Best Nursing Schools in Birmingham: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 8, 2026
Compare 7 Birmingham nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Birmingham?
Birmingham offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 7 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
In-state tuition: $11,900/year | Acceptance rate: 75.8% | Graduation rate: 73.2%
Nursing graduates earn $121,674/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 32,323 students.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham)
In-state tuition: $8,832/year | Acceptance rate: 88.4% | Graduation rate: 63.4%
Nursing graduates earn $128,873/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 12,118 students.
Samford University (Birmingham)
In-state tuition: $38,144/year | Acceptance rate: 82.2% | Graduation rate: 78.8%
Nursing graduates earn $107,827/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 3,828 students.
Herzing University-Birmingham (Birmingham)
In-state tuition: $13,420/year | Acceptance rate: 94.5% | Graduation rate: 29.4%
Nursing graduates earn $107,900/year (Graduate Certificate). Enrollment: 445 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | $5,040/yr | $54,204/yr |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa | $5,067/yr | $50,068/yr |
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | $4,980/yr | $64,547/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Birmingham:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Alabama's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Birmingham nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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