nursingadmissionscareersAlabama

Best Nursing Schools in Alabama: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 12, 2026

Explore Alabama's 20 nursing programs across universities and community colleges. Compare tuition costs ($4,032–$38,144/year), admission rates, and graduate earnings to find your ideal nursing pathway.

Overview of Nursing Education in Alabama

Alabama offers aspiring nurses a diverse range of educational pathways through 20 accredited nursing programs—9 community colleges and 11 universities. Whether you're seeking an affordable Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a prestigious Bachelor's or advanced degree, Alabama's schools provide flexible, accessible options for career-changers and traditional students alike.

The state's nursing programs range dramatically in cost and selectivity. Community college tuition starts as low as $4,032 per year at Gadsden State Community College, while private options like Samford University charge $38,144 annually. Public university programs cluster between $8,832 and $12,536 per year in-state tuition—making Alabama one of the most affordable nursing education markets in the Southeast.

Nursing graduates from Alabama schools earn competitive salaries. Those pursuing doctoral degrees (like DNP programs) earn $121,674 to $128,873 annually, while associate degree holders start around $48,439 to $64,547 per year. This salary progression reflects the importance of educational pathway selection.

Top University Nursing Programs in Alabama

Research-Intensive Universities with Strong Doctoral Programs

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) — Birmingham

Tuition: $8,832/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 88.4%
Graduation Rate: 63.4%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $128,873/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 12,118

UAB offers the highest nursing graduate earnings in Alabama, reflecting its status as a research-intensive institution with doctoral nursing programs. The school's high acceptance rate (88.4%) makes it accessible, though the 63.4% graduation rate suggests rigorous coursework. UAB's location in Birmingham provides clinical partnership opportunities with one of the region's largest medical centers.

University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) — Huntsville

Tuition: $11,770/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 74.3%
Graduation Rate: 62.4%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $124,924/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 6,650

UAH graduates earn $124,924 annually with doctoral degrees, making it the second-highest earning program in the state. The school's moderate acceptance rate (74.3%) indicates selective admissions. Huntsville's growing healthcare sector provides abundant clinical placements and employment opportunities.

The University of Alabama — Tuscaloosa

Tuition: $11,900/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 75.8%
Graduation Rate: 73.2%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $121,674/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 32,323

Alabama's flagship university boasts the highest graduation rate (73.2%) among research institutions and strong doctoral nursing earnings ($121,674). The university's large enrollment (32,323) means robust resources and diverse clinical partnerships across the state.

Selective Public Universities with Master's Programs

Auburn University — Auburn

Tuition: $12,536/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 50.5%
Graduation Rate: 80.0%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $96,107/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 25,732

Auburn is Alabama's most selective nursing program (50.5% acceptance rate) with the highest overall graduation rate (80.0%). This competitive admissions process correlates with strong student outcomes. Master's degree graduates earn $96,107 annually—solid earnings for mid-level nursing roles like nurse educators or administrators.

Samford University — Birmingham

Tuition: $38,144/year
Acceptance Rate: 82.2%
Graduation Rate: 78.8%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $107,827/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 3,828

Samford is Alabama's only private nonprofit nursing school and charges significantly higher tuition ($38,144/year). However, the 78.8% graduation rate and $107,827 doctoral nursing earnings justify the premium for students seeking a smaller, private university experience. Samford's Birmingham location provides access to major medical centers.

Accessible Public Universities (High Acceptance Rates)

University of North Alabama — Florence

Tuition: $11,990/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 96.5%
Graduation Rate: 53.1%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $70,167/year (Master's Degree)

UNA has Alabama's highest acceptance rate (96.5%), making it ideal for students with lower test scores or GPAs. However, the 53.1% graduation rate and lower nursing earnings ($70,167) suggest the program may be less rigorous or serve students needing more academic support.

Troy University — Troy

Tuition: $9,792/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 92.6%
Graduation Rate: 46.2%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $93,435/year (Master's Degree)

Troy offers affordable tuition and open admissions (92.6% acceptance), but the lowest graduation rate in this group (46.2%) raises concerns about student support and program rigor. Consider this option only if other schools reject you.

