Alabama has several lower-cost colleges and universities, but tuition varies by residency, delivery format, credit load, program, and student status. In-state rates generally apply only to Alabama residents, while out-of-state and international students may pay nonresident or separate international rates. Students should also check each school’s official website for scholarships, financial aid, and other funding options that may reduce the total cost of attendance.
In this article, we will look at affordable schools in Alabama. International students should review each institution’s international admissions and student accounts pages carefully because tuition, insurance, housing, and student fees may differ from the basic undergraduate tuition rate.
The fees listed below are undergraduate tuition rates in U.S. dollars, shown as published by each institution: per credit hour, per semester, or per year. They do not usually include housing, meals, books, insurance, program fees, or other required charges unless stated. For graduate and post-baccalaureate tuition, consult the university’s official tuition page.
The article below covers more details about the selected schools’ tuition fees, so make sure to read each section carefully.
Affordable Schools in Alabama for International Students
1. Troy University
Located in Troy, Troy University is a public university established in 1887. It has been included in The Princeton Review’s Best Regional Colleges – South list for 21 consecutive years. Troy University remains a lower-cost public university option in Alabama, but students should confirm whether they qualify for in-state, online, out-of-state, or international rates.
Troy University’s undergraduate colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Communication and Fine Arts, College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and the Sorrell College of Business. With Division I athletics and a wide range of undergraduate programs, Troy University offers learning opportunities both in person and online.
2. Athens State University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $263/credit hour (In-State) | $526/credit hour (Out-of-State on-campus) | $263/credit hour (100% online/blended, regardless of residency)
Next on our list of affordable universities in Alabama is Athens State University. This public institution, located in Athens, was founded in 1822 and focuses on degree completion for transfer students. Its tuition structure can be especially useful for students comparing online and on-campus costs because its 100% online/blended undergraduate rate is the same regardless of residency.
Athens State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs through its academic colleges, including arts and sciences, business, and education. Students should confirm program availability, delivery format, and transfer requirements before applying.
3. Columbia Southern University
Located in Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private institution founded in 1993. This university specializes in online education, making it an accommodating option for students living out of state and internationally.
Columbia Southern University offers many online degree and certificate options, and its tuition page states that textbooks and course resources are included in the listed tuition rate. Program options include fields such as occupational safety and health, business, criminal justice, emergency services, and information technology.
4. Jacksonville State University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $360/credit hour or $5,400/semester for 12-18 credits (In-State and 100% Online) | $720/credit hour or $10,800/semester for 12-18 credits (Out-of-State and International)
Jacksonville State University is a public institution founded in 1883. It offers programs through academic colleges that include arts, humanities, and sciences; business and industry; education and professional studies; health professions and wellness; and social and behavioral sciences.
JSU is a career-centered institution and one of the more affordable public university options in Alabama. Its current tuition structure includes a full-time undergraduate block rate for students taking 12 to 18 credits in a semester, although mandatory fees and international student charges may still apply.
5. Selma University
Selma University is a private, historically Black Baptist Bible college in Selma. Founded in 1878, it is affiliated with the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention and focuses on developing students for leadership, ministry, and professional service.
Though few international students have historically attended Selma University, the option for international students to apply is available. Prospective international students should contact the admissions office directly to confirm documentation, tuition, housing, and other cost requirements for the year they plan to enroll.
6. University of West Alabama
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $325/credit hour or $4,875/semester for 15 credits (In-State) | $650/credit hour or $9,750/semester for 15 credits (Out-of-State and International)
The University of West Alabama was founded in 1835 and offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online. Students can study through multiple colleges and divisions, including fields such as business, liberal arts, natural sciences and mathematics, education, nursing, engineering technology, and graduate studies.
Furthermore, UWA offers Division II athletics and reports an average 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio. International students should review the university’s full cost table because the listed tuition rate does not include all required fees, housing, meals, books, or insurance-related expenses.
7. University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $399 – $471/credit hour (In-State) | $994 – $1,175/credit hour (Out-of-State) | $1,083 – $1,264/credit hour (International)
Another outstanding school in the state is the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a public research university that became an independent institution in 1969 after earlier roots connected to the Medical College of Alabama and the University of Alabama Extension Center in Birmingham. UAB is a large research university and academic medical center, so tuition depends on the student’s school or program.
This institution offers undergraduate programs through several academic schools, including arts and sciences, business, education and human sciences, engineering, health professions, nursing, and public health. UAB was also included in The Princeton Review’s 2026 lists for Best South colleges and The Best 391 Colleges.
8. Stillman College
Next on our list of affordable colleges in Alabama is Stillman College, founded in 1876. It is a Presbyterian and liberal arts college based in Tuscaloosa. Stillman has a long and proud history that is closely tied to the education of the Black community in Alabama.
Originally established to help train young Black men for 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 meaningful opportunities for its student population.
Students can choose from programs across Stillman’s academic areas, including business, education, arts, and sciences. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate degrees.
Alabama is a state that houses many lower-cost institutions and offers accessible options for students worldwide. Fees are subject to change under each institution’s rules and standards and do not always reflect living costs, books, health insurance, transportation, or other expenses. Consult official university websites for the most accurate fees based on your student status, program, and application year.
We hope this article on affordable 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 Available Programs for International Students!
