State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in Alabama
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, 65 Alabama colleges ranked by average net price, what students actually paid after grant and scholarship aid, not the published sticker price.
- $1,170
- Cheapest net price
- $15,258
- Alabama median
- 65
- Schools ranked
Data updated June 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
George C Wallace Community College-Dothan has the lowest average net price in Alabama at $1,170/year, and the state's median net price is 11% below the $17,083 national median across 4,942 schools.
- $1,170
- cheapest ranked net price
- $15,258
- Alabama median net price
- 36 public / 29 private
- schools in this ranking
- $13,625
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price is the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, not counting loans that must be repaid. A very low figure at a specialty or religious institution can reflect a narrow enrollment mix rather than typical affordability, check the sector label and enrollment before comparing.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at Samford University, where in-state published tuition of $40,150 falls to an average net price of $32,622 after aid, a $7,528 gap. This is the widest sticker-to-net-price gap among ranked Alabama schools, and a reminder that published tuition alone is a poor guide to what most admitted students actually pay.
Across all 65 ranked Alabama schools, 36 are public institutions and 29 are private (nonprofit or for-profit). Sector is shown next to every school below because a low sticker-adjacent price at a small religious, seminary, or specialty school can reflect an unusual enrollment mix rather than broad affordability, check enrollment and sector before drawing conclusions from rank alone.
Average net price also blends every income bracket into one figure, so a family's own bracket can land well above or below the number shown here. Federal reporting requires an institution to have enough surveyed aid recipients in a bracket before that bracket is published, so a very small school can show only a partial income-bracket breakdown even when its overall average net price is fully reported. Use the school's own profile page for the full income-bracket table before treating a single average as a personal cost estimate.
Alabama's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan Dothan, AL · Public | $1,170 97% of the leader · rank #1 | $1,199 | - | $28,431 | 4,010 |
| 2 | Reid State Technical College Evergreen, AL · Public | $1,739 95% of the leader · rank #2 | $735 | - | $28,287 | 576 |
| 3 | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville, AL · Public | $2,756 92% of the leader · rank #3 | $1,451 | $6,100 | $31,750 | 2,905 |
| 4 | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia, AL · Public | $2,792 92% of the leader · rank #4 | $2,054 | - | $30,010 | 2,130 |
| 5 | Northwest Shoals Community College Muscle Shoals, AL · Public | $2,838 92% of the leader · rank #5 | $1,356 | $10,000 | $31,469 | 4,136 |
| 6 | Snead State Community College Boaz, AL · Public | $3,249 91% of the leader · rank #6 | $2,256 | $9,000 | $32,858 | 2,767 |
| 7 | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL · Public | $3,515 90% of the leader · rank #7 | $3,438 | - | $29,795 | 4,728 |
| 8 | Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City, AL · Public | $4,244 88% of the leader · rank #8 | $3,275 | $10,500 | $32,196 | 1,712 |
| 9 | Bishop State Community College Mobile, AL · Public | $5,397 85% of the leader · rank #9 | $5,157 | - | $25,100 | 3,568 |
| 10 | Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL · Public | $5,937 83% of the leader · rank #10 | $5,204 | - | $31,129 | 3,946 |
| 11 | J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Huntsville, AL · Public | $6,005 83% of the leader · rank #11 | $5,916 | - | $27,211 | 1,011 |
| 12 | Southern Union State Community College Wadley, AL · Public | $6,142 82% of the leader · rank #12 | $3,543 | $11,000 | $32,844 | 4,673 |
