Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Lequita Westbrooks
By
Updated on April 14, 2024
Edited by
Check out this guide to the best online colleges in Alabama, and learn about tuition fees and the highest-paying jobs in the state.

Alabama — a state of historical significance and diverse landscapes — offers a canvas of natural beauty, from mountains to beaches. It’s also home to 62 prestigious colleges and universities and has one of the nation’s most thriving business environments.

Attending a college in Alabama can equip you with the skills necessary to thrive in one of the state’s top five industries: aerospace, automotive, technology, and medicine.

Even if you live outside of the state, you can still pursue a degree from one of the best online colleges in Alabama from the convenience of your home.

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Best Online Colleges in Alabama

#1 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

The University of Alabama

  • Location-markerTuscaloosa, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,780
  • Out-of-state$30,250
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,780
  • Out-of-state$30,250
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate80%
  • Students Enrolled37,840
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment90%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham

  • Location-markerBirmingham, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,568
  • Out-of-state$20,400
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,100
  • Out-of-state$19,188
  • Retention Rate86%
  • Acceptance Rate81%
  • Students Enrolled22,563
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment65%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Auburn University

  • Location-markerAuburn, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,080
  • Out-of-state$30,240
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,080
  • Out-of-state$30,240
  • Retention Rate92%
  • Acceptance Rate85%
  • Students Enrolled30,737
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Athens State University

  • Location-markerAthens, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,180
  • Out-of-state$12,360
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,936
  • Out-of-state$12,000
  • Retention Rate0%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled2,867
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment93%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Jacksonville State University

  • Location-markerJacksonville, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,720
  • Out-of-state$19,440
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,600
  • Out-of-state$19,200
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled9,238
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment82%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

University of Alabama in Huntsville

  • Location-markerHuntsville, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,730
  • Out-of-state$22,126
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,632
  • Out-of-state$24,430
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate77%
  • Students Enrolled9,999
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment96%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

University of North Alabama

  • Location-markerFlorence, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,600
  • Out-of-state$19,200
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,660
  • Out-of-state$13,320
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate83%
  • Students Enrolled8,086
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment80%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

University of South Alabama

  • Location-markerMobile, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,896
  • Out-of-state$15,792
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,956
  • Out-of-state$15,912
  • Retention Rate76%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled14,224
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment61%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Troy University

  • Location-markerTroy, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,800
  • Out-of-state$15,600
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,650
  • Out-of-state$15,300
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled16,497
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment62%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

University of Mobile

  • Location-markerMobile, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$22,700
  • Out-of-state$22,700
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,260
  • Out-of-state$11,260
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate67%
  • Students Enrolled2,016
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment47%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Heritage Christian University

  • Location-markerFlorence, AL
  • 4 year
  • Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,152
  • Out-of-state$10,152
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,482
  • Out-of-state$4,482
  • Retention Rate100%
  • Acceptance Rate67%
  • Students Enrolled110
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment79%
  • AccreditationNo
#12 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Samford University

  • Location-markerBirmingham, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$33,248
  • Out-of-state$33,248
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$20,587
  • Out-of-state$20,587
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate84%
  • Students Enrolled5,729
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment37%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

University of West Alabama

  • Location-markerLivingston, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,100
  • Out-of-state$18,200
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,678
  • Out-of-state$13,356
  • Retention Rate63%
  • Acceptance Rate93%
  • Students Enrolled5,734
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment82%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Amridge University

  • Location-markerMontgomery, AL
  • 4 year
  • Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,000
  • Out-of-state$9,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,700
  • Out-of-state$11,700
  • Retention Rate50%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled775
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment0%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Spring Hill College

  • Location-markerMobile, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$39,336
  • Out-of-state$39,336
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,182
  • Out-of-state$7,182
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate54%
  • Students Enrolled1,191
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment77%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Faulkner University

  • Location-markerMontgomery, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$21,000
  • Out-of-state$21,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,350
  • Out-of-state$10,350
  • Retention Rate60%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled2,961
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment58%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Talladega College

  • Location-markerTalladega, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$12,130
  • Out-of-state$12,130
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$16,000
  • Out-of-state$16,000
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled1,156
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment94%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Oakwood University

  • Location-markerHuntsville, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$18,974
  • Out-of-state$18,974
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,680
  • Out-of-state$13,680
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate89%
  • Students Enrolled1,374
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment81%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Judson College

  • Location-markerMarion, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$17,240
  • Out-of-state$17,240
  • Retention Rate63%
  • Acceptance Rate56%
  • Students Enrolled229
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment31%
  • AccreditationNo
#20 Best Online Colleges in Alabama

Alabama A&M University

  • Location-markerNormal, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,610
  • Out-of-state$17,220
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,128
  • Out-of-state$20,160
  • Retention Rate54%
  • Acceptance Rate90%
  • Students Enrolled5,977
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment96%
  • AccreditationYes

badge-check How We Rank Schools

At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2023. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.

How Much Does Online College Cost in Alabama?

College costs vary significantly by institution type and where you live. Students who attend a public college pay much less than those who attend a private college.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in-state tuition and fees for a student living in Alabama versus an out-of-state student were around $16,700 less per year in 2022.

Online colleges often prove more cost-effective than on-campus programs due to reduced overhead and infrastructure expenses. Additionally, some schools may waive out-of-state charges for their online programs, increasing affordability and accessibility for students from different locations.

Cost of College in Alabama (2021-2022)
Institution TypeAverage Tuition & Required Fees
Public Four-Year (In-State)$10,737
Public Four-Year (Out-of-State)$27,145
Private Four-Year$17,168
Source: NCES

Highest-Paying Jobs in Alabama

The May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report highlights many high-paying careers for Alabama professionals with a bachelor’s degree. Professionals in the best-paying fields specialize in overseeing companies, directing financial activities, managing others, and selling scientific and technological products.

The table below features some of the highest-paying jobs in Alabama in 2023.

Highest-Paying Jobs in Alabama
CareerMean Annual Salary (May 2023)
Chief Executives$221,030
Natural Science Managers$123,040
Architectural and Engineering Managers$157,230
Sales Engineers$126,270
Financial Managers$149,750
Source: BLS

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Alabama

What is the cheapest online college in Alabama?

The University of North Alabama is the cheapest online college in Alabama, according to NCES. The average full-time student paid an annual net price of $9,837 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Your total cost of attendance will ultimately depend on factors such as the type of institution you attend and financial aid.

Is it worth it to live and study in Alabama?

It can be worth it to live and study in Alabama, depending on your personal and academic goals. Alabama has a lot to offer in terms of its rich history and culture, and thriving economy. Students living in the state benefit from attending prestigious colleges and universities at lower-than-average tuition rates.

Do you have to live in Alabama to attend online college there?

You do not have to live in Alabama to attend an online college in the state. However, students who live in the state pay the most affordable tuition rates. Nonresident students can ask prospective schools if they waive out-of-state tuition for online students.

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