Best Colleges in Alabama

A private liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Birmingham-Southern College serves around 1,200 students annually. BSC enrolls only undergraduate students, offering five types of bachelor's degrees: arts, fine arts, music education, musical arts, and science. Degree candidates can choose from more than 50 majors and minors, including subjects such as applied computer science, Asian studies, environmental studies, musical theater, and sociology. BSC offers a selection of online courses but no fully online degrees.

BSC supports students through a variety of service-learning opportunities, primarily offered through the school's Krulak Institute for Leadership, Experiential Learning, and Civic Engagement. This institute connects students to internships, study abroad opportunities, community service, and leadership building programs. Students draw connections between academic study, professional practice, and community engagement. These programs encourage students to develop their sense of civics as well as a strong resume.

A private, Baptist-affiliated college, the University of Mobile enrolls around 1,600 students annually across programs in the arts and sciences, healthcare, business, Christian studies, and education. Students can pursue academic and professional programs at all levels, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. UMobile's degree offerings encompass subjects as diverse as criminology, music performance, kinesiology, marriage and family counseling, and Christian leadership.

UMobile emphasizes the intersection of education and professional practice through its "prac-academics" program, which gives students the opportunity to apply their learning to various field experiences. The program enables students to earn academic credit for various experiences related to their field of study. For example, music majors might tour with a performing ensemble, while education majors might teach at local schools. Students can work with the UMobile advisors to determine effective field placement activities.

A Jesuit-affiliated liberal arts college based in Mobile, Spring Hill College is the oldest institution of higher education in Alabama, with a history dating back to 1830. The school currently serves around 1,400 students annually and offers a wide selection of bachelor's programs and a smaller selection of graduate programs. SHC offers degrees in fields including natural sciences, humanities, business, and social sciences. Students can also choose from less common concentration options, such as actuarial math and marine biology.

SHC also hosts an international campus in Bologna, Italy, which offers students the chance to participate in study abroad opportunities that last anywhere from a few weeks to an entire school year. The study abroad program builds language skills, introduces students to international culture, and explores human rights and other key global issues. Students commonly travel across Europe and North Africa as part of their experience.

Based in Livingston, the University of West Alabama serves more than 5,000 students annually through campus-based and online courses. This public university oversees 90 different fields of study through five academic colleges: business and technology, education, liberal arts, natural sciences and mathematics, and nursing. Students can pursue associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, including options such as public safety, library media, athletic training, conservation and field biology, and quantitative finance.

UWA's Student Support Services office provides a variety of resources specifically for first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. Designed to support students throughout their academic journey, the program offers interconnected services including one-on-one counseling, comprehensive academic advising, peer tutoring, study strategies development, and career counseling. The Student Support Services office also hosts workshops and information sessions that help students adjust to the college experience.

Other students at UWA receive individualized advising from dedicated academic advisors and faculty members.

One of Alabama's major public schools, Troy University serves more than 18,000 students annually though four campus locations and a popular online branch. The college operates a main campus in Troy along with satellite locations in Dothan, Montgomery, and Phenix City. Students can choose from dozens of academic programs and professional certificates offered through five academic colleges: arts and sciences, communications and fine arts, education, health and human services, and business.

As a major provider of online education in Alabama, Troy offers more than 70 fully online degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Distance education offerings encompass a variety of professional fields, such as global business management, teacher leadership, sport management, criminal justice, and nursing practice. Most programs use a primarily asynchronous format, which allows students to complete coursework at their convenience. However, some courses may include live video conferencing sessions.

A historically black university that is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Oakwood University serves a small student body of about 1,800 learners. The school hosts bachelor's and master's programs grouped under five distinct schools and colleges: arts and sciences, business, education and social sciences, nursing and health professions, and religion. Students can choose from dozens of academic and professional programs, such as biology, English and foreign languages, business administration, elementary education, and pastoral studies.

Located in Huntsville, Oakwood University offers significant support to all students, including a four-year plan that emphasizes undergraduate success. First-year students develop a career map related to their professional aspirations before shadowing a professional in their field of interest during their second year at school. During their first and third years, students receive employment readiness training, preparing them for interviews and job searches. The school also holds regular career and job fairs for all academic disciplines.

Part of the Auburn University System, Auburn University at Montgomery enrolls around 5,200 students annually across more than 90 fields of study at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. AUM's academic programs include business, liberal arts and social sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, and general sciences. The school also hosts several hybrid programs and 18 fully online degrees, including tracks in homeland security, instructional technology, nursing, and geographic information systems.

The school's Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching encourages student and faculty connections, while the Connected Reading program requires all incoming first-year students to read a selected book that reflects AUM values and encourages campus-wide conversations and a spirit of learning outside the classroom. AUM also encourages innovation and excellence in teaching through its Faculty Development Institute.

A Christian school affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Amridge University serves around 700 students from its campus in Montgomery. Though small in enrollment size, the school offers a wide assortment of associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, including 35 fully online programs. Amridge maintains four academic colleges: business and leadership, general studies, education and human services, and theology. Some of the school's degree offerings include human development and family therapy.