| 13 | Lawson State Community College Birmingham, AL · Public | $6,275 82% of the leader · rank #13 | $6,102 | - | $27,733 | 3,153 |
| 14 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL · Public | $7,660 78% of the leader · rank #14 | $5,217 | $12,000 | $32,579 | 8,736 |
| 15 | H Councill Trenholm State Community College Montgomery, AL · Public | $8,325 76% of the leader · rank #15 | $7,847 | - | $28,657 | 1,907 |
| 16 | Marion Military Institute Marion, AL · Public | $8,627 75% of the leader · rank #16 | $7,471 | $9,250 | $45,043 | 308 |
| 17 | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL · Public | $9,086 74% of the leader · rank #17 | $6,836 | $9,689 | $35,502 | 8,839 |
| 18 | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma Selma, AL · Public | $9,272 74% of the leader · rank #18 | $8,948 | - | $25,214 | 1,935 |
| 19 | University Academy of Hair Design Tuscaloosa, AL · Private for-profit | $12,018 66% of the leader · rank #19 | $12,018 | $9,833 | $23,934 | 38 |
| 20 | University of North Alabama Florence, AL · Public | $12,170 65% of the leader · rank #20 | $9,741 | $22,077 | $38,295 | 10,059 |
| 21 | Enterprise State Community College Enterprise, AL · Public | $12,609 64% of the leader · rank #21 | $11,191 | $7,499 | $32,883 | 2,248 |
| 22 | University of West Alabama Livingston, AL · Public | $12,684 64% of the leader · rank #22 | $12,179 | $24,944 | $37,106 | 6,194 |
| 23 | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville, AL · Public | $13,170 62% of the leader · rank #23 | $11,719 | $11,000 | $36,129 | 6,023 |
| 24 | Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL · Public | $13,224 62% of the leader · rank #24 | $11,706 | $25,000 | $38,216 | 5,189 |
| 25 | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL · Public | $13,644 61% of the leader · rank #25 | $11,916 | $11,000 | $30,808 | 6,791 |
See all 65 ranked Alabama schools →
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Winonah's International School of Cosmetology Hoover, AL · Private for-profit | $14,060 60% of the leader · rank #26 | $14,175 | $9,500 | - | 110 |
| 27 | Miles College Fairfield, AL · Private nonprofit | $14,271 59% of the leader · rank #27 | $13,907 | $31,217 | $25,822 | 1,151 |
| 28 | Blue Cliff Career College Mobile, AL · Private for-profit | $14,275 59% of the leader · rank #28 | $12,573 | $7,917 | $20,654 | 41 |
| 29 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL · Public | $14,279 59% of the leader · rank #29 | $12,472 | $22,189 | $40,158 | 9,672 |
| 30 | New Beginning College of Cosmetology Albertville, AL · Private for-profit | $14,347 59% of the leader · rank #30 | $13,830 | $9,500 | $15,833 | 39 |
| 31 | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, AL · Public | $14,557 58% of the leader · rank #31 | $14,091 | - | $31,581 | 4,536 |
| 32 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL · Private for-profit | $14,580 58% of the leader · rank #32 | $12,913 | $21,339 | $55,140 | 18,487 |
| 33 | Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL · Private nonprofit | $15,258 56% of the leader · rank #33 | $14,804 | $29,067 | $29,790 | 779 |
| 34 | Heritage Christian University Florence, AL · Private nonprofit | $15,426 56% of the leader · rank #34 | - | - | - | 158 |
| 35 | Talladega College Talladega, AL · Private nonprofit | $15,560 56% of the leader · rank #35 | $12,835 | $28,500 | $22,613 | 837 |
| 36 | Central Alabama Community College Alexander City, AL · Public | $15,996 54% of the leader · rank #36 | $15,042 | $9,766 | $30,739 | 1,910 |
| 37 | The Salon Professional Academy-Huntsville Huntsville, AL · Private for-profit | $16,043 54% of the leader · rank #37 | $15,180 | - | $23,422 | 56 |
| 38 | Troy University Troy, AL · Public | $16,527 53% of the leader · rank #38 | $12,656 | $25,000 | $39,392 | 13,923 |
| 39 | Alabama A & M University Normal, AL · Public | $17,621 50% of the leader · rank #39 | $16,500 | $31,000 | $27,851 | 6,614 |
| 40 | University of South Alabama Mobile, AL · Public | $17,648 50% of the leader · rank #40 | $12,657 | $24,929 | $41,307 | 13,768 |
