By BVS Staff
Welcome to our best value ranking of online colleges in Alabama!
There are more than 30 different institutions of higher education in Alabama, and about 20 of them enroll a decent portion of students in online courses. Of those online-accessible schools, we’re bringing you the 10 “best value.” These top 10 colleges all earned at least 50 points (out of 100) in our ranking.
Methodology
Click here to read all about our best value online schools ranking methodology, and also check out our ranking of top affordable online colleges.
10. Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL
At Jacksonville State University, students looking for the best online schools in Alabama will find a comprehensive range of professional and academic majors offered through a sophisticated online learning platform. From hard sciences, including Applied Engineering and Computer Science, to social sciences and humanities programs such as Education and Criminal Justice, Jacksonville’s digital offerings span many of the most popular and promising bachelor’s programs available today. Jacksonville Online also features “around-the-clock” technical support for distance learners to help bridge the gap between the institution and its students, who—thanks to Jacksonville’s participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements—are located throughout the Southeastern states.
In-State Tuition: $7,500/yr
Score: 54
9. Herzing University-Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
With back-to-back inclusions in US News’ Best Online Colleges for the last two years and a top Alabama online colleges ranking, Herzing University-Birmingham’s online programs are the perfect resource for remote or working students seeking an affordable and accelerated professional degree. Herzing’s online programs cater directly to those who wish to advance quickly in fast-growing, high-demand fields such as Healthcare, Design, and Public Safety. For programs that require hands-on clinical work such as Nursing and Healthcare, faculty and administrators at Herzing work with students to locate appropriate facilities nearby to optimize quality and convenience.
In-State Tuition: $13,090/yr
Score: 56
8. University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
What the University of South Alabama lacks in breadth of online undergraduate degrees, it makes up for in quality, price, and convenience. USA Online students can select from a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies; a BS in Instructional Design and Human Performance Improvement; and an RN to BSN track, all of which possess the hallmarks of excellence found in all the top online degrees in Alabama. With $50 million in endowed merit scholarships as well as national recognition as a Military Friendly School, USA makes the grade in way more ways than one.
In-State Tuition: $7,332/yr
Score: 56
7. Talladega College
Talladega, AL
Talladega College is probably better known as Alabama’s oldest historically black college than as a vanguard of digital education. Founded in 1867, campus community has been a cornerstone of the Talladega Education for nearly a century and a half, often to the exclusion of working and remote students. To make up for this glaring oversight, Talladega has recently introduced a host of progressive distance learning programs that shine just as bright—if not brighter—than their conventional counterparts. Talladega’s FASTtrack Program in Organizational Management, for instance, has set the bar for value and convenience among the best online colleges in Alabama.
In-State Tuition: $12,510/yr
Score: 61
6. University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Good news for young people: the University of Alabama’s online program—proudly known as Bama By Distance—offers affordable online college courses in Alabama that are a virtual facsimile of the traditional state school experience available on campus. From Arts and Science to Business, Education, Nursing, Law, and Engineering, online students at Alabama have full access to all the educational opportunities of their peers. Bama By Distance also features a full range of customization options that allows students to choose between day or nighttime classes, juggle a part- or full-time schedule, and log in at their own convenience to view live streams or recorded lectures from class.
In-State Tuition: $10,170/yr
Score: 62
5. University of North Alabama
Florence, AL
The University of North Alabama takes technology-driven distance learning to the next level. In addition to online portals that facilitate asynchronous and synchronous coursework; digital notes; and live class discussion forums; UNA utilizes a modern feature known as Remote Proctor Now (RPNow) to monitor off-campus testing. Combined with the comprehensive range of undergraduate degrees available at this online college in Alabama—including Nursing, Political Science, and Interdisciplinary Studies—it’s fair to say that UNA features the closest approximation to a live college experience you can find, all without any of the inconvenience.
In-State Tuition: $7,774/yr
Score: 68
4. Troy University
Troy, AL
It’s not hard to see why so many students at Troy University choose the online option. With 20 years of experience curating distance students’ online education through flexible degree offerings in dozens of disciplines spanning the arts, sciences, and pre-professional studies (plus a robust credit transfer policy), Troy rivals even the best online schools in Alabama for the ease and convenience it offers degree seekers. The other main reason that nearly 60% of students at Troy are enrolled in online classes? Affordable tuition – not to mention the low cost of living throughout the state – makes this online college hard to beat in terms of both accessibility and affordability.
In-State Tuition: $7,924/yr
Score: 71
3. University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
With a graduation rate well above 50%, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has one of the greatest track records of student success among schools offering online college courses in Alabama. That’s partially a result of the flexibility and convenience of UAB’s online course delivery format, which provides customizable scheduling options that include part- and full-time graduation plans. What’s more, eLearning at UAB is almost exclusively dedicated to pre-professional programs—e.g., Business, Health Care, Nursing, etc.—which appeals to a contingent of students who likely more motivated to graduate than their counterparts in the arts and sciences.
In-State Tuition: $7,766/yr
Score: 72
2. Amridge University
Montgomery, AL
Between the two schools atop our Alabama online colleges ranking, Amridge University is the obvious choice for students of faith. Amridge is not only one of the few completely online programs on this list, it is also the only one that features a religious affiliation. Amridge’s Christian influences are not limited to programs in Biblical Studies and Ministry; they pervade the educational philosophy and worldviews of faculty and students alike. Amridge even provides a Capital Prayer Breakfast six times a year to bring the online community together in the spirit of Christ.
In-State Tuition: $6,900/yr
Score: 98
1. Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL
Columbia Southern University is not only the cheapest school on this list, it also offers the best value. By catering exclusively to distance learners with its online-only curriculum, CSU is able to keep costs down while expanding degree offerings to include a wide range of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Safety and Emergency Services degrees at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. CSU is also known throughout a multitude of industries for its corporate partnership programs, which provide tuition benefits, free applications, and exclusive scholarships for employees looking to build their credentials with an online degree in Alabama.
In-State Tuition: $5,175/yr
Score: 100
What did you think of these top online degrees in Alabama?
Sources:
College Navigator
IPEDS Data Center
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