Value Analysis · Alabama
Best Value Degrees in Alabama (2026)
Top 100 of 365 programs in Alabama · Updated 2026
The best college programs in Alabama, ranked by overall value. We scored 365 programs across Alabama schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $63,531/yr in graduate earnings.
Why a Tuscaloosa Degree Leads to Top-Tier Tech Pay
The University of Alabama’s #1 spot is powered by elite earnings of $83,651 per year. As the state's flagship university, "The Capstone" attracts national employers who recruit for high-paying roles in major tech hubs like Atlanta, Nashville, and beyond. This powerful brand recognition and vast alumni network mean graduates aren't limited to the local market, allowing them to secure salaries that far surpass those from other in-state programs.
The Public University Lock: Why State Schools Own the Value Rankings
Public universities hold a staggering 17 of the top 20 spots for a simple reason: they dominate both sides of the value equation. State subsidies keep their four-year tuition costs (averaging around $40k-$50k) far below private competitors. Simultaneously, their status as major research institutions with powerful brands like Auburn and The University of Alabama ensures their graduates land high-paying jobs, creating a potent combination of affordability and strong outcomes that is nearly impossible to beat.
The ROI Outlier: How a For-Profit Scored a 34.6x Return
Seeing a for-profit like Columbia Southern University at #13 is a shock, but the reason is purely mathematical. Its ranking isn't driven by high earnings—its $53,644 salary is modest. The key is its rock-bottom $23,232 four-year tuition, which generates a massive 34.6x return on investment. This makes it a compelling value proposition for students seeking the absolute cheapest path to a computer science credential, even if the ultimate salary potential is lower than at a flagship public university.
Decoding the AI Risk: A Tale of Two Fields
The high AI risk scores mean very different things for the top two fields. For Computer Science (59% risk), AI is automating routine coding, raising the bar for entry-level jobs; your value will come from architecting complex systems, not just writing simple code. For Nursing (43% risk), AI is an assistant, not a replacement. It will automate paperwork and data analysis, freeing you from the computer to spend more time on the irreplaceable human skills of patient care and critical thinking.
Programs in AL
365
Avg Earnings (Top 100)
$63,531/yr
Avg DW Score
74/100
#1 Program
Information Sciences
The University of Alabama
Top Institutions
Leading the field for Best Degrees in Alabama
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.
The Ranking Matrix
Top Programs in Alabama
Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.
Sort by
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Information Sciences
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
88
81–89
|
$83,651/yr | Very High | 20.4x |
| 2 |
Information Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
87
81–88
|
$69,633/yr | Very High | 27.8x |
| 3 |
Information Sciences
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
86
80–87
|
$72,440/yr | Very High | 19.8x |
| 4 |
Nursing
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
85
83–85
|
$65,173/yr | High | 22.8x |
| 5 |
Nursing
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
84
81–83
|
$73,000/yr | High | 15.9x |
| 6 |
Nursing
Auburn University at Montgomery · Montgomery, AL
|
84
82–84
|
$69,625/yr | High | 19.8x |
| 7 |
Information Sciences
Alabama A & M University · Normal, AL
|
83
77–84
|
$63,900/yr | Very High | 20.3x |
| 8 |
Information Sciences
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
83
77–85
|
$75,159/yr | Very High | 16.3x |
| 9 |
Computer Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
83
77–85
|
$80,067/yr | Very High | 18.7x |
| 10 |
Nursing
South University-Montgomery · Montgomery, AL
|
82
79–82
|
$77,635/yr | High | 11.4x |
| 11 |
Nursing
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
82
80–82
|
$69,447/yr | High | 17.3x |
| 12 |
Nursing
Troy University · Troy, AL
|
82
81–82
|
$66,344/yr | High | 17.9x |
| 13 |
Information Sciences
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
82
76–83
|
$53,644/yr | Very High | 34.6x |
| 14 |
Management Science
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
81
77–82
|
$60,832/yr | Very High | 15.7x |
| 15 |
Nursing
Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL
|
81
79–81
|
$68,896/yr | High | 14.4x |
| 16 |
Computer Science
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
81
73–82
|
$55,256/yr | Very High | 20.9x |
| 17 |
Information Sciences
Strayer University-Alabama · Birmingham, AL
|
81
75–82
|
$67,315/yr | Very High | 14.0x |
| 18 |
Finance
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
80
78–82
|
$55,580/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 19 |
Finance
