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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Alabama

30 Schools Ranked
$40,725 Average Earnings
$24,465 Avg Student Debt

Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in Alabama to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 30 schools in Alabama to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Alabama

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Herzing University - Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
$42,963 Average Earnings
$33,541 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Herzing University - Birmingham the best school in Alabama for nursing students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from Herzing University - Birmingham accumulate an average of $33,541 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $107 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Herzing University - Birmingham, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,963 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Herzing University - Birmingham

#2

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
$49,769 Average Earnings
$22,004 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Auburn University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

Degree recipients from Auburn accumulate an average of $22,004 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $582, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Auburn graduates make an average of $49,769 annually.

Full Auburn University Report

#3

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
$55,075 Average Earnings
$21,711 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Samford University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Alabama.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,711 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $518 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Samford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,075 during the early years of their career.

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#4

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
$44,898 Average Earnings
$24,032 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Alabama. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

On average, students take out $24,032 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $629, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,898 during the early years of their career.

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#5

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
$51,494 Average Earnings
$26,869 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Alabama at Birmingham. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

Degree recipients from UAB accumulate an average of $26,869 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $244 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UAB graduates make an average of $51,494 annually.

Read full report on University of Alabama at Birmingham

#6

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
$46,663 Average Earnings
$28,397 Avg Student Debt

University of South Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,397 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $279.After graduating from USA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,663 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of South Alabama

$34,370 Average Earnings
$14,189 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Bevill State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,189 in student loans.After graduating from Bevill State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,370 during the early years of their career.

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$34,201 Average Earnings
$9,802 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Gadsden State Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $9,802 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, GSCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,201 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Coastal Alabama Community College

Bay Minette, Alabama
$33,085 Average Earnings
$17,099 Avg Student Debt

Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list.

Degree recipients from Coastal Alabama Community College accumulate an average of $17,099 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Coastal Alabama Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,085 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Coastal Alabama Community College

$29,871 Average Earnings
$11,701 Avg Student Debt

Wallace Community College, Dothan ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

Degree recipients from Wallace, Dothan accumulate an average of $11,701 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wallace, Dothan graduates make an average of $29,871 annually.

Read full report on Wallace Community College, Dothan

#11

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama
$58,920 Average Earnings
$25,994 Avg Student Debt

University of Alabama in Huntsville landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $25,994 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $272. Once they receive their degree, UAH graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,920 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Alabama in Huntsville Report

$32,181 Average Earnings
$19,039 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Wallace Community College, Selma did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from WCCS accumulate an average of $19,039 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WCCS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,181 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wallace Community College, Selma

$36,585 Average Earnings
$14,666 Avg Student Debt

Wallace State Community College, Hanceville landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Wallace State, Hanceville accumulate an average of $14,666 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wallace State, Hanceville graduates make an average of $36,585 annually.

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#14

South University, Montgomery

Montgomery, Alabama
$41,966 Average Earnings
$43,863 Avg Student Debt

South University, Montgomery ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $43,863 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $208, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, South University, Montgomery graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,966 during the early year of their career.

Full South University, Montgomery Report

#15

Shelton State Community College

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
$34,938 Average Earnings
$13,517 Avg Student Debt

Shelton State Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Alabama ranking.

Degree recipients from Shelton State Community College accumulate an average of $13,517 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Shelton State Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,938 during the early year of their career.

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$41,053 Average Earnings
$16,715 Avg Student Debt

Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Alabama ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,715 in student loans.After graduating from LSCC - Birmingham Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,053 during the early years of their career.

Full Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Report

#17

Bishop State Community College

Mobile, Alabama
$33,515 Average Earnings
$14,939 Avg Student Debt

Bishop State Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

On average, students take out $14,939 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Bishop State Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,515 during the early years of their career.

Full Bishop State Community College Report

#18

Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Phenix City, Alabama
$60,027 Average Earnings
$16,808 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Chattahoochee Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from CVCC accumulate an average of $16,808 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,027 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Chattahoochee Valley Community College

#19

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Alabama
$39,073 Average Earnings
$26,150 Avg Student Debt

Jacksonville State University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $26,150 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $97 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Jacksonville State University graduates make an average of $39,073 annually.

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#20

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama
$36,683 Average Earnings
$24,719 Avg Student Debt

University of North Alabama came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Alabama ranking.

On average, students take out $24,719 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $304, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNA graduates make an average of $36,683 annually.

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#21

Northeast Alabama Community College

Rainsville, Alabama
$29,138 Average Earnings
$8,406 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Alabama ranking.

Degree recipients from Northeast accumulate an average of $8,406 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northeast graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,138 during the early year of their career.

Full Northeast Alabama Community College Report

#22

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

Andalusia, Alabama
$35,722 Average Earnings
$10,745 Avg Student Debt

Lurleen B Wallace Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list.

Degree recipients from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College accumulate an average of $10,745 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,722 during the early years of their career.

Full Lurleen B Wallace Community College Report

$38,694 Average Earnings
$15,738 Avg Student Debt

John C Calhoun State Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list.

On average, students take out $15,738 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Calhoun Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,694 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on John C Calhoun State Community College

$32,006 Average Earnings
$15,217 Avg Student Debt

Southern Union State Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Alabama list.

On average, students take out $15,217 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Southern Union State Community College graduates make an average of $32,006 annually.

Read full report on Southern Union State Community College

#25

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
$41,526 Average Earnings
$28,305 Avg Student Debt

Troy University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from TROY accumulate an average of $28,305 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $155, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, TROY graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,526 during the early year of their career.

Full Troy University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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