Various institutions in Alabama offer tuition rates on the lower end, which applies to in-state, out-of-state, and international students. It is important to remember that any student can apply for financial aid and various scholarships, which are best located on the university’s official website. These options, if granted, can cut down your tuition fees exponentially.
In this article, we will look at the cheap universities in Alabama. Though costs are always higher for international students, the schools listed in this article present international rates that are not much more inflated than in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Moreover, the fees listed below are presented as a per-year (or two full-time semesters) tuition rate in USD currency. Fees in this article are offered at the undergraduate level only (consult university websites for graduate or post-baccalaureate tuition rates). For many of these institutions, students can opt for part-time education.
Also, the article below covered more details about the selected schools’ tuition fees, so make sure to read them carefully!
Affordable Schools in Alabama for International Students
1. Troy University
Located in Troy, Troy University is a public university established in 1887. For the past 14 years, it has been on the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” list. Troy University is known as a cheap university in Alabama for the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. It has a 1:15 faculty-to-student ratio and an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 13,500.
Troy University’s undergraduate colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Communications and Fine Arts, College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and the Sorrell College of Business. With Division I athletics and over 46 bachelor’s programs, Troy University offers learning opportunities both in person and online.
2. Athens State University
Next on our list of cheap universities in Alabama is Athens State University. This public institution, located in Athens, was established in 1822. On its official website, ASU states that it garners a “friendly, affordable, and convenient” environment. It offers options and flexibility for both full-time and part-time students, making it an accessible choice for any prospective student.
Athens State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Education, with more than 50-degree options. With a 1:15 faculty-to-student ratio, it has an undergraduate enrollment of almost 3,000.
3. Columbia Southern University
Located in Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private institution founded in 1993 with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 15,000. This university specializes in online-only education, making it a particularly accommodating option for students living out of state and internationally.
With over 26 degree options at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, options include specialized programs like emergency medical services, homeland security, cyber security, and occupational safety.
4. Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University is a public institution founded in 1883. It offers over 95 programs through six primary academic schools, including the School of Business and Industry, the School of Education, the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Nursing and Health Professions, the School of Human Services and Social Sciences, and the School of Science.
JSU is known as a career-centered institution and one of the cheapest universities in Alabama. Its faculty-to-student ratio is 1:18, and its undergraduate enrollment is approximately 7,500.
5. Selma University
Selma University is a private Baptist Bible institution founded in 1878. It is known for its diversity and for being a historically black college. A school focusing predominantly on the liberal arts, its programs are geared towards training students for professional growth, with an inherent emphasis on faith and religion.
Though few international students have historically attended Selma University, the option for international students to attend is available. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:19, and there is an undergraduate enrollment of 230.
6. University of West Alabama
The University of West Alabama was founded in 1835, offering over 60 undergraduate programs through its seven colleges, including the College of Business, College of Liberal Arts, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, College of Education, Division of Nursing, Division of Engineering & Technology, and School of Graduate Studies.
Furthermore, UWA offers Division II athletics and has a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:13, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,100.
7. University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $377 – $445/credit hour (In-State) | $938 – $1,108/credit hour (Out-State) | $1,021 – $1,192/credit hour (International)
Another outstanding school in the state is the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a public research university established in 1936. The faculty-to-student ratio at UAB is 1:19, and the undergraduate enrollment is over 13,000. The tuition fee depends on the chosen programs in the selected school.
This institution offers over 56 undergraduate programs, 140 study areas, and 12 academic divisions. Students can also explore over 150 student clubs and organizations at UAB. It also ranked in the top 10 of the Top Young U.S. Universities of Times Higher Education 2018.
8. Huntsville Bible College
Huntsville Bible College, formerly known as Huntsville Baptist Institute, was established in 1986 as a post-secondary biblical institution. It is an institution of higher education that is also registered as a non-profit foundation in the state of Alabama. Its core values emphasize the balance of family, work, and church.
Since its establishment, this cheap college in Alabama has made it its mission to prepare individuals looking to become preachers and church leaders. Over the past 30 years, however, the school has expanded its course offerings, covering various fields of study. It was done to address the demands and needs of its students and the community it has chosen to serve.
Moreover, HBC gives its students much-needed flexibility regarding their class schedules. For instance, students have the option to attend daytime and evening classes. Alternatively, students can also choose Saturday classes and an online learning option.
9. Central Alabama Community College
Central Alabama Community College was established in 1989 following the Alabama State Board of Education’s ruling to merge two educational institutions, Nunelly State Technical College and Alexander City State Junior College. Its main campus is in Alexander City, Alabama.
CACC also has three other campuses: the Childersburg campus, the Millbrook Instructional Site, and the Talladega Center. The college currently hosts around 2,000 students. As an academic institution, it prioritizes the comprehensive and holistic development of its student body.
Moreover, this school offers a conducive educational environment that fosters learning and success while promoting community development and cultural enrichment. CACC also focuses on providing its students with the academic foundations they will need as they pursue their goals.
10. Stillman College
Next on our list of cheapest colleges in Alabama is Stillman College, founded in 1876. It is a Presbyterian and liberal arts college based in Tuscaloosa. At 144 years old, Stillman boasts of a long and proud history that is inextricably tied with the education of the black community of Alabama.
Originally established to help train young black men for their entry into ministry, Stillman College has since expanded its scope and course offerings without losing sight of its heritage and mission. The institution upholds its tradition of academic excellence and seeks to provide the correct type of opportunities for its student population. It offers its students a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science program in 17 disciplines.
Students can choose between three academic schools: business administration, education, and arts and sciences. All of these schools prioritize community engagement and experiential learning. It’s currently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
11. Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden State Community College is a public higher learning institution established in 1925. Present-day Gadsden amalgamates four educational institutions: the Harry M. Ayers Technical College, Gadsden State Technical Institute, Alabama Technical College, and Gadsden State Junior Technical College.
Gadsden State is home to more than 5,200 students and has five campuses in the counties of Etowah, Calhoun, and Cherokee. It offers 70 programs divided into four categories: academic, technical, skills training, and health sciences. These programs are crucial and give students the freedom to choose between directly entering the workforce or transferring to a four-year course in a university.
Over the years, it has played a crucial role in helping its students achieve their educational and professional goals. Its mission is to ensure that all its students are primed for success. It does so by providing them with a quality education that focuses on innovative workforce development, ensuring that the students are well-equipped to deal with the highly competitive job market.
12. Drake State Community and Technical College
Drake State Community and Technical College is a two-year public institution that seeks to uphold a student-centric type of education. As the first and only institution of its kind in Alabama, it has made it its mission to imbue its students with the right combination of technical training and academic knowledge.
Students can choose between a certificate or an Associate Degree in Applied Science. They can choose various programs in advanced manufacturing, general studies, health sciences, workforce development, business administration, computer information systems, and other specialized programs.
Throughout its illustrious history, this cheap college in Alabama has actively participated in developing its local community in Huntsville, Alabama. This development directly resulted from Drake State’s focus on practical learning. It has produced countless skilled workers, technicians, and entrepreneurs in various industries, most of whom play a direct role in developing the local economy.
Alabama is a state that houses many lower-cost institutions and offers many accessible options for students worldwide. Fees may usually be subject to future change per the institution’s rules and standards and do not always reflect living costs and other expenditures. So, consult official university websites for the most accurate fees depending on your situation and the year you apply.
We hope this article on cheap universities in Alabama was helpful. If you are interested in studying in the United States as an international student, feel free to check out the Study in the USA page and Open Courses in the USA!
