Best Colleges in Alabama (2019-2020)

The schools listed below rank in the best colleges in Alabama. For this ranking, we consider any type/level of colleges including national universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialized schools. In Alabama, there are 90 colleges and universities - by school type, 41 public and 49 private schools, and by school level, 40 4 years (or high), 33 2-4 years, and 17 less than 2 years schools.

For academic year 2019-2020, Samford University ranks first in the best Alabama colleges ranking and Auburn University and The University of Alabama followed it. By school type, there are 8 public and 2 schools in the best Alabama colleges.

The average acceptance rate of the best Alabama colleges 70.10% where University of Montevallo has the tightest rate with 48.48%. Samford University has the highest tuition & fees with $32,850 where the average amount is $24,088 of the schools. Auburn University has the highest submitted SAT scores with 1,230 where the average SAT scores is 1,120 of the schools. The average student population is 14,294 and the average student to faculty ratio is 16.70 to 1 over the best Alabama colleges.

The ranking is based on CollegeEvaluator's ranking methodology by considering academic, financial, admissions, learning environment, and more perspectives. [read more about the ranking methodology]

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1Samford University 85.95

Samford University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Birmingham, AL with total 5,619 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,171
Acceptance Rate	82.08%
Tuition & Fees	$32,850
Student Population	5,619 (3,535 Undergraduate)
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2Auburn University 85.77

Auburn University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Auburn, AL with total 30,440 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,230
Acceptance Rate	75.43%
Tuition & Fees	$11,492 (in-state) / $31,124 (out-of-state)
Student Population	30,440 (24,628 Undergraduate)
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3The University of Alabama 85.42

The University of Alabama is a public, 4 or more years school located in Tuscaloosa, AL with total 38,390 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,170
Acceptance Rate	59.06%
Tuition & Fees	$10,780 (in-state) / $30,250 (out-of-state)
Student Population	38,390 (33,028 Undergraduate)
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4University of Alabama at Birmingham 85.24

University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, 4 or more years school located in Birmingham, AL with total 21,923 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,110
Acceptance Rate	92.11%
Tuition & Fees	$8,568 (in-state) / $20,400 (out-of-state)
Student Population	21,923 (13,836 Undergraduate)
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51University of Alabama in Huntsville 85.14

University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public, 4 or more years school located in Huntsville, AL with total 9,736 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,195
Acceptance Rate	80.87%
Tuition & Fees	$11,122 (in-state) / $23,518 (out-of-state)
Student Population	9,736 (7,671 Undergraduate)
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61Jacksonville State University 84.87

Jacksonville State University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Jacksonville, AL with total 8,479 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	920
Acceptance Rate	54.30%
Tuition & Fees	$11,120 (in-state) / $20,840 (out-of-state)
Student Population	8,479 (7,321 Undergraduate)
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75University of Montevallo 84.43

University of Montevallo is a public, 4 or more years school located in Montevallo, AL with total 2,612 students.

Highest Degree	Post-master's certificate
Acceptance Rate	48.48%
Tuition & Fees	$13,708 (in-state) / $26,728 (out-of-state)
Student Population	2,612 (2,281 Undergraduate)
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83Troy University 84.19

Troy University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Troy, AL with total 16,981 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,053
Acceptance Rate	87.67%
Tuition & Fees	$8,908 (in-state) / $16,708 (out-of-state)
Student Population	16,981 (13,452 Undergraduate)
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94Birmingham Southern College 84.14

Birmingham Southern College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Birmingham, AL with total 1,268 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,130
Acceptance Rate	56.66%
Tuition & Fees	$18,238
Student Population	1,268 (All Undergraduate)
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10University of North Alabama 84.14

University of North Alabama is a public, 4 or more years school located in Florence, AL with total 7,488 students.

Highest Degree	Post-master's certificate
SAT Scores	1,100
Acceptance Rate	64.34%
Tuition & Fees	$10,620 (in-state) / $20,220 (out-of-state)
Student Population	7,488 (6,153 Undergraduate)
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Best Colleges in Alabama (2019-2020) Comparison

Rank	Name	Acceptance Rate	Undergraduate Tuition & Fees	Graduate Tuition & Fees	SAT Scores	Population	Student : Faculty
1	Samford University Birmingham, AL	82.08%	$32,850	$18,364	1,171	5,619	12 to 1
2	Auburn University Auburn, AL	75.43%	$31,124 ($11,492)	$31,160 ($11,504)	1,230	30,440	19 to 1
3	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL	59.06%	$30,250 ($10,780)	$30,250 ($10,780)	1,170	38,390	22 to 1
4	University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL	92.11%	$20,400 ($8,568)	$19,188 ($8,100)	1,110	21,923	19 to 1
5 1	University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL	80.87%	$23,518 ($11,122)	$25,256 ($11,458)	1,195	9,736	17 to 1
6 1	Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL	54.30%	$20,840 ($11,120)	$20,200 ($10,600)	920	8,479	18 to 1
7 5	University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL	48.48%	$26,728 ($13,708)	$23,868 ($11,916)	-	2,612	13 to 1
8 3	Troy University Troy, AL	87.67%	$16,708 ($8,908)	$16,156 ($8,506)	1,053	16,981	16 to 1
9 4	Birmingham Southern College Birmingham, AL	56.66%	$18,238	-	1,130	1,268	12 to 1
10	University of North Alabama Florence, AL	64.34%	$20,220 ($10,620)	$13,860 ($7,200)	1,100	7,488	19 to 1