community-collegetransferfinancial-aidAlabama

Best Community Colleges in Birmingham: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 10, 2026

Compare Birmingham community colleges with real tuition, earnings, and program data.

Why Community College in Birmingham?

Birmingham's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path (2 years at CC, 2 at university) can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.

Community Colleges in Birmingham

Jefferson State Community College (Birmingham)

Tuition: $5,040/year | Enrollment: 5,443 | 6-year earnings: $35,502

Nursing ADN graduates earn $54,204/year.

Shelton State Community College (Tuscaloosa)

Tuition: $5,067/year | Enrollment: 3,191 | 6-year earnings: $31,581

Nursing ADN graduates earn $50,068/year.

Lawson State Community College (Birmingham)

Tuition: $4,980/year | Enrollment: 2,720 | 6-year earnings: $27,733

Nursing ADN graduates earn $64,547/year.

Fortis Institute-Birmingham (Birmingham)

Tuition: $14,561/year | Enrollment: 339 | 6-year earnings: $34,430

Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham (Hoover)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 128 | 6-year earnings: $21,295

Winonah's International School of Cosmetology (Hoover)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 110

Brown Beauty Barber School (Bessemer)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 54

University Academy of Hair Design (Tuscaloosa)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 38 | 6-year earnings: $23,934

How to Choose

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest tuition	Lawson State Community College ($4,980/yr)
Best earnings outcome	Jefferson State Community College ($35,502 at 6yrs)
Nursing	Check which schools offer ADN programs with clinical rotations
Transfer	Look for schools with articulation agreements to your target university

Transfer Pathways

Check with your target university for specific transfer agreements. Most Alabama public universities accept credits from in-state community colleges through statewide articulation agreements. Complete your general education core at a CC and transfer as a junior to save significantly on your bachelor's degree.

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often exceeds full CC tuition
Alabama state grants — check your state's financial aid office for resident programs
Institutional scholarships — many CCs offer merit and need-based scholarships
Workforce development grants — available for high-demand programs like nursing and skilled trades

Next Steps

Compare Birmingham community colleges on GradeToGrad — see tuition, programs, and transfer rates.