2026 Best Value Value Schools in Alabama
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Alabama
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Troy University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Alabama. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Troy University earn a median of $51,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Auburn University At Montgomery one of the best values for value. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,746. Early-career value graduates make about $44,249. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Columbia Southern University, which ranked #3. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Value graduates carry a median of $25,447 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $63,643. Set against $25,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jacksonville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,751. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Value graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,592. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Value graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $48,736. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,803. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
