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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  • Alabama
  • Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Sociology
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Ranking methodology
#1 in Alabama | #232 in Sociology nationally

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama

Economic score: 7.61

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: 8.4 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: $36,653

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

EarningsPlus: + $3,453

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.

#2 in Alabama | #270 in Sociology nationally
Economic score: 9.39

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: 9.4 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: $30,716

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

EarningsPlus: - $104

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.

#3 in Alabama | #310 in Sociology nationally
Economic score: 12.45

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: $13,699

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

Payback: 11.7 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: $28,344

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

EarningsPlus: - $1,753

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: 90%
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.

#4 in Alabama | #315 in Sociology nationally

Troy University

Troy, Alabama

Economic score: 12.81

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: 12.1 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: $28,643

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

EarningsPlus: - $1,681

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.

How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in sociology in Alabama?

Years

13.2 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in sociology in Alabama is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 13.2 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in sociology earn in Alabama?

Salary

$29,290

The median bachelor's degree in sociology graduate earns $29,290 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in sociology cost in Alabama?

Net cost

$18,846

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in sociology is $18,846. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.