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# Hidden Gem Colleges in Alabama (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

This page lists 8 colleges and universities in Alabama. This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out.

The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [The University of Alabama](/school/the-university-of-alabama/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports $70,439 in median earnings for its graduates four years after completing. The list includes 8 public and 0 private nonprofit schools.

100% of the listed schools are public. The University of Alabama ranks 233rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and posts the highest six-year completion rate on the page at 73%.

Auburn University at Montgomery carries the lowest average net price at $13,224.

## The ranked list

8 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $70,439 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
|  | [The University of Alabama](/school/the-university-of-alabama/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports [median earnings of $70,439](/school/the-university-of-alabama/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 2 | University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL | $81,045 | $18,796 | $16,192 | 68.6% |
|  | With an [average net price of $18,796,](/school/university-of-alabama-in-huntsville/cost/) [University of Alabama in Huntsville](/school/university-of-alabama-in-huntsville/majors/) posts a six-year completion rate of 64%. |
| 3 | University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL | $64,969 | $18,749 | $16,172 | 88.2% |
|  | [University of Alabama at Birmingham](/school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/majors/) [admits 88% of applicants](/school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/admissions/) and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $64,969 four years after completing. |
| 4 | Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL | $55,318 | $14,279 | $12,472 | 77.7% |
|  | [Jacksonville State University](/school/jacksonville-state-university/majors/) ranks 4th on this page and carries an [average net price of $12,472](/school/jacksonville-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 5 | Alabama A & M University · Normal, AL | $54,018 | $17,621 | $16,500 | 58.0% |
|  | [Alabama A & M University](/school/alabama-a-m-university/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 24%](/school/alabama-a-m-university/outcomes/) alongside median earnings of $54,018 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL | $62,459 | $17,648 | $12,657 | 71.0% |
|  | [University of South Alabama](/school/university-of-south-alabama/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,657](/school/university-of-south-alabama/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 71%. |
| 7 | Troy University · Troy, AL | $55,048 | $16,527 | $12,656 | 96.0% |
|  | Troy University admits 96% of applicants and ranks 402nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 8 | Auburn University at Montgomery · Montgomery, AL | $55,551 | $13,224 | $11,706 | 91.6% |
|  | Auburn University at Montgomery posts median earnings of $55,551 for its graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 33%. |

## How this list is ordered

This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out. The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#hidden-gem). The earnings figures that accompany the score are medians for federally aided completers of the institution across all fields, measured four years after completing, among those working and not enrolled. The list does not adjust for graduate school enrollment or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. All 8 schools on the page are 8 public institutions.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in Alabama](/rankings/best-colleges-in-alabama/)
-   [Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-in-alabama/)