Best Online Colleges in Alabama
Alabama has made significant investments in making a college education more attainable. According to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), the number of postsecondary certificates and degrees awarded by Alabama public institutions increased by 44% from 2014-2022.
Online colleges in Alabama provide students with accessible, flexible, and affordable learning opportunities. Explore online higher education and career potential in Alabama in this guide.
Alabama at a Glance
- There are 37 nonprofit four-year institutions in Alabama.
- Nearly 30% of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- In fall 2023, 57.9% of students at Alabama institutions were enrolled in online courses.
- In fall 2023, there were over 90,000 students aged 25 and over enrolled at Alabama colleges.
5 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Alabama
University of West Alabama
- Livingston, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
University of West Alabama (UWA) offers more than 50 online degrees, including 19 bachelor's and 27 master's programs. Majors cover career-focused areas like business, education, psychology, and counseling. In the 2022-2023 academic year, 93% of full-time, first-time undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid, contributing to the school's low average net price of $14,781.
HighlightsÂ
- Offers five eight-week online terms per year, with course load flexibility
- Practices inclusive admission policies that make education attainable and affordable
- Operates in-house scholarship programs for military students, education majors, and business majors
Know Before You Apply
- UWA has a six-year graduation rate of 38%.
- Only 25% of part-time, first-time bachelor's students return for their second year
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
83%
$ 9,100
69%
$18,200
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,860
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Mobile
- Mobile, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
University of Mobile (UM) offers a curated selection of practical online bachelor's and master's degrees, covering areas like nursing, education, business administration, and ministry studies. UM features small class sizes and an impressive 100% retention rate for part-time, first-time bachelor's students.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Courses delivered in compact eight-week terms
- Offers programs in in-demand fields to meet the needs of working adults
- Awards $2,000 scholarships to first-year and transfer undergrads who visit campus before applying and enrollingÂ
Know Before You Apply
- UM is a Christ-centered institution affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention.
- Some graduate programs are only available in hybrid formats.
- Only 23% of admitted students elect to enroll.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- National Association of Schools of Music
22%
$23,860
68%
$23,860
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,804
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
With a dozen online bachelor's degrees and over 30 online master's programs, you can find your calling with University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The university's online degrees favor career-focused subjects with strong labor market demand. In 2022-2023, the school awarded over $17 million in institutional grants and scholarships to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
HighlightsÂ
- Has a generous admittance rate while still being somewhat selective
- Features tutoring, success advising, disability services, and other resources for distance students
- Provides benefits for active duty and veteran students, including free applications and flexible course completion options
Know Before You Apply
- Variable tuition rates apply to online programs.
- UAB students are exclusively enrolled in distance courses at rates that fall almost one-third below Alabama's statewide average.
Programmatic Accreditation
- ABET
- Accrediting Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council on Social Work Education
68%
$11,040
82%
$26,520
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Students Enrolled
- 21,639
- Institution Type
- Public
University of North Alabama
- Florence, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Affordable tuition rates and generous transfer credit policies help make the University of North Alabama's (UNA) online learning experience efficient and accessible. Online undergraduate and graduate students at UNA can enroll in over 30 programs across fields like management, criminal justice, education, and nursing.
HighlightsÂ
- Reduces costs for online students with flat-rate tuition plans
- Offers scholarships to transfer students
- Grants one free course to new online students who enroll in two or more classes
Know Before You Apply
- Online graduate programs carry higher tuition fees.
- Only 16% of UNA students are enrolled exclusively in distance education courses.
- Male students have a lower six-year graduation rate (47%) than female students (58%).
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council on Social Work Education
69%
$10,200
78%
$20,400
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 10,529
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
As the Yellowhammer State's flagship research university, the University of Alabama (UA) offers about 74 fully or primarily online bachelor's and master's programs in career-ready fields like nursing, education, business, and public health. UA features an 87% retention rate for full-time students and a 74% overall graduation rate.Â
Highlights
- Offers several scholarships and grants for distance learning and online students
- Engages in military-friendly policies and offerings, including the UA Online Military Tuition Grant, which pays for six credits per semester
- Lets you take your first class for free to try out the program
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs require minimum standardized test scores or a particular high school or undergraduate GPA.
- A few programs are available only in a "primarily online" or hybrid format.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Social Work Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
42%
$11,100
86%
$32,400
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Students Enrolled
- 39,622
- Institution Type
- Public
Who Accredits Online Schools in Alabama?
Institutional accreditation certifies the quality of a college or university. Attending an accredited college makes it easier to transfer credits to other institutions, pursue graduate studies, and receive federal financial aid. Additionally, employers look for accreditation to confirm the validity of your degree.
The leading accreditor for Alabama colleges is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, although Alabama colleges can receive accreditation from other recognized accreditors.
How Much Does College Cost in Alabama?
Alabama’s colleges and universities offer affordable options for students. While public undergraduate tuition is slightly above the national average, graduate and private school learners can find significant savings opportunities.
Despite its affordability, many Alabama students need assistance to cover their educational costs. The state government operates several programs that can help, including:
- The Alabama Student Assistance Program, a need-based grant program offering up to $5,000 in non-repayable funding
- The non-need-based Alabama Student Grant Program, which provides annual funding of up to $3,000
- The (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program for students returning to higher education
You can learn more about these and other state-based student aid programs through ACHE’s Student Financial Assistance portal.
Career Opportunities in Alabama
$43,830
Median annual wage in AL (May 2024)
+6.2%
Projected job growth in AL (2022-2032)
2.9%
Unemployment rate in AL (August 2025)
The 2025 Business Facilities State, Metro, and Global Rankings assigned top-10 scores to Alabama in several key industries and workforce development categories, including:
- Customized workforce training (3rd)
- Nuclear power generation (5th)
- Automotive (6th)
- Competitiveness of foreign direct investment (6th)
- Manufacturing jobs (7th)
Alabama also has a healthy job growth forecast. Popular bachelor’s degree career paths that have very high growth projections in the state include information security analysts, medical and health services managers, software developers, and software quality assurance analysts/testers.
Popular Cities for Recent Grads
Birmingham
- The Birmingham metro area had a very low July 2025 unemployment rate of just 2.7%
- Top employment sectors include trades and utilities, government, education and health services, professional and financial services, and manufacturing
- Median household income increased by 43.8% from 2013-2023
Huntsville
- Huntsville has the highest percentage of college graduates of any city in northern Alabama
- East Huntsville has a 2025 median family income of more than $103,000 per year
- Professional and business services, government, trade and utilities, manufacturing, and education and health services are leading employment sectors
Montgomery
- Median household income in Montgomery spiked by 21% from 2020-2023
- More than one-third (34.3%) of Montgomery’s population has at least a bachelor’s degree
- Major local employers include Maxwell Gunter Air Force Base, the Alabama state government, the Montgomery public school system, and the Baptist Health network
Frequently Asked Questions
HBCU First lists 14 historically Black colleges and universities in Alabama: Alabama A&M, Alabama State University, Bishop State Community College, Gadsden State Community College, J.F. Drake State Technical College, Lawson Community College, Miles College, Oakwood University, Selma University, Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, Talladega College, Trenholm State Community College, and Tuskegee University.
