Alabama offers exceptional educational opportunities from the well-known University of Alabama (UA) and Auburn University to the more than 100 other colleges in the state. And with an online program, you can attend from anywhere.
Earning a degree from an Alabama college online gives you the best of both worlds. You get access to world-class education with the flexibility to earn your degree from home.
Alabama has a growing job market, beautiful natural resources, growing cities, and a low cost of living. We'll walk you through some of the best colleges in Alabama.
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Online Colleges in Alabama
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#1 Best Online Colleges in Alabama
Jacksonville State University
- Jacksonville, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
At Jacksonville State University, the nonprofit school offers a comprehensive catalog that includes liberal arts and professional studies degrees. Online learning facilitates degree completion for busy students.
Degree-seekers complete a 120-credit bachelor’s program in an average of four years. Students complete a master’s program in about 24 months. Online programs offer live and recorded classes. Nontraditional students learn through a mix of classroom lectures and practical experience such as internships and practicums. Nontraditional learners submit assignments according to the class schedule.
Students can begin their education at the school with certificates or associate degrees. Distance learners receive support from online services such as tutoring and career advising. Enrollees pay competitive tuition rates for online degrees at Jacksonville State University. Prospective students can expect an average total aid of $8,257 per enrollee. The school has an acceptance rate of 55%.
Jacksonville State University holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an independent accrediting agency.
Percent Online Enrollment
70%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best Online Colleges in Alabama
University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Huntsville, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Nontraditional online learners at the University of Alabama in Huntsville earn the same high-quality degrees as on-campus students. Distance learners at the public school can pursue nine online degrees. Many of the university's online programs rank among the best in the nation. The school enrolls students in a variety of bachelor’s and graduate programs. Online learners enjoy benefits such as asynchronous learning.
The school's online programs offer benefits such as flexible learning and affordability. Degree-seekers studying online can also transfer credits or an associate degree to accelerate degree completion. Many institutions no longer require test scores. Applicants to the school can expect an 83% admission rate. The University of Alabama in Huntsville has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an independent accrediting agency.
University of Alabama in Huntsville Facts:
Institution Status: Public
Students Attending Classes Online: 3,306
Degrees Available Online: 9
Online Bachelor’s Degrees: 1
Tuition for Undergraduate Programs: $9,730 in-state; $22,126 out-of-state
Rate of Admission: 83%
Percent Online Enrollment
33%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Online Colleges in Alabama
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students can pursue liberal arts and professional studies programs at the University of Alabama, a nonprofit school. Online learners can conveniently earn accredited degrees.
Students typically complete a 120-credit bachelor's degree in four years. Learners can earn a master’s degree in about 24 months. Nontraditional learners use live and recorded classes to complete their program. Students earn degrees through a mix of classroom lectures and practical experiences such as internships and practicums. Distance learners complete assignments within a set time frame.
Distance learners can begin a bachelor’s degree at the school with a certificate or associate degree. Online learners enjoy online support services such as tutoring and career advising. Distance learners pay competitive tuition rates. Prospective students can expect an average total aid of $9,249 per enrollee. The school has an admission rate of 83%.
The school holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a third-party accrediting body.
Percent Online Enrollment
13%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Online Colleges in Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Alabama at Birmingham operates as a public institution. The accredited school delivers many of its programs both in person and virtually. In total, 13,001 students take online classes at the school. Remote learning is available not just for single classes, but also for entire bachelor's degrees.
Top-choice majors are available for learners at the school. Many degree-seekers choose to earn a degree online because of the flexibility of the virtual learning environment. The school designs many programs for working professionals seeking a degree for career advancement. The institution offers seven online bachelor's programs and eight online master's programs for distance learners to choose from.
Completing a bachelor's program usually takes about four years. Transferring credits from previous institutions makes it possible for students to earn a four-year bachelor's degree in less time. Prospective applicants can reach out to the school to learn more about admission requirements and application deadlines.
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Online Colleges in Alabama
Troy University
- Troy, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Troy University, a public school, enrolls students on campus in Alabama. The college delivers on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs. Learners choose from a catalog of 91 online degrees. The programs provide a rigorous liberal arts and professional education. Students can complete degrees in various disciplines.
Courses blend theoretical learning and practical experiences such as internships and fieldwork. Online learners may need to complete limited on-campus residencies. However, virtual learners complete most degrees online with no campus visits. Instructors bring the real world to the classroom. The school’s online services include academic tutoring. The rate of admission at Troy University is 88%. Students can pay for the affordable tuition with financial aid. Students pay the same tuition rates regardless of in-state or out-of-state status. Prospective students can expect an average total aid of $6,594 per enrollee.
