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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 SchoolCAEP Accred.?1Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2Net Price3
Alabama A&M UniversityYes22616100%425N.Av.$15,373
Alabama State UniversityYes7913100%165N.Av.$13,282
Athens State UniversityYes57120599%———N.Av.
Auburn UniversityYes37321596%391090%$24,028
Auburn University-MontgomeryYes1555186%7216100%$14,182
Birmingham-Southern CollegeNo247N.Av.———$21,474
Faulkner UniversityYes3519100%167N.Av.$19,889
Huntingdon CollegeNo631680%———$22,026
Jacksonville State UniversityYes65724587%1635092%$13,616
Miles CollegeYes173N.Av.———$14,740
Oakwood UniversityYes166N.Av.———$27,330
Samford UniversityYes913793%3414100%$31,322
Spring Hill CollegeNo351771%———$23,067
Stillman CollegeYes18—————$19,922
Talladega CollegeNo31N.Av.———$17,180
Troy UniversityYes27513996%8127100%$13,257
Tuskegee UniversityYes478N.Av.———$36,528
University of AlabamaYes42918488%261090%$20,518
University of Alabama-BirminghamYes2037796%1583995%$16,978
University of Alabama-HuntsvilleYes8934100%3215100%$16,990
University of MobileNo794497%94N.Av.$22,197
University of MontevalloYes1284881%7122100%$18,702
University of North AlabamaYes35713699%902896%$13,279
University of South AlabamaYes46579100%13738100%$14,822
University of West AlabamaYes31210094%55116598%$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.

  1. Troy University ($13,257)
  2. University of North Alabama ($13,279)
  3. Alabama State University ($13,282)
  4. Jacksonville State University ($13,616)
  5. Auburn University-Montgomery ($14,182)
  6. Miles College ($14,740)
  7. University of South Alabama ($14,822)
  8. Alabama A&M University ($15,373)
  9. University of West Alabama ($15,685)
  10. University of Alabama-Birmingham ($16,978)
  11. University of Alabama-Huntsville ($16,990)
  12. 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/