Colleges in Alabama
Why go to College in Alabama?
Even though most people know Alabama for its world-renowned barbeque or its countless college football championship titles, there is much more to love about the state. Colleges and universities in Alabama are home to some of the best on-campus and online programs in the country, with every major, minor, and degree level. Many of these Alabama schools also boast gorgeous campuses where students can enjoy the state's mild weather.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Alabama?
On-Campus
On-campus colleges in Alabama are ideal for students seeking a traditional college experience. These colleges generally offer on-campus housing, such as dorm rooms, suites, and apartments. Alabama's college campuses are known for their historic charm and sprawling green spaces. Students attending on-campus colleges have opportunities to participate in campus-based clubs, intramural sports, and organizations and to attend sporting events. On-campus programs provide an immersive experience for students who are able to live on campus or commute from home.
Online Programs
Students looking for flexibility benefit from online or distance programs. Online colleges in Alabama are just as rigorous and comprehensive as their on-campus counterparts, without requiring students to attend classes on a physical campus. Online degree programs are offered in a number of formats, including asynchronously, in which students are not required to log on or complete work at specific times. These programs allow students to complete coursework on their own time, from wherever they are.
Online colleges in Alabama are great options for both in-state and out-of-state students. Although some schools have certain residency requirements, these programs can largely be completed from anywhere in the world. However, even though an online program eliminates the need to visit campus, online students may choose to take advantage of the same services and resources available to on-campus students.
Hybrid Programs
Some students choose to enroll in on-campus programs but take some courses online. Others are primarily online students who take some on-campus courses. This mixed approach is called a hybrid program, and some online schools in Alabama allow, or require, students to pursue this path.
Some online degree programs require a short residency, usually a few days to a few weeks, for which even out-of-state students are required to visit the school's home campus in Alabama. Similarly, there may be exclusively online elements to traditional on-campus degree programs.
Popular Degree Programs in Alabama
The degrees conferred in different states tend to reflect the state's major industries. However, because there is not a degree in football, the most popular degree programs in Alabama are school counseling and business administration, according to Business Insider . Both of these popular degrees are offered by many online colleges in Alabama.
School counseling A degree in school counseling prepares students to work as counselors in a variety of educational settings. Generally, students who earn a bachelor's degree in this field go on to earn a master's degree.
Business administration This degree provides a broad look at the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship. This major is especially popular in Alabama, likely because of growing business opportunities in the state's major cities.
BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN ALABAMA FOR 2019
In this section, you will find a list of the best online schools in Alabama. This resource is a great place to begin your search for the best school for your educational needs. If you're interested in a school on this list, visit the school's website for specific information about majors, tuition costs, and online programs.
Top 15 Online Colleges in Alabama for 2019
Admissions Rate
54%
Graduation Rate
67%
Online Enrollment
9%
Retention Rate
86%
Default Rate
7%
The University of Alabama is a large, land-grant university and the flagship institution in the state. The school boasts many programs that aren't found elsewhere in the state, on topics such as metallurgical engineering. The university is also home to several online programs on topics such as engineering, business, and law. Online classes at Alabama are taught asynchronously via Blackboard, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace.
All distance learners at Alabama pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residence. Alabama is part of the SEC Academic Initiative, which advances the academic reputation of SEC universities by providing increased study abroad opportunities and promoting collaboration between schools. Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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BEST ONLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN ALABAMA FOR 2019
Top 6 Online Community Colleges in Alabama for 2019
Graduation Rate
34%
Online Enrollment
23%
Retention Rate
62%
Located in Boaz, Snead is an online community college in Alabama that serves a range of students through online, blended, and campus-based coursework. Students seeking the flexibility of asynchronous courses can take advantage of fully online programs in areas of business, elementary education, pre-nursing, and child development. SSCC participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, meaning learners from all 50 states can enroll. Prospective students must submit a completed application, proof of identification, Accuplacer assessment results, and transcripts for admission consideration. Out-of-state students pay more than Alabama residents, but the per-credit total is still less than most four-year institutions.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Alabama
According to data from the U.S. Census and the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, education trends in Alabama are similar to national averages. The percentage of adults over 25 with a graduate degree is lower than the national average, but the state's percentage of tax revenue allocated to higher education is above average. The table below compares educational trends in Alabama to the national averages.
| Alabama | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $5,774 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 9.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 14.8% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 8.7% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Alabama
Even though some online colleges in Alabama offer lower tuition and fees than their on-campus counterparts, researching tuition prices is an important step in finding the right school for you. Tuition prices vary not only by school, but also by year, so it's important to find updated, current information. The cost to attend online schools in Alabama may not include fees associated with on-campus programs, but there may be distance learning fees to consider.
