Best Online Colleges in Alabama
Alabama is home to a diverse higher-education landscape that includes 23 two-year technical and community colleges and 37 public, private, and nonprofit four-year institutions. The state also supports a strong network of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including both two-year and four-year schools that play a critical role in access, affordability, and student success.
Based on our latest outcome-focused rankings, Alabama online colleges show a wide range of value profiles. Institutions such as Talladega College and Stillman College stand out for combining low average net prices with manageable student debt, while large public universities like the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham demonstrate strong retention, graduation rates, and long-term earnings potential. Regional public universities, including the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, continue to offer accessible admissions and competitive post-graduation earnings relative to cost.
Alabama online colleges and universities are accredited by recognized regional and national accrediting bodies, ensuring academic quality and institutional accountability. These include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which accredits the majority of institutions in the region, along with organizations such as the American Council on Private School Accreditation, the Association of Biblical Higher Education, the Council of Occupational Education, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Online Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Best Online Colleges in Alabama — By Category
- Best overall (highest-ranked): Talladega College (#1 overall)
- Best student outcomes (top retention + graduation combo): Auburn University (Retention: 93.19% | Graduation: 79.21%)
- Cheapest in-state tuition: University of Alabama at Birmingham ($8,832 in-state tuition & fees)
- Lowest average net price: University of North Alabama ($11,024 average net price)
- Best value public option (top-ranked public university): Auburn University (#2) and The University of Alabama (#3)
What Counts as an Online College?
For this ranking, an “online college” refers to an Alabama institution that offers degree programs students can complete through distance education. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) defines distance education as instruction delivered using technology to students who are separated from the instructor, with regular and substantive interaction occurring either synchronously or asynchronously.
Online programs generally fall into two formats: fully online (coursework delivered online, sometimes with limited in-person requirements depending on the program) and hybrid (a mix of online and on-campus learning). Fully online programs can be a strong fit for working adults and students who need maximum scheduling flexibility, while hybrid programs can be ideal for learners who want some face-to-face instruction or local campus resources.
We prioritize schools that offer accredited online degrees. Accreditation is a key quality signal and can affect credit transfer, employer recognition, and eligibility for federal financial aid.
Rankings Methodology
Our team publishes an easy-to-understand ranking of the best online colleges in Alabama for students who want the flexibility of earning a degree online from established, accredited institutions.
These rankings focus on colleges located in Alabama that offer accredited online degree programs and are evaluated based on affordability, student success, and long-term outcomes.
Schools are ranked using four equally weighted factors:
- Affordability: Average net price after financial aid
- Student Retention: First-year retention rate
- Graduation Rate: Percentage of students who complete their degree
- Post-Graduation Earnings: Median earnings six years after enrollment
Each factor is weighted equally. Schools receive an overall score by combining performance across all four metrics, with 100 representing the highest possible score. A rank of #1 reflects the strongest overall performance.
When schools have similar overall scores, average net price is used as a tiebreaker — lower-cost schools rank higher.
All data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and related federal education datasets and reflects the most recent data available at the time of ranking.
