Top Alabama Colleges and Universities

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Alabama is located in the southeastern U.S. and has a rich cultural and educational history. Among its prestigious institutions for higher learning are the five that are described below.
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Top Five Schools in Alabama

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, is the flagship institution of the University of Alabama System. It is the largest university in the state, with 19,471 undergraduate students and currently holds the 91st spot on the list of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report. It offers double-major programs, such as marine science with biology, chemistry or geology, leading to a bachelor's degree. This innovative program provides students with an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary studies at the undergraduate level. The main campus of the University of Alabama (or 'Bama as it is colloquially called) is located in Tuscaloosa, in the north central part of the state.

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama lies along the eastern border of the state and is home to the distinguished Auburn University. Founded in 1856, Auburn University eventually became the first coeducational institution in the state of Alabama. Today, the university enrolls 19,367 undergraduates and provides students with the opportunity to choose from a multitude of academic majors that include recognized programs in engineering, business and architecture. Auburn is ranked #96 by U.S. News and World Report. One particularly distinguishing characteristic of Auburn is that it is one of only 13 American universities designated as a land-, sea- and space-grant research center.

Samford University

Samford University was founded in 1841 as a private, Baptist-affiliated university. It is located in Homewood, which is a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. There are 2,882 undergraduate students enrolled at Samford, most of whom are originally from the state of Alabama or its nearest neighboring states. Students choose from a variety of degrees in business, applied sciences and divinity. Samford ranks #118, according to U.S. News and World Report's list of America's Best Colleges.

Troy University

Founded in 1887 as a teacher's college, Troy University has continued to change and grow throughout its history. The campus is located in southeastern Alabama, but has satellite campuses in 17 states and 11 other countries. All of the campuses combined have 20,069 undergraduate students engaged in various courses of study, and Troy has many courses offered in conjunction with the American Armed Forces. The university's commitment to distance learning makes it an ideal choice for Alabama residents who do not live near a major research university.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, founded in 1936, is one of the three institutions in the University of Alabama's system. The university is highly renowned for its natural sciences and medical research programs and is one of the Southeast's larger research institutions. The University of Alabama currently has 11,284 undergraduate students and offers over 140 degree programs. Among its most prestigious programs is the nursing program, which is ranked 19th in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
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      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
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      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
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    Bachelor's
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
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      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
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  • Online Programs Available
    2. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
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  • Online Programs Available
    3. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA - General Management
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    Certificate
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  • Online Programs Available
    4. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
      • Masters in Social Work
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
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    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
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    6. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
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    Master's
      • MS: Criminal Justice
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      • MA: Creative Writing - Poetry
      • MAcc: Accounting
      • MBA: Project Management
    Bachelor's
      • BA: Criminal Justice
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      • BA: Psychology
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      • BS: Computer Science
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    Associate's
      • AA: Criminal Justice
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  • Campus and Online Programs
    7. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. Psychology
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    Certificate
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      • Certificate in Behavioral Economics
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  • Campus and Online Programs
    8. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science - Film Production
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    9. Penn Foster

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    10. Universal Technical Institute

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Aviation Maintenance AAS
    Certificate
      • Collision Repair and Refinish Technology
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      • Automotive Technology
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Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

What is your highest level of education completed?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Masters in Social Work

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

What is your highest level of education?

Saint Leo University

  • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
  • MS: Criminal Justice
  • BA: Criminal Justice
  • AA: Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education completed?

The Chicago School

  • M.A. Psychology
  • M.A. Behavioral Economics
  • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?

Full Sail University

  • Master of Science - Film Production
  • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?