Tuition Prices
Tuition and fees include the cost of courses and university-related fees, such as technology fees. These prices do not include a number of other costs students incur, such as books, transportation, rent, and board. Average tuition prices in Alabama are a little above the national average, but they are still lower than tuition costs in many other states.
Financial Aid
Every student should take full advantage of financial aid. Financial aid comes in a few different forms, many of which are readily available to all applicants. Funds awarded in the form of scholarships do not have to be paid back. On the other hand, student loans are borrowed funds that do eventually have to be paid back, often with interest. Therefore, scholarships and grants are the best types of funds to finance your education.
To be considered for financial aid, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This form must be renewed and resubmitted each year of enrollment, even for students attending online colleges in Alabama.
Cost for Online Programs in Alabama
Online schools in Alabama require students to complete and submit the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid. Online students have the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus students, including scholarships, grants, and student loans. However, students enrolled in online colleges in Alabama tend to save money on costs such as transportation, childcare, and campus-specific fees. Online programs typically carry similar tuition rates to their on-campus counterparts, but non-tuition savings make online programs more cost-effective.
Cost of Living by Region
Alabama's cost of living varies greatly and can impact both the cost of your education and your future career. Rent and home prices, in particular, have the largest impact on budgets and should be considered when selecting a school. The table below compares the median rent and home prices of two major cities in Alabama with major cities in surrounding states.
Scholarships for Alabama College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships can be used for any type of program, whether it is online or in-person. However, if you are awarded a scholarship or plan to apply for one, verify requirements with the organization awarding the scholarship, as some have additional stipulations. For example, even if a scholarship may be used toward online colleges in Alabama, it may only be awarded to students in a particular major or field.
Employment Outlook in Alabama
Employment opportunities in Alabama are varied and vast, with an unemployment rate slightly lower than the national average. Graduates seeking employment in areas such as administrative support, sales, and production will find ample job opportunities in Alabama, as these industries are thriving in the state. People with military ties will also find plenty of opportunities in Alabama, as one of the state's largest employers is a U.S. military base. The second-largest employer in the state is the University of Alabama, which is promising for students seeking work-study opportunities.
| Alabama | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $42,510 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Alabama
Top Industries in Alabama
Administrative support: The administrative support industry encompasses positions such as office assistant, medical assistant, supervisor, accounting clerk, payroll clerk, human resources assistant, and bank teller..
Sales: Salespeople work in capacities such as cashier, telemarketer, promoter, insurance sales agent, sales representative, and financial services sales agent.
Production: The production industry comprises workers who produce or make things, including those in the food industry, as well as welders, assemblers, machinists, tailors, textile workers, and craftsmen.
Top Employers in Alabama
Redstone Arsenal: 60,000 employees
University of Alabama: 16,000 employees
UAB Hospital: 8,184 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in Alabama
Accreditation ensures that schools and programs meet certain educational standards, as defined by accrediting agencies. Attending an accredited school is especially important, as coursework and degrees earned from unaccredited institutions often cannot be transferred, and students at unaccredited institutions are often ineligible for financial aid and scholarships.
Regional accreditation is the most popular form of accreditation. While some schools may be nationally accredited, regional accreditation is more prominent and often more stringent in its standards and expectations. Online programs are accredited by the same agencies as traditional, on-campus programs, but they may also adhere to the standards of online-specific agencies. Also, individual majors may be accredited by field-specific accrediting agencies. When selecting an online school in Alabama, make sure it is accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation .
Resources for Students in Alabama
Alabama Commission on HIgher Education (ACHE): The ACHE administers state-level student financial aid and works to provide quality, accessible education in Alabama. The ACHE offers scholarship resources and databases to help students find schools and programs in the state.
Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education (ADPE): The ADPE supervises all educational programs in the Alabama Community College System. The organization's website provides a comprehensive list of Alabama community colleges, a job board, and information on adult and technical education opportunities.
Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL): The NAAL coordinates academic library resources among institutions, with the goal of strengthening education and research for higher education institutions in Alabama. The NAAL also ensures access to historical resources in the state.
Alabama Higher Education Partnership (AHEP): The AHEP is a coalition of 15 public universities in Alabama whose collective goal is to impart the value and importance of higher education. This group advocates for higher education members and partners, including current and prospective students, as well as staff and faculty.
Alabama Possible: This statewide nonprofit organization advocates for those dealing with poverty by making education more accessible. Alabama Possible offers volunteer opportunities and need- and merit-based grants.
To determine the best online colleges in Alabama, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the top 15 online colleges in Alabama. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.