2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Alabama

1

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Dothan, AL

Leading the list is George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, our #1 best value for nursing in Alabama. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,412 in student loans. Nursing graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $59,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Andalusia, AL

A rank of #2 makes Lurleen B Wallace Community College one of the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $65,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

George C Wallace State Community College Selma
Selma, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Selma came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, while out-of-state students pay about $8,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Selma generally make around $67,158. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.

4

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $52,569 early in their careers. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden, AL

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Gadsden State Community College, which ranked #5. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,850. Nursing graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $61,443 early in their careers. Set against $10,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Bishop State Community College
Mobile, AL

Bishop State Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,210. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of $71,034 early in their careers. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Bevill State Community College
Jasper, AL

Bevill State Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,750. Nursing graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $63,532 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, AL

Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,124 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $56,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Phenix City, AL

Chattahoochee Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,588. Nursing graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of $67,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,588 median debt.

10

J F Drake State Community And Technical College
Huntsville, AL

J F Drake State Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,281.

11

Snead State Community College
Boaz, AL

Snead State Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,278, compared with $9,148 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,569 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,694. Set against $14,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

John C Calhoun State Community College
Tanner, AL

John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,041 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from John C Calhoun State Community College generally make around $56,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
Birmingham, AL

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,882 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $64,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,882 median debt.

14

Southern Union State Community College
Wadley, AL

Southern Union State Community College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southern Union State Community College earn a median of $69,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.

15

Jefferson State Community College
Birmingham, AL

Jefferson State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $63,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.

16

James H Faulkner State Community College
Bay Minette, AL

James H Faulkner State Community College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,653. Nursing graduates of James H Faulkner State Community College earn a median of $67,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $69,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL

Shelton State Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,127, compared with $8,997 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shelton State Community College generally make around $60,540. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.

19

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,153 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
Hanceville, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $59,770. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

University Of West Alabama landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 nursing graduates is $25,875. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

22

Auburn University At Montgomery
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University At Montgomery placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,625. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Central Alabama Community College
Alexander City, AL

Central Alabama Community College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,967. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Alabama Community College generally make around $59,634. That is a strong return on a $15,967 median debt.

24

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,453. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.

25

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $100,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.