Alabama Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Prospective educators in Alabama must complete a state-approved educator preparation program to become certified teachers. This page is a resource for those exploring teaching degrees across the state. Below you’ll find a comparison table of approved programs, as well as curated lists of top-ranked and affordable options to help guide your search—whether you’re entering college for the first time or changing careers.
Table of Contents
- AL Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 12 Affordable AL Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Alabama Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Alabama Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 25 Alabama teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Alabama traditional certification guide and our Alabama alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama A&M University | Yes | 226 | 16 | 100% | 42 | 5 | N.Av. | $15,373 |
Alabama State University | Yes | 79 | 13 | 100% | 16 | 5 | N.Av. | $13,282 |
Athens State University | Yes | 571 | 205 | 99% | — | — | — | N.Av. |
Auburn University | Yes | 373 | 215 | 96% | 39 | 10 | 90% | $24,028 |
Auburn University-Montgomery | Yes | 155 | 51 | 86% | 72 | 16 | 100% | $14,182 |
Birmingham-Southern College | No | 24 | 7 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $21,474 |
Faulkner University | Yes | 35 | 19 | 100% | 16 | 7 | N.Av. | $19,889 |
Huntingdon College | No | 63 | 16 | 80% | — | — | — | $22,026 |
Jacksonville State University | Yes | 657 | 245 | 87% | 163 | 50 | 92% | $13,616 |
Miles College | Yes | 17 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $14,740 |
Oakwood University | Yes | 16 | 6 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $27,330 |
Samford University | Yes | 91 | 37 | 93% | 34 | 14 | 100% | $31,322 |
Spring Hill College | No | 35 | 17 | 71% | — | — | — | $23,067 |
Stillman College | Yes | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | $19,922 |
Talladega College | No | 3 | 1 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $17,180 |
Troy University | Yes | 275 | 139 | 96% | 81 | 27 | 100% | $13,257 |
Tuskegee University | Yes | 47 | 8 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $36,528 |
University of Alabama | Yes | 429 | 184 | 88% | 26 | 10 | 90% | $20,518 |
University of Alabama-Birmingham | Yes | 203 | 77 | 96% | 158 | 39 | 95% | $16,978 |
University of Alabama-Huntsville | Yes | 89 | 34 | 100% | 32 | 15 | 100% | $16,990 |
University of Mobile | No | 79 | 44 | 97% | 9 | 4 | N.Av. | $22,197 |
University of Montevallo | Yes | 128 | 48 | 81% | 71 | 22 | 100% | $18,702 |
University of North Alabama | Yes | 357 | 136 | 99% | 90 | 28 | 96% | $13,279 |
University of South Alabama | Yes | 465 | 79 | 100% | 137 | 38 | 100% | $14,822 |
University of West Alabama | Yes | 312 | 100 | 94% | 551 | 165 | 98% | $15,685 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Alabama
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 12 most affordable schools have a net price under $18,000.
- Troy University ($13,257)
- University of North Alabama ($13,279)
- Alabama State University ($13,282)
- Jacksonville State University ($13,616)
- Auburn University-Montgomery ($14,182)
- Miles College ($14,740)
- University of South Alabama ($14,822)
- Alabama A&M University ($15,373)
- University of West Alabama ($15,685)
- University of Alabama-Birmingham ($16,978)
- University of Alabama-Huntsville ($16,990)
- Talladega College ($17,180)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Alabama
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Alabama
Our list of the top eight bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Alabama A&M University (100%)
- Alabama State University (100%)
- Faulkner University (100%)
- University of Alabama-Huntsville (100%)
- University of South Alabama (100%)
- Athens State University (99%)
- University of North Alabama (99%)
- University of Mobile (97%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The five Alabama schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Auburn University
- Huntsville Bible College*
- Troy University
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of North Alabama
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/