The Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama That Actually Graduate Their Students
University of North Alabama offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Alabama, graduating 54% of students within six years at $7,140 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Alabama’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Alabama | Florence | 54% | $7,140 | $13,860 | N/A |
| 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | 62% | $8,424 | $19,962 | 27 |
| 3 | Auburn University | Auburn | 79% | $12,170 | $32,942 | 27 |
| 4 | The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | 74% | $11,790 | $32,150 | 28 |
| 5 | University of South Alabama | Mobile | 53% | $8,624 | $17,048 | 22 |
| 6 | University of West Alabama | Livingston | 38% | $6,868 | $13,546 | 19 |
| 7 | Troy University | Troy | 47% | $8,550 | $17,100 | 20 |
| 8 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | 62% | $11,686 | $25,484 | 26 |
| 9 | Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | 51% | $10,840 | $20,680 | 20 |
| 10 | Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery | 36% | $8,578 | $18,316 | 20 |
1. University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama
University of North Alabama graduates 54% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $7,140 per year. Out-of-state students pay $13,860.
2. University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,424 per year. Out-of-state students pay $19,962. Median ACT: 27.
3. Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
Auburn University graduates 79% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,170 per year. Out-of-state students pay $32,942. Median ACT: 27.
4. The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The University of Alabama graduates 74% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,790 per year. Out-of-state students pay $32,150. Median ACT: 28.
5. University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
University of South Alabama graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,624 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,048. Median ACT: 22.
6. University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama
University of West Alabama graduates 38% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,868 per year. Out-of-state students pay $13,546. Median ACT: 19.
7. Troy University
Troy, Alabama
Troy University graduates 47% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,550 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,100. Median ACT: 20.
8. University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
University of Alabama in Huntsville graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,686 per year. Out-of-state students pay $25,484. Median ACT: 26.
9. Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama
Jacksonville State University graduates 51% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,840 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,680. Median ACT: 20.
10. Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Auburn University at Montgomery graduates 36% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,578 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,316. Median ACT: 20.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Alabama by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 14 qualifying public institutions in Alabama.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