Best Online Colleges in Alabama [2026 Rankings]
Talladega College
Location: Talladega, AL
Admission Rate: 99.25%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 782
Average Cost of Attendance: $23,441
In-state Tuition and Fees: $15,650
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $15,650
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $15,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,229
Auburn University
Location: Auburn, AL
Admission Rate: 50.47%
Average SAT Score: 1318
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,732
Average Cost of Attendance: $34,402
In-state Tuition and Fees: $12,536
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $33,944
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $17,750
Median Earnings (10 years): $65,337
The University of Alabama
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Admission Rate: 75.82%
Average SAT Score: 1287
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,323
Average Cost of Attendance: $32,024
In-state Tuition and Fees: $11,900
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $33,200
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $17,986
Median Earnings (10 years): $59,221
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Location: Birmingham, AL
Admission Rate: 88.42%
Average SAT Score: 1251
Undergraduate Enrollment: 12,118
Average Cost of Attendance: $27,826
In-state Tuition and Fees: $8,832
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $21,864
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $15,832
Median Earnings (10 years): $54,501
Samford University
Location: Birmingham, AL
Admission Rate: 82.23%
Average SAT Score: 1203
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,828
Average Cost of Attendance: $53,934
In-state Tuition and Fees: $38,144
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $38,144
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $15,750
Median Earnings (10 years): $58,469
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Location: Huntsville, AL
Admission Rate: 74.25%
Average SAT Score: 1321
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,650
Average Cost of Attendance: $27,098
In-state Tuition and Fees: $11,770
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $24,662
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $13,905
Median Earnings (10 years): $61,767
University of North Alabama
Location: Florence, AL
Admission Rate: 96.48%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,468
Average Cost of Attendance: $22,086
In-state Tuition and Fees: $11,990
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $22,190
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $15,781
Median Earnings (10 years): $45,415
University of South Alabama
Location: Mobile, AL
Admission Rate: 65.49%
Average SAT Score: 1119
Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,540
Average Cost of Attendance: $22,070
In-state Tuition and Fees: $9,676
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $18,652
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $17,750
Median Earnings (10 years): $49,379
Troy University
Location: Troy, AL
Admission Rate: 92.61%
Average SAT Score: 1086
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,089
Average Cost of Attendance: $21,816
In-state Tuition and Fees: $9,792
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $19,584
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $15,985
Median Earnings (10 years): $42,062
University of Mobile
Location: Mobile, AL
Admission Rate: 72.51%
Average SAT Score: 1220
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,079
Average Cost of Attendance: $38,731
In-state Tuition and Fees: $26,120
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $26,120
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $43,611
How to Choose an Online College in Alabama
Choosing the right online college in Alabama starts with understanding how programs differ beyond just tuition price. The best option for you will balance affordability, flexibility, academic quality, and long-term outcomes.
Verify accreditation.
Always confirm that the school is regionally accredited. Accreditation affects whether credits transfer, whether employers recognize the degree, and whether you qualify for federal financial aid. Most public universities in Alabama are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Confirm the online format.
Online programs vary widely. Some are fully asynchronous, allowing you to complete coursework on your own schedule, while others require live classes at set times. Working adults and part-time students often benefit from asynchronous formats, while some learners prefer live interaction.
Compare net price — not just tuition.
Sticker tuition doesn’t tell the full cost story. Net price reflects grants and scholarships and is often a better indicator of what students actually pay. Two schools with similar tuition can have very different net prices after financial aid is applied.
Review transfer credit policies.
If you have prior college credits, military training, or relevant work experience, transfer and prior learning credit policies can significantly reduce both cost and time to graduation. Schools with flexible transfer policies are often better value options.
Look at student support services.
Strong online programs offer tutoring, academic advising, career services, and technical support specifically designed for distance learners. These services can have a major impact on retention and graduation rates.
Check student outcomes.
Retention and graduation rates provide insight into student satisfaction and success. Higher rates often indicate stronger support systems and more effective online program design.
Confirm your major is available online.
Not all degrees offered on campus are available online. Before applying, make sure the program you want — and any required concentrations — can be completed primarily or fully online.
Yes. Many colleges and universities in Alabama offer accredited online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Availability varies by school and major, so it’s best to confirm the exact program format (fully online vs hybrid) on the school’s website.
Alabama offers a free tuition program for senior citizens (persons aged 60 and over) who meet admission requirements and attend public two-year postsecondary institutions in Alabama. Contact the financial aid office at any public two-year postsecondary educational institution in Alabama for details.
Based on the in-state tuition figures listed on this page, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has the lowest in-state tuition and fees among the ranked schools at $8,832. Keep in mind that the “cheapest” option can vary by student once scholarships and grants are applied, so compare net price too.
Start with accreditation, then confirm whether the program is fully online or hybrid (and whether courses are asynchronous or live). Compare net price (not just tuition), review transfer credit policies, and look for strong online student support. Retention and graduation rates can also help indicate student success.
In most cases, yes — especially when the school is accredited and the program is offered by a recognized college or university. Employers typically care more about the institution’s accreditation, your skills, and your experience than whether classes were taken online.