Amridge students benefit from several helpful resources, including a dedicated Career Services Center and a laptop program. The school's Career Services Center assists with job connections, internships, resume building, and interview coaching to support students before and after graduation. Amridge's laptop program enables students to purchase a new laptop at a greatly reduced price, complete with the Microsoft Office software suite and a comprehensive three-year service agreement.

Based in Macon County, Tuskegee University ranks as one of the top historically black universities in the country and one of the top schools in the South. TU enrolls around 3,100 students annually and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields including architecture, visual arts, aerospace science engineering, food and nutritional sciences, and supply chain management. TU also offers a wide selection of online courses and two fully online graduate degrees in environmental science and environmental management.

TU provides ample support for on-campus and online students, including academic advising, library resources, and tutoring services. Advisors assist students with enrollment, course selection, and finding additional school services. The school's libraries offer information resources and research support, with online assistance also available for distance students. Additionally, tutoring is available in most academic subjects -- including math, science, and writing -- through TU's Center of Academic Excellence and Innovative Learning.

A Christian school affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Faulkner University serves around 3,500 students from its main campus in Montgomery, as well as at satellite campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile. The school offers a diverse selection of degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, as well as academic, professional, and religious programs. Distance learners can also complete many programs entirely online, such as biblical studies, sports psychology, criminal justice, and counseling.

Faulkner University provides several dedicated support services for students, including counseling, student success services, and career services. Student success services help with degree planning and course counseling, and learners can use career services to find internships and get career planning aid, including resume reviews and interview training. The school's counseling center offers individualized, confidential counseling for physical and emotional wellbeing.

Founded in 1867, Talladega College is one of the oldest historically black colleges in Alabama. Today, the school enrolls around 2,500 students annually and offers undergraduate programs through four academic divisions: business and administration, humanities and fine arts, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences and education. Talladega hosts one online graduate program: a master of computer information systems. This flexible, asynchronous degree takes about 18 months to earn.

Talladega also offers an accelerated bachelor's program in organizational management, which is designed for working adult students looking to quickly complete a degree. Using a combination of online and evening courses, this program explores general principles of organizational management applicable to many businesses, government organizations, and nonprofits. Program applicants must be at least 23 years old and possess at least 45 transferable college credits earned with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

A Methodist institution based in Montgomery, Huntingdon College serves a student body of approximately 1,100 learners. The school's small size leads to individualized attention for students, with an average class size of just 17 pupils and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-1. The school maintains a core curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and offers undergraduate degrees in a diverse array of subjects, including applied mathematics, athletic training, ministry and theology, music education, and veterinary medicine.

Huntingdon's educational philosophy extends beyond the classroom, and most students participate in experiential learning activities such as study abroad trips, internships, and service learning. Short-term travel/study trips typically occurring during a student's senior year, with most travel expenses covered by the school's general tuition rate. Past study abroad destinations have included Iceland, Scotland, Australia, Kenya, and China. Students can also participate in the Irish-American Scholars Program, which lasts between a semester and a year.

A Baptist-affiliated women's college based in Marion, Judson College is one of the country's oldest higher education institutions for women, with a history that dates to 1838. This small school enrolls approximately 250 students annually and offers undergraduate programs in five major areas: humanities and fine arts, professional studies, sciences, social sciences, and pro-professional programs. Judson's pre-professional degrees prepare students for various career paths in fields such as dentistry, law, medicine, and veterinary practice.

Judson also offers several distance education programs, including business administration, English, music, psychology, and religious studies. Many courses use a self-paced format that enables students to complete assignments within a designated time period -- usually 2-4 months. These self-paced courses typically use a learning contract that determines the maximum length of study, though students have the option to complete courses faster. Other online courses follow a more traditional schedule with weekly assignments.

A historically black university based in Montgomery, Alabama State University serves around 5,400 students annually across more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school's academic offerings encompass liberal arts, business, education, health sciences, science and mathematics, and visual and performance arts. The school also oversees a continuing education department that offers professional training and community classes. ASU hosts several online graduate programs, including library media and applied technology.

ASU offers a variety of study abroad opportunities for undergraduates, with options that last from a week to an entire school year. The school maintains partnerships with several colleges and universities throughout the U.S. territories, Canada, Europe, and Asia, including the University of North British Columbia, the University of Guam, and the University of Stirling in Scotland. ASU also offers an intensive, week-long business program in South Korea.

A historically black, Presbyterian-affiliated, liberal arts college based in Tuscaloosa, Stillman College serves around 650 students annually. The school offers bachelor's degrees through three academic divisions: arts and sciences, business, and education. Though small in terms of its enrollment, Stillman hosts academic and professional programs in many subjects, including psychology, supply chain management, elementary education, and visual arts. The college also offers a specialized certificate in theology, which students can earn in 5-12 months.

For working professionals interested in earning a degree but unable to commit to full-time on-campus courses, Stillman offers an accelerated management program, which uses a mixture of online and evening campus courses. Designed for adult students, this program requires applicants to possess at least 60 transferable college credits -- the equivalent of an associate degree -- with at least six credits in economics and three credits in marketing. Students who lack these prerequisites can complete Stillman's campus-based, pre-business administration program.