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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Education Schools in Alabama

13 Colleges in the United States
$28,298 Avg Student Debt
$47,815 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Education Badge [Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Education Schools in Alabama

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Education Schools

1

University Of North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Alabama. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of West Alabama, which ranked #2. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,894. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $57,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Troy University one of the best values for education. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $49,812. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

4
Talladega College crest
Talladega College
Talladega, AL

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Talladega College, which ranked #4. Talladega College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Talladega. Students from in state pay about $15,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,062. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Talladega College generally make around $27,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

Alabama State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $49,938. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $46,178. That is a strong return on a $49,938 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Jacksonville State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,576. Early-career education graduates make about $52,489. That is a strong return on a $24,576 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.

7

Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $47,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.

8

Alabama A And M University came in at #8 for value in education this year. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $56,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of South Alabama came in at #9 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,880 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $42,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.

10

University Of Montevallo landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,948, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $45,448. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. University Of Montevallo admits about 54% of applicants.

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University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,341. Education graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $43,650 early in their careers. Set against $25,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Spring Hill College placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,054. Median earnings reach $51,500 ten years out. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $54,661 early in their careers. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

14

University Of Mobile landed the #14 spot for education value this year. University Of Mobile is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $26,910 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Mobile earn a median of $42,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15
Faulkner University crest
Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,920. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,942. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Faulkner University generally make around $52,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

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Huntingdon College crest
Huntingdon College
Montgomery, AL

Huntingdon College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Huntingdon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,070 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,252. Early-career education graduates make about $33,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Alabama ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,352. Early-career education graduates make about $47,515. That is a strong return on a $25,352 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

18
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #18 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,243 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $57,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

19
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University came in at #19 for value in education this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Education graduates of Samford University earn a median of $63,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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