2026 Best Teaching Schools in Alabama
Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in Alabama? We have ranked 79 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 60 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in Alabama
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Auburn University, our #1 Teaching school in Alabama. Set in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Auburn University
A rank of #2 makes Samford University one of the top choices in Alabama. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Samford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Samford University profile
You'll be in good company at Athens State University, which ranked #3 this year. Athens State University is a public school based in Athens, AL. Students from in state pay about $10,020 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,700. Athens State University Teaching students take on a median of $27,389 in debt. Read the full report on Athens State University
Out of the 60 schools in Alabama in this year's ranking, University Of West Alabama landed the #4 spot. University Of West Alabama is a public school based in Livingston, AL. University Of West Alabama graduates 28% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full University Of West Alabama report
The strong Teaching programs at The University Of Alabama earned it the #5 place in Alabama. The University Of Alabama is a public school based in Tuscaloosa, AL. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. The University Of Alabama Teaching students take on a median of $24,496 in debt. Read more about The University Of Alabama
University Of North Alabama did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Florence, AL, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. More on University Of North Alabama
University Of Alabama At Birmingham did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Troy University placed #8 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Set in Troy, AL, Troy University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,439. More on Troy University
Jacksonville State University placed #9 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Set in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Jacksonville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Get the full Jacksonville State University report
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #10 spot in Alabama this year. This public school is set in Montgomery, AL. About 33% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,700, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Typical Teaching student debt is $29,746. More on Auburn University At Montgomery
University Of South Alabama placed #11 among Teaching schools in Alabama. This public school is set in Mobile, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. The median Teaching program debt is $26,513. Read the full report on University Of South Alabama
Alabama State University placed #12 among Teaching schools in Alabama. This public school is set in Montgomery, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $33,709. Read the full report on Alabama State University
Alabama A And M University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Alabama A And M University is a public school based in Normal, AL. Alabama A And M University graduates 24% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Alabama A And M University Teaching students take on a median of $31,896 in debt. Get the full Alabama A And M University report
Marion Military Institute came in at #14 in this year's ranking. More on Marion Military Institute
Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway landed the #15 spot in Alabama this year. Read more about Fortis College Montgomery Atlanta Highway
Selma University
Selma University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Get the full Selma University report
United States Sports Academy did well this year, earning the #17 position. See the full United States Sports Academy profile
J F Ingram State Technical College landed the #18 spot in Alabama this year. More on J F Ingram State Technical College
Southern Union State Community College placed #19 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Read more about Southern Union State Community College
Blue Cliff Career College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read more about Blue Cliff Career College
Central Alabama Community College landed the #21 spot in Alabama this year. Get the full Central Alabama Community College report
Columbia Southern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read the full report on Columbia Southern University
University Of Montevallo landed the #23 spot in Alabama this year. Get the full University Of Montevallo report
Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read more about Alabama College Of Osteopathic Medicine
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #25 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Read the full report on George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Degree Schools in Alabama
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Lurleen B Wallace Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Lurleen B Wallace Community College profile
Bishop State Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Bishop State Community College profile
Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology landed the #28 spot in Alabama this year. Get the full Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology report
Stillman College
Stillman College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read the full report on Stillman College
Reid State Technical College landed the #30 spot in Alabama this year. See the full Reid State Technical College profile
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #31 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #32 among Teaching schools in Alabama. See the full Northwest Shoals Community College profile
South University Montgomery did well this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about South University Montgomery
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read more about George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Snead State Community College placed #35 among Teaching schools in Alabama. See the full Snead State Community College profile
Midfield Institute Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Midfield Institute Of Cosmetology
Jersey College Dothan placed #37 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Read more about Jersey College Dothan
Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound came in at #38 in this year's ranking. See the full Cardiac And Vascular Institute Of Ultrasound profile
Oakwood University did well this year, earning the #39 position. More on Oakwood University
Strayer University Alabama came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Strayer University Alabama
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on James H Faulkner State Community College
Fortis College Dothan placed #42 among Teaching schools in Alabama. See the full Fortis College Dothan profile
Fortis College
Fortis College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Fortis College
Heritage Christian University placed #44 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Get the full Heritage Christian University report
Talladega College did well this year, earning the #45 position. More on Talladega College
J F Drake State Community And Technical College landed the #46 spot in Alabama this year. Read more about J F Drake State Community And Technical College
Faulkner University placed #47 among Teaching schools in Alabama. More on Faulkner University
Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham
Huntingdon College landed the #49 spot in Alabama this year. Read more about Huntingdon College
University Of Alabama System Office placed #50 among Teaching schools in Alabama. Read more about University Of Alabama System Office
More Teaching Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 60 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).