Colleges in Birmingham, Alabama
7 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 7 colleges and universities in Birmingham, Alabama (3 Public, 2 Private nonprofit, 2 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 7 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $19,200 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 30.2%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 88% of applicants.
The median net price in Birmingham runs about $4,033 higher than the Alabama statewide median of $15,168.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Birmingham, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$19,200
After aid
Median grad rate
30.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
88%
Median enrollment
2,900
Undergrad
All colleges in Birmingham
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL | AL | Public, 4-year | $18,749 | 64.2% | 88% | 11,635 | Complete | |
| Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL | AL | Public, 2-year | $9,086 | 25.6% | Not available | 5,470 | Partial | |
| Samford University Birmingham, AL | AL | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $32,622 | 77.0% | 82% | 4,206 | Complete | |
| Lawson State Community College Birmingham, AL | AL | Public, 2-year | $6,275 | 26.6% | Not available | 2,900 | Partial | |
| Strayer University-Alabama Birmingham, AL | AL | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | 1,196 | Partial | |
| Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham, AL | AL | Private for-profit, 2-year | $25,946 | 33.7% | Not available | 613 | Partial | |
| Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham, AL | AL | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $19,651 | 12.5% | 93% | 442 | Complete |
By institution type
Public (3)
Public colleges in Birmingham are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of Alabama at BirminghamNet price: $18,749Grad: 64.2%
- Jefferson State Community CollegeNet price: $9,086Grad: 25.6%
- Lawson State Community CollegeNet price: $6,275Grad: 26.6%
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Birmingham are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Samford UniversityNet price: $32,622Grad: 77.0%
- Herzing University-BirminghamNet price: $19,651Grad: 12.5%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Birmingham operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Strayer University-AlabamaNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
- Fortis Institute-BirminghamNet price: $25,946Grad: 33.7%
Top programs in Birmingham
Most-completed programs across Birmingham colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions24.0% of degrees
- Business18.2% of degrees
- Liberal arts11.8% of degrees
- Biological sciences6.9% of degrees
- Engineering tech4.2% of degrees
- Psychology4.1% of degrees
- Computer science3.6% of degrees
- Education3.2% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Birmingham
Q.How many colleges are in Birmingham, Alabama?
There are 7 colleges and universities in Birmingham, Alabama that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 3 Public, 2 Private nonprofit, 2 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Birmingham?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of Alabama at Birmingham is the largest institution in Birmingham with roughly 11,635 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Birmingham?
Based on average net price after aid, Lawson State Community College is the most affordable institution in Birmingham at $6,275 per year.
Q.Which Birmingham college has the highest graduation rate?
Samford University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Birmingham institutions at 77.0%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Birmingham?
The median net price across all 7 colleges in Birmingham is $19,200 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Birmingham?
Across Birmingham colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Birmingham?
Yes — Birmingham includes 3 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Alabama
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Birmingham that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.