2026 Best Nursing Schools in Alabama
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Alabama? Our ranking highlights 79 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Alabama
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Herzing University Birmingham, our #1 Nursing school in Alabama. Located in Birmingham, AL, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 25%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical Nursing student debt is $29,954. See the full Herzing University Birmingham profile
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The strong Nursing programs at Auburn University earned it the #2 place in Alabama. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Read the full report on Auburn University
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Samford University came in at #3 on this year's Nursing ranking in Alabama. Based in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,150. The median Nursing program debt is $21,039. Read the full report on Samford University
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A rank of #4 makes The University Of Alabama one of the top choices in Alabama. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,496. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama
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You'll be in good company at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Birmingham, AL. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,162. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
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University Of South Alabama landed the #6 spot in Alabama this year. Based in Mobile, AL, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of South Alabama
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Bevill State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Jasper, AL, Bevill State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,040. Read the full report on Bevill State Community College
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Gadsden State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Gadsden, AL, Gadsden State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Gadsden State Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,312 in debt. Get the full Gadsden State Community College report
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James H Faulkner State Community College placed #9 among Nursing schools in Alabama. James H Faulkner State Community College is a public school based in Bay Minette, AL. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $14,326 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full James H Faulkner State Community College profile
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George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Dothan, AL, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
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University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public school based in Huntsville, AL. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. The median Nursing program debt is $24,797. Read more about University Of Alabama At Huntsville
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George C Wallace State Community College Selma ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a public school based in Selma, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. The median Nursing program debt is $15,250. Get the full George C Wallace State Community College Selma report
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George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #13 among Nursing schools in Alabama. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public school based in Hanceville, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. More on George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
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South University Montgomery came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Montgomery, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 14%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,895. South University Montgomery Nursing students take on a median of $48,920 in debt. Read the full report on South University Montgomery
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Shelton State Community College landed the #15 spot in Alabama this year. This public school is set in Tuscaloosa, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,127, compared with $8,997 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,688. More on Shelton State Community College
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Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus placed #16 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Set in Birmingham, AL, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus Nursing students take on a median of $11,769 in debt. Get the full Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus report
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Bishop State Community College landed the #17 spot in Alabama this year. Bishop State Community College is a public school based in Mobile, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. The median Nursing program debt is $13,712. Read the full report on Bishop State Community College
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Chattahoochee Valley Community College placed #18 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Based in Phenix City, AL, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,204. Read the full report on Chattahoochee Valley Community College
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Jacksonville State University landed the #19 spot in Alabama this year. This public school is set in Jacksonville, AL. Jacksonville State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. The median Nursing program debt is $24,751. Read more about Jacksonville State University
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University Of North Alabama ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of North Alabama is a public school based in Florence, AL. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,291. Get the full University Of North Alabama report
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Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Northeast Alabama Community College is a public school based in Rainsville, AL. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Northeast Alabama Community College Nursing students take on a median of $7,459 in debt. See the full Northeast Alabama Community College profile
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Lurleen B Wallace Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Andalusia, AL. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Typical Nursing student debt is $7,500. Get the full Lurleen B Wallace Community College report
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John C Calhoun State Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Tanner, AL, John C Calhoun State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. John C Calhoun State Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,839 in debt. Read the full report on John C Calhoun State Community College
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Southern Union State Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Wadley, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Graduates carry a median of $11,555 in student loans. See the full Southern Union State Community College profile
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Troy University landed the #25 spot in Alabama this year. This public school is set in Troy, AL. Troy University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,439. More on Troy University
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Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Mobile ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. University Of Mobile is a private not-for-profit school based in Mobile, AL. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,910. Typical Nursing student debt is $30,127. See the full University Of Mobile profile
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Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Montgomery, AL, Auburn University At Montgomery is a public institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Read the full report on Auburn University At Montgomery
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Snead State Community College placed #28 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Based in Boaz, AL, Snead State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,278, with out-of-state students paying around $9,148. The median Nursing program debt is $12,083. Get the full Snead State Community College report
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Central Alabama Community College placed #29 among Nursing schools in Alabama. This public school is set in Alexander City, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,980. Central Alabama Community College Nursing students take on a median of $12,939 in debt. Read more about Central Alabama Community College
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Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #30 spot in Alabama this year. Located in Muscle Shoals, AL, Northwest Shoals Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Northwest Shoals Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,312 in debt. See the full Northwest Shoals Community College profile
Request InformationStrayer University Alabama ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about Strayer University Alabama
Request InformationCardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Get the full Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound report
Request InformationHeritage Christian University placed #33 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Get the full Heritage Christian University report
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Selma University
Selma University placed #34 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Read the full report on Selma University
Request InformationBirmingham Southern College landed the #35 spot in Alabama this year. Read more about Birmingham Southern College
Request InformationNew Beginning College Of Cosmetology ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on New Beginning College Of Cosmetology
Request InformationWinonahs International School Of Cosmetology landed the #37 spot in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology
Request InformationRoss Medical Education Center Huntsville placed #38 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Get the full Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville report
Request InformationFortis Institute Birmingham placed #39 among Nursing schools in Alabama. See the full Fortis Institute Birmingham profile
Request InformationThe Salon Professional Academy Huntsville came in at #40 in this year's ranking. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville profile
Request InformationSpring Hill College landed the #41 spot in Alabama this year. Read the full report on Spring Hill College
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Miles College
Miles College did well this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Miles College
Request InformationAlabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology report
Request InformationFortis College Dothan came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read more about Fortis College Dothan
Request InformationAthens State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. More on Athens State University
Request InformationJ F Drake State Community And Technical College placed #46 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Read more about J F Drake State Community And Technical College
Request InformationHuntsville Bible College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Huntsville Bible College
Request InformationH Councill Trenholm State Technical College placed #48 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Get the full H Councill Trenholm State Technical College report
Request InformationMidfield Institute Of Cosmetology placed #49 among Nursing schools in Alabama. See the full Midfield Institute Of Cosmetology profile
Request InformationTalladega College placed #50 among Nursing schools in Alabama. Get the full Talladega College report
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 60 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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