Alabama combines nationally respected nursing schools, low in-state tuition at its public universities and a growing demand for nurses across rural and urban communities. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine finishing your last clinical shift at a major academic medical centre in Birmingham, knowing that your public university tuition was a fraction of what friends in other states paid, and that hospitals across the South are already competing to hire you.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Alabama that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Alabama nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn University | Auburn | Public | 82% | 234 | $78,387 | $13,318 |
| 2 | Samford University | Birmingham | Private nonprofit | 77% | 102 | $72,080 | $41,910 |
| 3 | The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | Public | 74% | 360 | $80,382 | $12,484 |
| 4 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | Public | 65% | 394 | $75,245 | $9,812 |
| 5 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | Public | 63% | 154 | $73,223 | $12,458 |
| 6 | University of Mobile | Mobile | Private nonprofit | 57% | 28 | $73,507 | $27,930 |
| 7 | Spring Hill College | Mobile | Private nonprofit | 57% | 22 | $80,528 | $25,300 |
| 8 | University of North Alabama | Florence | Public | 55% | 162 | $68,788 | $12,480 |
| 9 | Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | Private nonprofit | 55% | 25 | $70,415 | $25,598 |
| 10 | University of South Alabama | Mobile | Public | 54% | 354 | $75,114 | $10,476 |
| 11 | Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Public | 51% | 206 | $78,646 | $13,224 |
| 12 | Troy University | Troy | Public | 50% | 132 | $74,546 | $10,704 |
| 13 | Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery | Public | 34% | 76 | $72,045 | $10,339 |
| 14 | South University-Montgomery | Montgomery | Private for-profit | 11% | 29 | $79,957 | $18,145 |
Top Alabama nursing schools reviewed
1. Auburn University
Auburn University’s College of Nursing has the highest graduation rate on our Alabama list. The flagship land-grant university offers a competitive BSN with strong clinical partnerships across east Alabama and beyond.
- Graduation rate: 82%, number 1 in Alabama on our list
- Programme size: about 234 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $78,387 one year after graduating
- Cost: $13,318 in-state tuition ($36,022 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 46%
2. Samford University
Samford University in Birmingham is a private Christian university whose Ida Moffett School of Nursing has a long history and a strong reputation for clinical preparation.
- Graduation rate: 77%, number 2 in Alabama on our list
- Programme size: about 102 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $72,080 one year after graduating
- Cost: $41,910 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 82%
3. The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing in Tuscaloosa is one of the largest BSN producers in the state, with graduates reporting some of the highest early earnings on our list.
- Graduation rate: 74%, number 3 in Alabama on our list
- Programme size: about 360 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $80,382 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,484 in-state tuition ($35,342 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 77%
4. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing is closely linked to UAB’s academic medical centre, one of the largest in the US, and is the biggest producer of BSN graduates on our Alabama list.
- Graduation rate: 65%, number 4 in Alabama on our list
- Programme size: about 394 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,245 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,812 in-state tuition ($23,684 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 88%
5. University of Alabama in Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing serves north Alabama’s fast-growing technology and healthcare region, with a solid BSN programme and links to Huntsville hospitals.
- Graduation rate: 63%, number 5 in Alabama on our list
- Programme size: about 154 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $73,223 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,458 in-state tuition ($27,148 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 69%
Studying nursing in Alabama: what to know
Alabama’s public universities offer some of the lowest in-state tuition in our national series, and several have large, well-established nursing programmes. Demand is strong, particularly in rural counties and in specialties such as critical care, labour and delivery and long-term care. Nurses are licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing, and Alabama is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Community colleges across the state offer associate degree nursing, and many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree at universities on this list.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Alabama
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Alabama is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Alabama offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 14 colleges in Alabama produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 2,278 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Alabama nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Auburn University, with a college-wide graduation rate of 82%.
How much do BSN graduates earn in Alabama?
On our list, median earnings one year after graduating range from about $68,788 to $80,528.
Who licenses nurses in Alabama?
The Alabama Board of Nursing.
But is the highest-ranked school the best one for you?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Alabama Board of Nursing publishes or can provide first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate with the Alabama Board of Nursing before you apply.
Related: Best nursing schools in the US: top 25 and every state · Best nursing schools in Georgia · Best nursing schools in Mississippi · Best nursing schools in Tennessee · US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Alabama Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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