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
80
77–81
|
$55,875/yr | Very High | 15.6x |
| 20 |
Nursing
University of North Alabama · Florence, AL
|
80
79–80
|
$61,137/yr | High | 15.3x |
| 21 |
Nursing
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
79
77–78
|
$63,036/yr | High | 14.1x |
| 22 |
Nursing
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
79
77–79
|
$67,120/yr | High | 13.2x |
| 23 |
Accounting
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
79
76–81
|
$60,381/yr | Very High | 14.9x |
| 24 |
Information Sciences
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
79
74–80
|
$47,253/yr | Very High | 23.4x |
| 25 |
Information Science
Strayer University-Alabama · Birmingham, AL
|
79
73–80
|
$71,167/yr | Very High | 14.7x |
| 26 |
Finance
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
78
76–79
|
$50,939/yr | Very High | 19.2x |
| 27 |
Accounting
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
78
75–80
|
$53,452/yr | Very High | 15.7x |
| 28 |
Information Sciences
Troy University · Troy, AL
|
77
71–78
|
$58,407/yr | Very High | 16.0x |
| 29 |
Business Administration
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
77
71–78
|
$58,468/yr | High | 26.4x |
| 30 |
Information Science
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
76
70–77
|
$56,344/yr | Very High | 18.4x |
| 31 |
Electrical Engineering
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
76
72–78
|
$81,499/yr | Very High | 26.5x |
| 32 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
75
72–77
|
$76,151/yr | Very High | 27.2x |
| 33 |
Accounting
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
75
72–77
|
$51,640/yr | Very High | 17.0x |
| 34 |
Electrical Engineering
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
75
72–77
|
$79,504/yr | Very High | 21.8x |
| 35 |
Chemical Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
75
72–76
|
$82,217/yr | High | 20.5x |
| 36 |
Business Administration
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
75
69–76
|
$56,948/yr | High | 14.3x |
| 37 |
Information Sciences
Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL
|
75
69–76
|
$62,795/yr | Very High | 12.2x |
| 38 |
Quality Control & Safety Technology
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
75
73–75
|
$78,532/yr | High | 38.5x |
| 39 |
Fire Protection
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
75
70–75
|
$82,718/yr | Moderate | 36.8x |
| 40 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
75
70–76
|
$51,692/yr | High | 25.0x |
| 41 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
74
70–76
|
$81,516/yr | Very High | 19.1x |
| 42 |
Aerospace Engineering
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
74
71–74
|
$73,887/yr | High | 18.7x |
| 43 |
Management Information Systems
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
74
68–76
|
$74,078/yr | Very High | 22.2x |
| 44 |
Nursing
Tuskegee University · Tuskegee, AL
|
74
71–74
|
$78,874/yr | High | 6.5x |
| 45 |
Electrical Engineering
Alabama A & M University · Normal, AL
|
73
70–74
|
$72,241/yr | Very High | 21.5x |
| 46 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
73
70–75
|
$73,984/yr | Very High | 18.2x |
| 47 |
Accounting
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
73
71–75
|
$45,751/yr | Very High | 15.1x |
| 48 |
Mechanical Engineering
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
73
70–75
|
$75,238/yr | Very High | 18.3x |
| 49 |
Electrical Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
73
69–75
|
$78,680/yr | Very High | 17.8x |
| 50 |
Mechanical Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
73
70–74
|
$74,005/yr | Very High | 17.3x |
| 51 |
IT Management
Herzing University-Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
73
67–75
|
$57,229/yr | Very High | 12.1x |
| 52 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
73
70–74
|
$67,175/yr | Very High | 22.1x |
| 53 |
Criminal Justice
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
73
65–73
|
$60,461/yr | Moderate | 25.5x |
| 54 |
Mechanical Engineering
Alabama A & M University · Normal, AL
|
72
70–74
|
$71,954/yr | Very High | 19.7x |
| 55 |
Civil Engineering
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
72
71–73
|
$62,283/yr | High | 22.9x |
| 56 |
Computer Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
72
65–73
|
$83,909/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 57 |
Chemical Engineering
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
72
70–73
|
$69,809/yr | High | 19.4x |
| 58 |
Civil Engineering
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
72
70–74
|
$70,619/yr | High | 17.2x |
| 59 |
Business Economics
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
72
69–73
|
$55,550/yr | Very High | 20.7x |
| 60 |
Aerospace Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
72
71–73
|
$68,607/yr | High | 18.1x |
| 61 |
Architectural Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
