers the state's highest graduation rate at 79.9%. Marion Military Institute graduates earn $59,644 despite enrolling only 308 students, reflecting Alabama's military heritage and aerospace connections. These schools range from community colleges training workers for Hyundai and Airbus plants to historically black institutions like Tuskegee University, which charges $32,977 but maintains strong ties to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center research. Acceptance rates span from highly selective Tuskegee at 29.7% to Samford's open 83.3% admissions. The state's growing automotive and aerospace sectors create unique opportunities for technical college graduates, with companies like Mercedes-Benz and Boeing actively recruiting from Alabama's smaller institutions. Community colleges dominate the affordability market, with 15 schools costing under $15,000 annually. The Alabama Student Grant Program helps bridge funding gaps, particularly important given the $32,846 spread between the most and least expensive options. Geographic distribution favors rural communities, where these colleges often serve as economic anchors and primary pathways to middle-class careers in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors driving Alabama's economic transformation.
47
Schools
$13,135
Avg. Net Price
$39,165
Avg. Earnings
38.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Alabama

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 2,367 $32,977 57.1% 29.7%
2 713 $23,351 64.2% 57.2%
3 4,413 $14,042 48.2%
4 782 $13,461 65.0%
5 1,494 $6,369 48.5%
6 365 $131 55.3%
7 3,828 $30,795 79.9% 83.3%
8 2,189 $5,249 43.6%
9 308 $10,137 31.5% 62.7%
10 2,087 $17,053 49.4% 59.8%
11 1,122 $3,041 43.2%
12 1,044 $5,814 36.1%
13 850 $19,514 56.1% 72.6%
14 1,476 $8,187 29.4%
15 828 $970 39.1%
16 1,547 $1,612 31.8%
17 1,924 $4,545 32.8%
18 3,619 $3,568 32.2%
19 3,888 $8,652 27.0%
20 2,666 $13,832 38.0% 68.9%
21 244 $25,655 47.5%
22 1,253 $23,384 49.9% 68.1%
23 4,714 $9,514 26.4%
24 761 $12,272 41.0% 64.5%
25 865 $21,401 46.9% 66.0%
26 339 $22,914 36.2%
27 2,720 $6,564 26.4%
28 3,053 $2,697 26.5%
29 1,134 $14,346 24.0%
30 3,191 $10,880 21.5%
31 1,079 $19,603 55.5% 84.1%
32 2,100 $4,176 23.2%
33 63 50.0% 100.0%
34 1,151 $14,514 25.7%
35 1,584 $5,568 16.6%
36 2,693 $14,596 35.7% 92.2%
37 719 $4,644 11.1%
38 1,555 $21,165 37.7% 82.4%
39 302 $25,157 15.4%
40 1,473 $22,923
41 226 40.0%
42 3,322 $13,889 30.2% 96.6%
43 34 24.0%
44 445 $20,957 25.0% 94.1%
45 136 100.0%
46 82 $11,562
47 2,407

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Alabama's smallest colleges affordable compared to larger universities?

Community colleges dominate Alabama's small college market, with schools like Reid State Technical College costing just $131 annually. Even four-year institutions like Talladega College charge only $13,461 net price. The Alabama Student Grant Program provides additional support, making 32 of the 47 small colleges cost under $15,000 per year.

How do graduation rates compare between technical schools and liberal arts colleges?

Technical schools often outperform expectations, with Reid State achieving 55.3% graduation rates at minimal cost. Liberal arts colleges like Samford University lead at 79.9%, while Birmingham-Southern reaches 64.2%. Community colleges average around 43%, though this reflects different student populations and transfer patterns rather than institutional quality.

Where do graduates from Alabama's small colleges typically find employment?

Alabama's aerospace and automotive boom creates strong demand for small college graduates. Companies like Hyundai, Airbus, Mercedes-Benz, and NASA Marshall actively recruit from technical programs. Marion Military Institute graduates average $59,644 in earnings, while Spring Hill College alumni earn $51,500, reflecting varied career paths in growing state industries.

Is it harder to get into Alabama's small private colleges than public ones?

Selectivity varies significantly. Tuskegee University accepts only 29.7% of applicants, making it highly competitive. However, Samford University admits 83.3% despite being private and expensive at $30,795. Most community colleges have open admission policies, focusing on serving local workforce development needs rather than academic selectivity.

Does attending a smaller college in Alabama limit career earning potential?

Small college graduates earn between $28,982 and $59,644, with several schools producing higher-earning graduates than state universities. Marion Military Institute leads at $59,644, followed by Birmingham-Southern at $59,481. Technical programs often connect directly to high-paying manufacturing and aerospace jobs throughout the state.

What role do historically black colleges play among Alabama's small institutions?

Historically black institutions like Tuskegee University and Talladega College maintain strong academic traditions while serving varied student populations. Tuskegee charges $32,977 but offers specialized programs in engineering and agriculture. These schools graduate students earning competitive salaries, with Tuskegee alumni averaging $49,641 annually in early career earnings.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.