University of South Alabama — Mobile

Tuition: $9,676/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 65.5%
Graduation Rate: 50.1%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $117,239/year (Graduate Certificate)
Enrollment: 8,540

South Alabama offers moderate selectivity and graduate certificate earnings of $117,239—competitive with bachelor's degree holders at other schools. The 50.1% graduation rate suggests challenging coursework.

Smaller Public Universities

Jacksonville State University — Jacksonville

Tuition: $12,426/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 76.2%
Graduation Rate: 51.7%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $80,009/year (Master's Degree)

JSU charges the highest tuition among public universities ($12,426) but offers modest nursing earnings ($80,009), making it less competitive than flagship institutions.

Auburn University at Montgomery — Montgomery

Tuition: $9,436/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 92.6%
Graduation Rate: 35.8%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $57,382/year (Bachelor's Degree)

AUM has the lowest graduation rate (35.8%) and lowest nursing earnings ($57,382) in Alabama's university system. Avoid this option unless it's your only acceptance.

University of West Alabama — Livingston

Tuition: $10,990/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 87.1%
Graduation Rate: 38.2%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $54,452/year (Associate's Degree)

UWA's 38.2% graduation rate is concerning. The associate degree earnings ($54,452) suggest limited program prestige or graduate outcomes.

Community College Nursing Programs: The Affordable ADN Path

Alabama's 9 community colleges offer Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs at dramatically lower costs than universities. Tuition ranges from $4,032 to $5,067 per year—roughly half the cost of public universities.

Best Value Community Colleges

Gadsden State Community College — Gadsden

Tuition: $4,032/year (lowest in Alabama)
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $52,705/year (Associate's Degree)

Coastal Alabama Community College — Bay Minette

Tuition: $4,980/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $54,395/year

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville — Hanceville

Tuition: $4,980/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $51,402/year

Southern Union State Community College — Wadley

Tuition: $4,980/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $52,602/year

George C Wallace Community College-Dothan — Dothan

Tuition: $4,920/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $52,510/year

Higher-Earning Community College Programs

Lawson State Community College — Birmingham

Tuition: $4,980/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $64,547/year (highest among ADN programs)

Lawson State graduates earn $64,547—comparable to some bachelor's degree holders—despite the lowest tuition cost. This makes it Alabama's best value for nursing education.

Jefferson State Community College — Birmingham

Tuition: $5,040/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $54,204/year

John C Calhoun State Community College — Tanner

Tuition: $5,060/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $48,439/year

Shelton State Community College — Tuscaloosa

Tuition: $5,067/year
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $50,068/year

Community College Strategy

Community colleges offer significant advantages:

Cost savings: $4,032–$5,067/year vs. $8,832–$12,536 at universities
Smaller class sizes and personalized instruction
Faster entry to nursing: 2-year ADN vs. 4-year BSN
RN licensure: ADN graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN exam as bachelor's graduates
Bridge programs: Most Alabama universities accept ADN graduates into RN-to-BSN programs

Strategy tip: Attend community college for your ADN (saving $15,000–$20,000), pass the NCLEX-RN, work as an RN for 1–2 years, then pursue a bachelor's degree part-time or through an RN-to-BSN program while earning $52,000+.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Program

Step 1: Determine Your Educational Goal

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing):

2 years, costs $4,032–$5,067/year
Graduates earn $48,439–$64,547/year
Fastest path to RN licensure
Ideal if you need to enter the workforce quickly or have financial constraints

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing):

4 years, costs $8,832–$12,536/year (public universities)
Graduates earn $70,000–$128,873/year depending on advanced degrees
Better for leadership, research, and advanced practice roles
Required for many specialty positions and graduate programs

Graduate Degrees (Master's, DNP, PhD):

Available at research universities (UAB, UAH, Alabama, Auburn, Samford)
Leads to advanced practice roles (nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, educator)
Nursing graduate earnings: $96,107–$128,873/year

Step 2: Evaluate Admission Competitiveness

Most Selective:

Auburn University (50.5% acceptance)

Moderately Selective:

University of Alabama (75.8%)
UAB (88.4%)
Samford (82.2%)
Jacksonville State (76.2%)

Open Admission:

University of North Alabama (96.5%)
Troy University (92.6%)
AUM (92.6%)

If you have a 3.5+ GPA and competitive test scores, apply to Auburn or UAB. If your GPA is 3.0–3.4, target University of Alabama or Samford. If your GPA is below 3.0, start with community college and transfer.