72
69–73
|
$77,115/yr | High | 18.9x |
| 62 |
Industrial Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
72
70–72
|
$71,063/yr | High | 18.2x |
| 63 |
Chemical Engineering
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
72
70–73
|
$71,116/yr | High | 21.7x |
| 64 |
IT Management
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
72
66–74
|
$61,894/yr | Very High | 25.6x |
| 65 |
Materials Engineering
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
71
69–72
|
$69,498/yr | High | 23.9x |
| 66 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
71
69–72
|
$58,191/yr | Very High | 23.9x |
| 67 |
Business Administration
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
71
65–71
|
$48,668/yr | High | 13.5x |
| 68 |
Computer Programming
Herzing University-Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
71
64–73
|
$50,242/yr | Very High | 14.4x |
| 69 |
Information Sciences
University of North Alabama · Florence, AL
|
71
65–72
|
$68,996/yr | Very High | 13.4x |
| 70 |
Civil Engineering
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
71
70–73
|
$59,547/yr | High | 21.5x |
| 71 |
Business Administration
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
70
64–71
|
$45,761/yr | High | 16.8x |
| 72 |
Civil Engineering
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
70
68–72
|
$68,291/yr | High | 15.3x |
| 73 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
70
65–71
|
$45,291/yr | High | 13.1x |
| 74 |
Management Science
Auburn University · Auburn, AL
|
70
66–71
|
$64,841/yr | Very High | 11.9x |
| 75 |
Business Administration
Herzing University-Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
69
63–70
|
$52,469/yr | High | 11.3x |
| 76 |
Accounting
Herzing University-Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
69
66–71
|
$49,538/yr | Very High | 10.7x |
| 77 |
Finance
Samford University · Birmingham, AL
|
69
66–70
|
$53,059/yr | Very High | 4.6x |
| 78 |
Finance
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
69
70–70
|
$41,657/yr | Very High | 15.8x |
| 79 |
Business
Strayer University-Alabama · Birmingham, AL
|
69
64–70
|
$55,431/yr | High | 10.6x |
| 80 |
Allied Health Professions
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
69
68–69
|
$83,927/yr | Moderate | 35.1x |
| 81 |
Human Resources
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
69
63–70
|
$53,843/yr | High | 24.6x |
| 82 |
Marketing
The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
|
68
62–69
|
$48,879/yr | Very High | 15.9x |
| 83 |
Chemistry
University of North Alabama · Florence, AL
|
68
64–68
|
$49,497/yr | High | 14.9x |
| 84 |
Accounting
University of North Alabama · Florence, AL
|
68
66–70
|
$47,022/yr | Very High | 11.8x |
| 85 |
Finance
University of North Alabama · Florence, AL
|
68
68–69
|
$43,512/yr | Very High | 12.5x |
| 86 |
Nursing
Samford University · Birmingham, AL
|
68
66–68
|
$64,226/yr | High | 3.7x |
| 87 |
Allied Health Professions
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
68
68–68
|
$59,611/yr | Moderate | 15.6x |
| 88 |
Accounting
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
68
66–70
|
$48,795/yr | Very High | 13.2x |
| 89 |
Business Administration
Troy University · Troy, AL
|
68
62–68
|
$45,260/yr | High | 14.3x |
| 90 |
Accounting
Strayer University-Alabama · Birmingham, AL
|
68
65–70
|
$52,373/yr | Very High | 9.7x |
| 91 |
Management Information Systems
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
67
60–69
|
$57,778/yr | Very High | 20.2x |
| 92 |
Finance
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
67
64–68
|
$56,584/yr | Very High | 11.0x |
| 93 |
Criminal Justice
Herzing University-Birmingham · Birmingham, AL
|
67
60–68
|
$67,229/yr | Moderate | 10.9x |
| 94 |
Business
Troy University · Troy, AL
|
67
62–67
|
$45,195/yr | High | 13.8x |
| 95 |
Natural Resources & Conservation Research
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
67
63–68
|
$74,546/yr | High | 31.1x |
| 96 |
Management Information Systems
University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL
|
66
59–68
|
$52,769/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 97 |
Information Sciences
Athens State University · Athens, AL
|
66
59–67
|
$78,435/yr | Very High | — |
| 98 |
Computer Engineering
University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL
|
66
60–67
|
$59,626/yr | Very High | 14.4x |
| 99 |
Accounting
Troy University · Troy, AL
|
66
65–68
|
$44,005/yr | Very High | 13.6x |
| 100 |
Electrical Engineering
Tuskegee University · Tuskegee, AL
|
66
62–67
|
$76,638/yr | Very High | 8.9x |
FAQ
Frequently asked
What is the best college program in Alabama?
By DegreeOutlook Score, Information Sciences at The University of Alabama ranks #1 in Alabama with a score of 88/100 and graduate earnings of $83,651/yr.
How many college programs are in Alabama?
Our database includes 365 programs across Alabama colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.