Troy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an independent accrediting agency.
Percent Online Enrollment
56%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Price Check
Online universities in Alabama offer tuition and living costs below the national average, helping you save more on a degree.
Cost of Living in Alabama
The cost of living in Alabama varies by city and depending on whether you're in an urban or rural area. Alabama's average cost of living is $39,657 annually for a single individual.
Living expenses are higher in cities like Huntsville and Auburn and lower in smaller cities like Selma, Anniston, and Ozark.
You can lower your cost of living as a student by sharing an apartment with roommates or taking advantage of campus housing. Using student discounts, student transportation, and campus health services can also help reduce your total expenses.
Average Cost of Living in Alabama
| Cost of Living Category |
Average Price |
| Monthly Mortgage |
$1,242 |
| Monthly Rent |
$861 |
| Monthly Electricity Bill |
$148 |
| Monthly Grocery & Food Costs |
$272 |
| Annual Transportation Costs |
$5,477 |
| Annual Healthcare Costs |
$6,545 |
Source: SoFi
Alabama Scholarships
Alabama students can apply for scholarships to reduce total educational expenses and student debt. There are a number of scholarships you can use to fund online education as well.
- UA Online Scholarships: Students attending UA online can access more than 35 scholarships, ranging from program-specific awards to non-traditional students. Award amounts vary.
- Back to Bama Tuition Grant: This grant is available to students enrolled in the University of Alabama who are returning to complete their degree. The amount awarded is equal to the value of three hours in-state tuition.
- Bama Link: This scholarship is open to UA graduates or students referred by a UA online graduate newly admitted to a UA online degree program. This grant is equal to the cost of one 3-credit-hour course during your first semester of enrollment.
- Linly Heflin Scholarship: This scholarship is open to female Alabama residents attending or planning to attend a four-year Alabama university. You must have significant financial need and a sound academic record. Award amount is $10,000 per year.
- Colonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship: This scholarship awards a $1,500 scholarship to one exceptional female college student enrolled in a college in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, or Alabama. You must be pursuing a STEM degree.
The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in Alabama
Alabama's fastest-growing jobs include nurse practitioners, epidemiologists, cooks, and physical therapist assistants. Of course, careers in computer science, like information security analysts and computer numerically controlled tool programmers, are also growing.
If you're looking to enter a fast-growing career, there are at least ten careers with projected growth of over 30% in Alabama.
With some Alabama careers, you can also earn significantly more than the average annual wage for all careers of $50,620. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for epidemiologists was $78,520 in May 2022. The median wage for information security analysts was $112,000 the same year.
Fastest-Growing Careers in Alabama 2020-2030
| Job |
Projected Growth |
| Nurse Practitioners |
54% |
| Epidemiologists |
41% |
| Restaurant Cooks |
39% |
| Physical Therapist Assistants |
37% |
| Physician Assistants |
36% |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants |
36% |
| Electrical & Electronics Installers & Repairers, Transportation Equipment |
35% |
| Medical & Health Services Managers |
32% |
| Information Security Analysts |
32% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers |
31% |
Source: Alabama Department of Labor
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Alabama
What is the cheapest online college in Alabama?
The cheapest Alabama online college is the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The in-state tuition of $8,832 makes it significantly cheaper than other options in the state, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). That means you can earn a bachelor's degree for as little as $35,328 over four years.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Alabama?
Troy University admits 95% of its applicants, per NCES, making it the easiest college to get into in Alabama. You can choose from over 35 online degrees at Troy University, from a bachelor's in sports psychology to human services, economics, or business.
How much does online college cost in Alabama?
Online tuition prices are typically the same as attending on campus, but there are different financial aid opportunities and fees. Some universities will charge a discounted flat rate for online students, while others will charge the same tuition rates as on-campus students.
The average cost of tuition in Alabama is $10,617 for in-state students at public institutions and $17,354 for private universities, according to NCES.
Is online college free in Alabama?
Online college in Alabama isn't free, but you can reduce the costs significantly with scholarships and grants. You'll also benefit from tuition that's lower than the national average.
In addition, community colleges in Alabama offer low-cost options to earn a degree for as little as $5,048 annually for in-state students, per NCES.
Do I need to be a resident of Alabama to attend an online college in Alabama?
The great news is that you don't need to be a resident of Alabama to attend an Alabama online college. However, some colleges charge additional fees for out-of-state students, even for online degrees.
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