| 41 | University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL · Public | $17,683 49% of the leader · rank #41 | $14,471 | $24,000 | $35,406 | 2,942 |
| 42 | Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham Hoover, AL · Private for-profit | $18,104 48% of the leader · rank #42 | $15,899 | $9,833 | $21,295 | 128 |
| 43 | Fortis College-Dothan Dothan, AL · Private for-profit | $18,730 47% of the leader · rank #43 | $18,428 | $9,500 | $27,043 | 154 |
| 44 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL · Public | $18,749 46% of the leader · rank #44 | $16,172 | $22,300 | $46,572 | 21,160 |
| 45 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL · Public | $18,796 46% of the leader · rank #45 | $16,192 | $20,705 | $55,610 | 8,743 |
| 46 | Fortis College Mobile, AL · Private for-profit | $19,074 46% of the leader · rank #46 | $18,949 | $9,500 | $26,690 | 252 |
| 47 | Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville Huntsville, AL · Private for-profit | $19,201 45% of the leader · rank #47 | $18,928 | $9,500 | $26,485 | 109 |
| 48 | Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit | $19,651 44% of the leader · rank #48 | $19,913 | $21,500 | $35,295 | 448 |
| 49 | Alabama State University Montgomery, AL · Public | $20,435 42% of the leader · rank #49 | $19,711 | $31,000 | $27,453 | 3,870 |
| 50 | Spring Hill College Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit | $20,449 42% of the leader · rank #50 | $15,598 | $27,000 | $41,358 | 977 |
| 51 | Fortis College-Montgomery Montgomery, AL · Private for-profit | $21,006 40% of the leader · rank #51 | $20,901 | $9,500 | $26,690 | 305 |
| 52 | Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology Jackson, AL · Private for-profit | $21,996 37% of the leader · rank #52 | $21,654 | $16,500 | - | 102 |
| 53 | Faulkner University Montgomery, AL · Private nonprofit | $22,085 37% of the leader · rank #53 | $23,385 | $23,000 | $37,313 | 2,933 |
| 54 | University of Mobile Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit | $22,382 36% of the leader · rank #54 | $17,550 | $26,500 | $37,411 | 1,911 |
| 55 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public | $22,420 36% of the leader · rank #55 | $19,169 | $22,750 | $52,233 | 39,622 |
| 56 | Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL · Private nonprofit | $22,566 36% of the leader · rank #56 | $20,435 | $27,000 | $42,147 | 869 |
| 57 | United States Sports Academy Daphne, AL · Private nonprofit | $24,076 31% of the leader · rank #57 | $21,550 | - | $45,521 | 272 |
| 58 | Auburn University Auburn, AL · Public | $24,323 31% of the leader · rank #58 | $16,681 | $21,000 | $54,629 | 33,015 |
| 59 | Brown Beauty Barber School Bessemer, AL · Private for-profit | $24,717 29% of the leader · rank #59 | $24,717 | $9,833 | - | 54 |
| 60 | Oakwood University Huntsville, AL · Private nonprofit | $25,669 27% of the leader · rank #60 | $23,999 | $27,000 | $30,969 | 1,319 |
| 61 | Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham, AL · Private for-profit | $25,946 26% of the leader · rank #61 | $25,257 | $12,346 | $34,430 | 339 |
| 62 | Remington College-Mobile Campus Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit | $26,120 25% of the leader · rank #62 | $25,859 | $13,271 | $26,884 | 244 |
| 63 | South University-Montgomery Montgomery, AL · Private for-profit | $27,807 21% of the leader · rank #63 | $27,444 | $26,123 | $34,115 | 319 |
| 64 | Samford University Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit | $32,622 7% of the leader · rank #64 | $22,716 | $19,500 | $49,466 | 5,791 |
| 65 | Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL · Private nonprofit | $35,013 4% of the leader · rank #65 | $34,324 | $27,000 | $38,332 | 2,846 |
What this means for you
Use Alabama's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- George C Wallace Community College-Dothan reports the lowest average net price in Alabama, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View George C Wallace
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. Alabama safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.