2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in Alabama

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Samford University	4210	82.36	1,100 – 1,300	34926	49466	#1 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Samford University Birmingham, AL Founded in 1841, Samford University was originally was called Howard College and was converted to a military hospital during the Civil War. Today the school has a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio and 93% first year retention rate....Read more Undergraduates 4,210 Acceptance Rate 82.4% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $34,926 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,466
2	Auburn University	27907	45.92	1,250 – 1,400	25242	54629	#2 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Auburn University Auburn, AL Found in Auburn, Auburn University’s acceptance rate is 46% and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 78% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 27,907 Acceptance Rate 45.9% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $25,242 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,629
3	The University of Alabama	34389	76.65	1,180 – 1,400	22559	52233	#3 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Found in Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama accepts 77% of applicants and charges $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 76% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. 89% of students continued studying at The University of Alabama after completing their first year....Read more Undergraduates 34,389 Acceptance Rate 76.7% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $22,559 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,233
4	University of Alabama at Birmingham	11959	88.18	1,150 – 1,380	17997	46572	#4 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL Found in Birmingham, the University of Alabama at Birmingham accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 76% of students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham currently receive institutional......Read more Undergraduates 11,959 Acceptance Rate 88.2% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $17,997 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,572
5	University of Alabama in Huntsville	6800	68.57	1,190 – 1,410	19396	55610	#5 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Located in Huntsville, the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s acceptance rate is 69%. They request $30 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 91% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 6,800 Acceptance Rate 68.6% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $19,396 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,610
6	Spring Hill College	782	76.57	930 – 1,340	22858	41358	#6 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Spring Hill College Mobile, AL Found in Mobile, Spring Hill College’s acceptance rate is 77% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 97% of students at Spring Hill College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 782 Acceptance Rate 76.6% SAT Score 930 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $22,858 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,358
7	Tuskegee University	2659	48.68	970 – 1,210	24344	38332	#7 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL Tuskegee University, a historically black college or university, is the only HBCU to have a fully accredited College of Veterinary Medicine, and the school's most popular major is Veterinary Medicine. 61% of students receive institutional grant aid—$16,781 on average....Read more Undergraduates 2,659 Acceptance Rate 48.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,344 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,332
8	University of Montevallo	2642	53.85	1,010 – 1,240	17890	35406	#8 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Located in Montevallo, the University of Montevallo’s acceptance rate is 54% and requires $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 2,642 Acceptance Rate 53.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $17,890 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,406
9	University of North Alabama	7662	87.31	1,040 – 1,240	11745	38295	#9 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of North Alabama Florence, AL Based in Florence, the University of North Alabama accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 90% of students at the University of North Alabama will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 7,662 Acceptance Rate 87.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $11,745 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,295
10	University of Mobile	1308	77.89	1,110 – 1,310	22382	37411	#10 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of Mobile Mobile, AL Based in Mobile, the University of Mobile accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 65% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 1,308 Acceptance Rate 77.9% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,382 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,411
11	University of South Alabama	9241	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	16074	41307	#11 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Located in Mobile, the University of South Alabama’s acceptance rate is 71% and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 93% of students attending the University of South Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 9,241 Acceptance Rate 71.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,074 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,307
12	Huntingdon College	880	69.49	1,040 – 1,220	23055	42147	#12 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Huntingdon College accepts 69% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 99% of students attending Huntingdon College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 880 Acceptance Rate 69.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $23,055 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,147
13	Oakwood University	1177	45.22	880 – 1,130	26730	30969	#13 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Oakwood University Huntsville, AL Sitting on 1,185 acres in Huntsville, Oakwood University is a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution. The school, whose motto is "God First," has an 71% first year retention rate. General Studies, and Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist are the most popular majors. Undergraduates 1,177 Acceptance Rate 45.2% SAT Score 880 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $26,730 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,969
14	Jacksonville State University	8663	77.69	940 – 1,200	14221	40158	#14 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL Found in Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University’s acceptance rate is 78%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Jacksonville State University will receive institutional grant aid. At Jacksonville State University, there is a 65% first year......Read more Undergraduates 8,663 Acceptance Rate 77.7% SAT Score 940 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $14,221 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,158
15	Troy University	10222	96.04	970 – 1,210	12842	39392	#15 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Troy University Troy, AL Found in Troy, Troy University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 64% of students at Troy University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and 24% of students will graduate in......Read more Undergraduates 10,222 Acceptance Rate 96.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,842 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,392
16	University of West Alabama	2983	42.65	890 – 1,090	13954	37106	#16 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama University of West Alabama Livingston, AL Found in Livingston, the University of West Alabama accepted 43% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 69% of students at the University of West Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending......Read more Undergraduates 2,983 Acceptance Rate 42.7% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $13,954 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,106
17	Auburn University at Montgomery	3325	91.57	980 – 1,190	13945	38216	#17 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Auburn University at Montgomery accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 96% of students at Auburn University at Montgomery currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention......Read more Undergraduates 3,325 Acceptance Rate 91.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $13,945 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,216
18	Faulkner University	1758	73.07	970 – 1,080	19920	37313	#18 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Faulkner University Montgomery, AL Found in Montgomery, Faulkner University accepts 73% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 88% of students at Faulkner University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 1,758 Acceptance Rate 73.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $19,920 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,313
19	Alabama A & M University	6370	57.95	810 – 1,020	17152	27851	#19 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Alabama A & M University Normal, AL Based in Normal, Alabama A & M University accepted 58% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 67% of students attending Alabama A & M University will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 70%....Read more Undergraduates 6,370 Acceptance Rate 58.0% SAT Score 810 – 1,020 Avg. Net Price $17,152 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,851
20	Alabama State University	3521	97.55	850 – 1,040	13138	27453	#20 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Alabama State University Montgomery, AL Found in Montgomery, Alabama State University accepts 98% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $65 for graduate applications. About 57% of students attending Alabama State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 70% and its four year......Read more Undergraduates 3,521 Acceptance Rate 97.6% SAT Score 850 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $13,138 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,453
21	Talladega College	701	85.42	850 – 1,090	1267	22613	#21 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Talladega College Talladega, AL Based in Talladega, Talladega College accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 86% of students attending Talladega College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year......Read more Undergraduates 701 Acceptance Rate 85.4% SAT Score 850 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $1,267 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,613
22	Amridge University	243	71.43	--	0	30377	#22 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Amridge University Montgomery, AL Undergraduates 243 Acceptance Rate 71.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,377
23	Columbia Southern University	12213	0	--	13117	55140	#23 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL Undergraduates 12,213 Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,140
24	Stillman College	731	62.25	800 – 930	15152	29790	#24 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL Located in Tuscaloosa, Stillman College’s acceptance rate is 62%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 45% of students attending Stillman College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 731 Acceptance Rate 62.3% SAT Score 800 – 930 Avg. Net Price $15,152 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,790
25	Miles College	1180	0	--	11064	25822	#25 2026 Best Colleges in Alabama Miles College Fairfield, AL Undergraduates 1,180 Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,822