2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Alabama
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Alabama? Our ranking highlights 79 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree evaluated 18 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Alabama
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Columbia Southern University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Alabama. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school based in Orange Beach, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,447. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Columbia Southern University report
A rank of #2 makes University Of West Alabama one of the best values in Alabama. Based in Livingston, AL, University Of West Alabama is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. University Of West Alabama alumni report median earnings of $44,232 a decade after entry. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 43% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of West Alabama profile
You'll get strong value at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,162. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,501. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
You'll get strong value at University Of North Alabama, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Florence, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,415 ten years out. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of North Alabama
Auburn University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Alabama. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,337 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. More on Auburn University
University Of South Alabama landed the #6 spot for value in Alabama this year. This public school is set in Mobile, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. University Of South Alabama Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,513 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,379. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants. More on University Of South Alabama
The University Of Alabama ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. The University Of Alabama is a public school based in Tuscaloosa, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. The University Of Alabama Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,496 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,221 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #8 spot for value in Alabama this year. Located in Huntsville, AL, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. University Of Alabama At Huntsville Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,797 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,767. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Troy University placed #9 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Alabama. Located in Troy, AL, Troy University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,062. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Troy University
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Auburn University At Montgomery is a public school based in Montgomery, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $29,746. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,391. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%. Read the full report on Auburn University At Montgomery
Jacksonville State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,751. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Jacksonville State University report
University Of Montevallo placed #12 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Alabama. Based in Montevallo, AL, University Of Montevallo is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. University Of Montevallo Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,096 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,957 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 54% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Montevallo report
Alabama State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Montgomery, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, with out-of-state students paying around $19,576. Students borrow a median of $33,709 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $34,502 ten years out. Set against $33,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama State University has an acceptance rate of 98%. See the full Alabama State University profile
Samford University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $21,039. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,469 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read more about Samford University
Faulkner University landed the #15 spot for value in Alabama this year. Faulkner University is a private not-for-profit school based in Montgomery, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $23,920. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $29,942. Faulkner University alumni report median earnings of $43,457 a decade after entry. Set against $29,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Faulkner University admits about 73% of applicants. See the full Faulkner University profile
University Of Mobile placed #16 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Alabama. University Of Mobile is a private not-for-profit school based in Mobile, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,910. Graduates carry a median of $30,127 in student loans. University Of Mobile alumni report median earnings of $43,611 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Mobile report
Alabama A And M University landed the #17 spot for value in Alabama this year. Based in Normal, AL, Alabama A And M University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. Alabama A And M University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $31,896 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,628. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants. Get the full Alabama A And M University report
Tuskegee University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tuskegee, AL, Tuskegee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,386. Graduates carry a median of $29,356 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,641. Set against $29,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tuskegee University has an acceptance rate of 49%. See the full Tuskegee University profile
Stillman College
Stillman College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full Stillman College profile
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus placed #20 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Alabama. More on Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
South University Montgomery offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. See the full South University Montgomery profile
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. More on H Councill Trenholm State Technical College
Birmingham Southern College landed the #23 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read more about Birmingham Southern College
Shelton State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Shelton State Community College profile
Huntingdon College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Huntingdon College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Alabama
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #26 spot for value in Alabama this year. Get the full John C Calhoun State Community College report
Jersey College Dothan came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Jersey College Dothan profile
Central Alabama Community College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Central Alabama Community College report
The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville report
J F Ingram State Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about J F Ingram State Technical College
Huntsville Bible College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Huntsville Bible College report
Oakwood University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on Oakwood University
Snead State Community College landed the #33 spot for value in Alabama this year. More on Snead State Community College
University Academy Of Hair Design landed the #34 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read the full report on University Academy Of Hair Design
Bevill State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on Bevill State Community College
Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology
Southern Union State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Southern Union State Community College
Enterprise State Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Enterprise State Community College profile
Miles College
Miles College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Miles College profile
Athens State University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Athens State University profile
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
University Of Alabama System Office ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on University Of Alabama System Office
Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham report
Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound landed the #44 spot for value in Alabama this year. More on Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound
Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway
Chattahoochee Valley Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Herzing University Birmingham placed #47 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Alabama. Get the full Herzing University Birmingham report
Blue Cliff Career College landed the #48 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Blue Cliff Career College
Remington College Mobile Campus landed the #49 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Remington College Mobile Campus
J F Drake State Community And Technical College landed the #50 spot for value in Alabama this year. Read the full report on J F Drake State Community And Technical College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 18 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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