2023 best colleges in Alabama

On top of quality academics, Alabama universities like the University of Alabama and Auburn University are best known for their competitive athletic programs. Sports fans will also find the first and only sports-focused institution in the country, the United States Sports Academy, which provides accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like sports coaching and recreation management. While the state leaves a lot to be desired in terms of liberal arts colleges, it does feature high-quality religious institutions, including Samford University and Birmingham Southern College. 

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#1 in Alabama | #191 in Political Science nationally

Troy University

Troy, Alabama

Economic score: 4.50

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $14,992

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.5 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,839

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $391

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 95%
Graduation rate: 49%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Alabama | #236 in Political Science nationally

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Economic score: 5.34

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $20,917

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.4 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $41,396

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $380

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 79%
Graduation rate: 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Alabama | #249 in Political Science nationally

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama

Economic score: 5.54

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $24,018

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $42,522

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,187

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 71%
Graduation rate: 79%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Alabama | #257 in Political Science nationally
Economic score: 5.89

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $16,530

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.5 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $36,389

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $2,355

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 89%
Graduation rate: 64%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Alabama | #372 in Political Science nationally

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Alabama

Economic score: 10.28

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $17,523

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 8.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,545

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $6,271

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 76%
Graduation rate: 49%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Alabama | #458 in Political Science nationally
Economic score: 38.10

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $16,826

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 25.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $25,967

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $13,311

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 71%
Graduation rate: 51%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Alabama | #472 in Political Science nationally

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, Alabama

Economic score: 126.46

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $36,528

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 79.4 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $26,353

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $15,607

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 34%
Graduation rate: 54%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in poli sci/government in Alabama?

Years

4.5 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in poli sci/government in Alabama is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 4.5 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in poli sci/government earn in Alabama?

Salary

$38,839

The median bachelor's degree in poli sci/government graduate earns $38,839 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in poli sci/government cost in Alabama?

Net cost

$14,707

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in poli sci/government is $14,707. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.