Step 3: Consider Graduation Rates

Strong graduation rates (70%+):

Auburn University (80.0%)
Samford University (78.8%)
University of Alabama (73.2%)

Moderate graduation rates (60–70%):

UAH (62.4%)
UAB (63.4%)

Concerning graduation rates (<55%):

University of South Alabama (50.1%)
Jacksonville State (51.7%)
University of North Alabama (53.1%)
Troy University (46.2%)
Auburn University at Montgomery (35.8%)

Higher graduation rates correlate with better student support, program quality, and peer cohorts.

Step 4: Assess Geographic Location and Clinical Opportunities

Major medical centers:

Birmingham: UAB, Samford, Jefferson State, Lawson State (access to UAB Medicine)
Huntsville: UAH (Huntsville Hospital system)
Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama, Shelton State (DCH Regional Medical Center)
Auburn: Auburn University (East Alabama Medical Center)
Mobile: University of South Alabama (USA Health system)

Choose a location where you want to work after graduation. Clinical placements often lead to job offers.

Nursing Job Market in Alabama

Employment Outlook

Alabama's healthcare sector is growing. The state has:

Major medical centers in Birmingham (UAB Medicine), Huntsville, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa
Rural healthcare needs in underserved areas (creates opportunities for new graduates)
Competitive salaries ranging from $48,000 (ADN entry) to $128,000+ (DNP)

Starting Salaries by Degree

Associate Degree: $48,439–$64,547/year
Bachelor's Degree: $54,452–$70,167/year
Master's Degree: $80,009–$117,239/year
Doctoral Degree: $107,827–$128,873/year

Career Advancement

Most Alabama employers support RN-to-BSN programs. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement ($3,000–$10,000/year) for nurses pursuing bachelor's degrees. This makes the community college → work → BSN pathway financially attractive.

Financial Aid for Nursing Students in Alabama

Federal Aid (Available at All Schools)

Federal Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year (2024–2025) for students with FAFSA EFC <$6,000
Federal Student Loans: Unsubsidized loans up to $12,500/year (undergraduates)
Work-Study: On-campus employment up to $3,000/year

Alabama State Aid

Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP): Up to $5,000/year for in-state students with FAFSA EFC <$3,000
Alabama Nursing Scholarship Program: Forgivable loans for nurses in rural areas (check with individual schools)

University-Specific Scholarships

Auburn University: Merit scholarships up to $25,000/year for high-achieving students
Samford University: Merit aid up to $30,000/year
University of Alabama: Out-of-state tuition waivers for competitive applicants

Employer Tuition Assistance

UAB Medicine: Up to $10,000/year for employees in RN-to-BSN programs
Huntsville Hospital: $5,000–$8,000/year
DCH Health System (Tuscaloosa): $5,000/year

Nursing-Specific Scholarships

National League for Nursing (NLN): $1,000–$5,000
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): $2,500–$5,000
American Nurses Association Foundation: $1,000–$5,000

Next Steps: Compare Programs and Apply

Alabama's nursing programs offer exceptional value and diverse pathways to an RN license. Whether you choose Auburn's competitive BSN program, UAB's research-focused doctoral track, or Lawson State's affordable ADN option, you'll join a robust healthcare workforce in a state with growing demand for nurses.

Ready to compare programs side-by-side? Visit GradeToGrad's nursing school search tool to filter by tuition, acceptance rate, graduation rate, location, and degree type. Save your favorites and build a balanced application list today.

Application Timeline

Fall of senior year (or career-change year): Research programs, take TEAS or HESI exam
December–February: Submit FAFSA and nursing school applications